Building sub-national government
Strong sub-national parties do not automatically drive apart voter preferences at simultaneous multi-level elections
Do electoral preferences in democracies differ when voters cast their ballots at general and regional electoral arenas on the same day, and if so, why? Valenyna Romanava argues that this isn’t necessarily the case, with evidence from Belgium, France, Ukraine and Sweden showing that there is no single iron-clad rule in this regard. Similar PostsThe rise of multi-party politics […]
Scottish independence referendum: voters should decide on the basis of what is best for everyone affected
On what basis should Scottish voters make their decision to leave the United Kingdom or the stay? Kieran Oberman urges them to consider what is best for everyone affected by the referendum, wherever they live, arguing that right-wing internationalists have good cause to vote yes, while their counterparts on the left have good cause to vote no. Similar […]
What the independence referendums in Québec suggest about Scotland
The current dynamics of the debate in Scotland recalls very much what Québec experienced in its referendums of 1980 and 1995, writes André Lecours. While there are striking similarities, such as the bulk of the argument against independence resting on the potential economic and financial implications of secession, there are also important differences, such as the absence of […]
The emerging political consensus around local growth is encouraging, but now the hard work really begins
Devolution to local and regional government has been in vogue recently, with George Osborne and Ed Miliband each voicing their preferences for a new settlement between central and local government. Here, Neil McInroy argues that that is all well and good, but warm words are only a start, and that think tanks, campaigners, businesses and […]
A new UK federalist settlement may sound like an attractive idea, but it isn’t the answer to our democratic malaise
The notion of a federal solution to the UK’s current constitutional imbalances, and as a possible alternative to outright Scottish separation has recent entered the political agenda, with Gordon Brown and David Marquand in particular putting the case. Here, Gerry Hassan says that while it sounds like an intuitively attractive proposition, federalism ignores the question of […]
The main parties’ race to the top on local devolution promises much – but will it deliver?
The Conservatives’ proposals for ‘Northern powerhouses’ and Labour’s Adonis report illustrate the promising nature of the emerging consensus on delivering meaningful devolution of powers from central to local and regional government. Here, the Chief Executive of the Centre for Cities think tank Alexandra Jones argues that we should encourage these developments, but also keep the […]
Five minutes with John Curtice: “In over 60 opinion polls, only one has ever seen a majority in favour of Scottish independence”
Strathclyde University’s polling and public opinion expert Professor John Curtice recently spoke at an LSE event on the forthcoming Scottish independence referendum. Democratic Audit’s Sean Kippin took the chance to speak to him. They discussed the prospect of a ‘Yes’ vote, the demographics at play in the election, and an independent Scotland’s party make-up. Similar PostsYes or no, the […]
Local civic participation can help reinforce the legitimacy of the democratic system
Does citizen involvement with politics and local issues influence the way that citizens view their democratic institutions? According to Carolina Johnson, the answer is yes, with new research showing that getting involved in a local level helps to reinforce the legitimacy of political and democratic institutions and creates more democratically minded citizens. In the context […]
Labour’s plans for city and regional devolution are welcome, but don’t go far enough
On Tuesday, Lord Andrew Adonis released his report on regional growth in the UK for the Labour Party, which was welcomed by Ed Miliband as ‘long-term plan to show that there can be jobs in every part of country’. In responding to the plans, regional economic policy expert David Bailey argues that the plans represent […]
The Scottish Parliament should not have sovereign power because it serves the Scottish Government rather than holding it to account
The closest thing that the UK has to a written constitution is the legal and political fact of the sovereignty of the Westminster Parliament, something which remains the case in Scotland even since the creation of the Scottish Parliament in 2001. However, recent events, according to Norman Bonney, show that the subordination of the Parliament […]
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