Tag: Iain McLean
The Government’s narrow EVEL proposals are likely to repeat the mistakes of the past
In the wake of the Referendum on Scottish Independence, the Prime Minister announced that he would be reforming the operation of the House of Commons in order to disqualify Scottish Members of Parliament from voting on legislation deemed to be ‘English only’. On July 2nd, the Leader of the House of Commons Chris Grayling announced […]
The best of Democratic Audit’s 2014 coverage of Scotland’s democratic future
2014 was a momentous year for democracy north of the border, with long serving Alex Salmond stepping down to be replaced by the first female First Minister Nichola Sturgeon. More dramatically still, the country decided its future, opting to stay within the UK, despite a spirited ‘Yes’ campaign which can legimitamtely claim to have changed […]
The Smith Commission Report is short, but packs a big punch
The Smith Commission recently announced its recommendations for the future of Scottish governance. Iain McLean argues that the Commission has astutely wrought concessions from the main political parties involved, and packs quite a punch for a short (28 page) document. The Report of the Smith Commission on further devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament […]
“Not bad for a 28-page report”: Experts respond to the Smith Commission’s proposals on Scottish governance
The Smith Commission yesterday published its official recommendations for the future of Scottish governance following the Scottish independence referendum. Democratic Audit asked Iain McLean, Coree Brown, Norman Bonney, Craig McAngus and Paul Cairney to give their views on the proposals and their implications. (Part 2 can be found here.) Similar PostsThe best of Democratic Audit’s 2014 coverage of […]
Debating Scotland’s transition costs: A response to Iain McLean’s critique
Iain McLean’s welcome comments can help us to see more clearly where some real uncertainties lie, says Patrick Dunleavy. Underneath the flim-flam of debate, the scope of debate about transition costs has focused down. Similar PostsThe best of Democratic Audit’s 2014 coverage of Scotland’s democratic futureThe Smith Commission Report is short, but packs a big punchWhat will it […]
What will it really cost to set up an independent Scotland? A critique of Patrick Dunleavy’s report
Iain McLean comments on a report by Patrick Dunleavy that claims that, in the event of a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum, there would be immediate set-up costs of only £200 million in stark contrast to the UK government’s own estimate of £2.7 billion. Iain argues that the number is likely to be in the area of £1.5 to […]
Scotland’s draft interim constitution: clear-sighted and sensible, or an SNP power-play?
The Scottish Government recently published The Scottish Independence Bill: A Consultation on an Interim Constitution for Scotland, the document which would form the basis of the constitutional arrangements for Scotland in the event of a ‘Yes’ vote in the forthcoming independence referendum. Democratic Audit asked expert constitutional thinkers to give their views on whether the […]
William Gladstone might have the answer to the ‘West Lothian’ question
The West Lothian Question has been a constant thorn in the side of devolution efforts for over 100 years. The McKay Commission was tasked with finding a meaningful answer, and finally reported in March 2013. Iain McLean, in reviewing the report, argues policy-makers should revisit a proposal which was explicitly ruled out of the commission’s terms […]
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