The Scottish Government lifts the veil on intergovernmental relations
This post also appears on Alan Trench’s blog, Devolution Matters, where it can be found here. The Scottish Government has clearly, in its last few weeks, decided to stop playing nicely when it comes to...
View ArticleBetter intergovernmental relations for better devolution
Alan Trench calls for a more systematic approach to intergovernmental relations between the devolved and UK governments. He argues that leaving matters to be handled in ad hoc, reactive, unstructured...
View ArticleNegotiating Brexit in a devolved state: the dynamics of intergovernmental...
Theresa May has repeatedly declared her commitment to involving the devolved governments in the Brexit process. In this post, Nicola McEwen discusses the likely dynamics of Brexit negotiations between...
View ArticleA reset of intergovernmental relations on Brexit is needed to break the...
The EU Withdrawal Bill has exacerbated the already serious tensions between the UK and the devolved governments over Brexit. Akash Paun argues that the underlying problem is a lack of trust between the...
View ArticleIntergovernmental relations and the English question: options for reform
A week after the state of intergovernmental relations (IGR) in the UK was highlighted by the UK government’s law officers standing in opposition to their devolved counterparts in the UK Supreme Court,...
View ArticleBrexit and the territorial constitution: déjà vu all over again?
Brexit has led to conflict between Westminster and the devolved administrations, with the UK Attorney General recently going as far as referring the Welsh and Scottish Continuity bills to the UK...
View ArticleIntergovernmental relations: a blueprint for reform
Since the Brexit referendum in 2016, the case for an overhaul of the management of intergovernmental relations has become much stronger. Jack Sheldon explains that in a new report, he and his...
View ArticleUnderstanding English identity and institutions in a changing United Kingdom
The current devolution settlement has left England as the only UK country subject to permanent direct rule from Westminster, which has the dual role of governing both the UK and England. In their new...
View ArticleThe next PM’s territorial challenges
The next stages of Brexit are now set to happen under a new Prime Minister. The chosen candidate will have to work with governments in Wales and Scotland that are openly critical. Northern Ireland may...
View ArticleThe Scottish Parliament at twenty
The Scottish Parliament is now two decades old, making it a good time to take stock of its performance and how it might seek to change its processes, behaviours and attitude following the political...
View ArticleDeal or no deal, the UK government needs a new strategy for the Union
Almost seven months after the EU and UK agreed to extend the Article 50 process, a new Brexit deal has been agreed. Akash Paun argues that whether the new deal passes parliament or not, the Brexit...
View ArticleFive key questions about coronavirus and devolution
The coronavirus is a once in a generation event that has required an almost unprecedented response from government at all levels, from Westminster to West Lothian. Akash Paun argues that it has raised...
View ArticleMoving Westminster into a multi-parliament world: the Commons takes a fresh...
The UK’s devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales celebrated their twenty-first anniversary this year. Their powers have changed several times since their creation, but much of...
View ArticleThe sovereignty conundrum and the uncertain future of the Union
Brexit has led to numerous clashes between London and the devolved governments, raising fundamental questions about the very nature of the United Kingdom, in a context where the European Union is no...
View ArticleGreen shoots for the Union? The joint review of intergovernmental relations
A review of intergovernmental relations conducted jointly by the UK government and the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales was published last week. Michael Kenny and Jack...
View ArticleSunak’s standards slipping
Today the Unit published Monitor 84, providing analysis of constitutional events over the last four months. In this post, which also serves as the issue’s lead article, Meg Russell and Alan Renwick...
View ArticleRebuilding and renewing the constitution: the territorial constitution
A Constitution Unit report by Meg Russell, Hannah White and Lisa James, published jointly with the Institute for Government, provides a menu of constitutional reform options ahead of political parties’...
View ArticleEighteen deals and counting: finding meanings in England’s devolution deals
Mark Sandford argues that devolution within England offers a means of improving policy outcomes with minimal additional cost, but notes that the detailed practicalities of it will have as much effect...
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