Achieving accountable government
The UK electoral system now decisively favours the Conservatives
The previous Coalition government attempted to redraw the boundaries of the UK’s Parliamentary constituencies in order to remove a perceived bias against them, and towards the Labour Party. Though contentious, it was reckoned that the system made it harder to win a majority for the Conservatives than it did for Labour. Tim Smith argues that […]
Book Review: The Problem-solving Capacity of the Modern State
The early 21st century has presented considerable challenges to the problem-solving capacity of the contemporary state in the industrialised world. Among the many uncertainties, anxieties and tensions, it is, however, the cumulative challenge of fiscal austerity, demographic developments, and climate change that presents the key test for contemporary states. This book considers the state of […]
A response to Daniel Hannan: a “UK Sovereignty Act” would make no legal sense
Do we need a UK Parliamentary “Sovereignty” Act, as proposed by the Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan on ConservativeHome, to reassert sovereignty over the European Union? Mark Elliott argues that such an Act might make political sense for the Government, but that Hannan’s argument is based upon fundamental misconceptions about the legal status of the UK and EU’s […]
Political parties need to take greater responsibility for Pakistani and Bangladeshi clan politicking in order to protect our democracy
Recent controversies in local elections in Tower Hamlets and the General Election in Bradford West have highlighted the issue of voter fraud and the behaviour of ‘biraderi’ (Pakistani and Bangladeshi ‘clan’) networks. Eleanor Hill argues that political parties have a responsibility to act in order the prevent potential future controversies. Similar PostsThe contest in Bradford […]
EVEL, Brexit, and the SNP: what does the 2015 election mean for the House of Commons?
The Conservatives shocked everyone by winning a small majority at the 2015 General Election, despite predictions of a hung parliament and the possibility of constitutional wrangling over who had legitimacy to form the next Government. As they bed down for another five years, Louise Thompson looks at what their unexpected victory means for parliament, focussing […]
Book Review: Measuring Happiness: the Economics of Wellbeing
This book examines the evolution of happiness research, considering the famous “Easterlin Paradox,” which found that people’s average life satisfaction didn’t seem to depend on their income. But they question whether happiness research can measure what needs to be measured. Laura Kudrna argues this book is well worth a read for its excellent coverage of much […]
The UK is at a constitutional crossroads and major change is needed if it is to work effectively
The The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law undertook a major Review of the implications of devolution as it is developing for the UK as a whole. Here, Alan Trench summarises the main findings of the report, and highlights its specific proposals for a Charter of the Union, a reformed system of funding, and […]
Britain’s EU membership will now be the subject of several years of negotiation and debate
Last week’s election of a Conservative majority government paves the way for a referendum on Britain’s future in the European Union. Anthony Salamone outlines some of the challenges ahead for the upcoming renegotiation and referendum. Similar PostsWhat did ITV’s EU referendum debate say about the role of women in the campaign?A British exit would harm […]
How do nationalist parties reform their organisational profiles? The cases of Plaid Cymru and the SNP compared
The SNP swept Scotland’s electoral map at the General Election, winning almost all of the Westminster seats on offer. But what of its organisation? Craig McAngus argues that ‘stateless-nationalist-regionalist’ parties like the SNP and Plaid Cymru have, in response to the introduction of devolved assemblies and the incentive of power, become more ‘normal’ in organisational […]
Cameron’s post-election reshuffle: a historical perspective
Following his return to Downing Street at the head of a majority Conservative government, Cameron had no choice but to conduct another wide-ranging cabinet reshuffle. Elections represent obvious punctuations in government, and post-election reshuffles are a chance to inject fresh blood and new energy into Whitehall. In this article, Nicholas Allen looks at reshuffles from a historical perspective. Similar PostsWho will succeed […]
Democratic Audit's core funding is provided by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. Additional funding is provided by the London School of Economics.