The UK's Changing Democracy

The UK's Changing Democracy
Author: Patrick Dunleavy
Publisher: LSE Press
Total Pages: 521
Release: 2018-11-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1909890464

The UK’s Changing Democracy presents a uniquely democratic perspective on all aspects of UK politics, at the centre in Westminster and Whitehall, and in all the devolved nations. The 2016 referendum vote to leave the EU marked a turning point in the UK’s political system. In the previous two decades, the country had undergone a series of democratic reforms, during which it seemed to evolve into a more typical European liberal democracy. The establishment of a Supreme Court, adoption of the Human Rights Act, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish devolution, proportional electoral systems, executive mayors and the growth in multi-party competition all marked profound changes to the British political tradition. Brexit may now bring some of these developments to a juddering halt. The UK’s previous ‘exceptionalism’ from European patterns looks certain to continue indefinitely. ‘Taking back control’ of regulations, trade, immigration and much more is the biggest change in UK governance for half a century. It has already produced enduring crises for the party system, Parliament and the core executive, with uniquely contested governance over critical issues, and a rapidly changing political landscape. Other recent trends are no less fast-moving, such as the revival of two-party dominance in England, the re-creation of some mass membership parties and the disruptive challenges of social media. In this context, an in-depth assessment of the quality of the UK’s democracy is essential. Each of the 2018 Democratic Audit’s 37 short chapters starts with clear criteria for what democracy requires in that part of the nation’s political life and outlines key recent developments before a SWOT analysis (of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) crystallises the current situation. A small number of core issues are then explored in more depth. Set against the global rise of debased semi-democracies, the book’s approach returns our focus firmly to the big issues around the quality and sustainability of the UK’s liberal democracy.

Reform of the House of Lords

Reform of the House of Lords
Author: Philip Norton
Publisher: Manchester University Press
Total Pages: 88
Release: 2017-06-12
Genre:
ISBN: 9781526119230

This book is the only one of its kind, providing a clear and exhaustive analysis of the different approaches to the future of Britain's second chamber. The House of Lords has long been the subject of proposals for reform some successful, others not and calls for the existing membership to be replaced by elected members have been a staple of political debate. The debate has been characterised by heat rather than light, proponents and opponents of change often talking past one another. This work gives shape to the debate, drawing out the role of the House of Lords, previous attempts at reform, and the different approaches to the future of the House. It develops the argument for each and analyses the current state of the debate about the future of the upper house in Britain's political system.

An Elected Second Chamber

An Elected Second Chamber
Author: Great Britain. Ministry of Justice
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 144
Release: 2008
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780101743822

This white paper sets out the Government's proposals for a reformed second chamber. It stems from the constructive discussions in a Cross-Party Group on House of Lords Reform, which followed the March 2007 Parliamentary votes on the proposals contained in the February 2007 white paper ("The House of Lords: reform", Cm. 7027, ISBN 9780101702720). The Group reached consensus on a number of key issues, and this paper states where agreement was not reached. The white paper sets the context for decisions on House of Lords reforms and goes on to consider issues around, and options for, electoral systems. The effect of different electoral systems is examined against two scenarios: that the House is either 100 per cent or 80 per cent elected. The paper then looks at the powers of the second chamber. It suggests possible arrangements for any appointed elements, but there are no concrete proposals yet. Finally the white paper addresses other issues around the operation of a reformed second chamber and explores transitional arrangements.

The Standing Orders of the House of Lords Relating to Public Business [2005]

The Standing Orders of the House of Lords Relating to Public Business [2005]
Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Lords
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 56
Release: 2005-05-23
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9780104007082

This publication contains the Standing Orders of the House of Lords which set out information on the procedure and working of the House, under a range of headings including: Lords and the manner of their introduction; excepted hereditary peers; the Speaker; general observances; debates; arrangement of business; bills; divisions; committees; parliamentary papers; public petitions; privilege; making or suspending of Standing Orders.

Second Chambers

Second Chambers
Author: Nicholas Baldwin
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 198
Release: 2001
Genre: Legislative bodies
ISBN: 0714651443

This work examines Second Chambers, which can be found in 38 per cent of the parliaments of the world, but have only rarely been the focus of attention from politicians and have almost totally been ignored by academics.

Comparative Constitutional Design

Comparative Constitutional Design
Author: Tom Ginsburg
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 407
Release: 2012-02-27
Genre: Law
ISBN: 1107020565

Assesses what we know - and do not know - about comparative constitutional design and particular institutional choices concerning executive power and other issues.

A House for the Future

A House for the Future
Author: Great Britain. Royal Commission on the Reform of the House of Lords
Publisher:
Total Pages: 34
Release: 2000
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:

The departure of most of the hereditary peers from the House of Lords has made it necessary to focus on the basic questions: what is the role of the second chamber, and what is the rational base on which it should be constructed?

Oregon Blue Book

Oregon Blue Book
Author: Oregon. Office of the Secretary of State
Publisher:
Total Pages: 232
Release: 1895
Genre: Oregon
ISBN: