Scottish Constitutional Futures Forum https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org RSS feeds for Scottish Constitutional Futures Forum 60 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/10276/Aileen-McHarg-Indyref2-Who-Decides.aspx#Comments 4 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=10276 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=10276&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Aileen McHarg: Indyref2: Who Decides? https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/10276/Aileen-McHarg-Indyref2-Who-Decides.aspx The early months of the 2014 independence referendum were dominated by process issues: who got to decide whether – and if so, on what terms – a referendum would take place?  Following Nicola Sturgeon’s call on Monday for a second independence referendum, it looks like process issues will be equally problematic this time around. Wed, 15 Mar 2017 10:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:10276 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9912/Tom-Mullen-The-Brexit-Litigation-A-Guide-for-the-Perplexed.aspx#Comments 0 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=9912 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=9912&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Tom Mullen: The Brexit Litigation: A Guide for the Perplexed https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9912/Tom-Mullen-The-Brexit-Litigation-A-Guide-for-the-Perplexed.aspx This week, the UK Supreme Court is hearing four days of oral argument (5 – 8 December 2016) in the appeal from the decision of the High Court in R. (Miller) v. Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union [2016] EWHC 2768 (Admin), which decided in effect that the UK Government could not give notice of withdrawal from the European Union (EU) without parliamentary approval. The case has been hugely controversial, not only in the mass media, but also amongst legal commentators who have provided numerous blogs arguing both for and against the correctness of the decision. Tue, 06 Dec 2016 13:44:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:9912 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9786/Aileen-McHarg-Article-50-Parliamentary-Authorisation-and-the-Sewel-Convention.aspx#Comments 4 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=9786 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=9786&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Aileen McHarg: Article 50, Parliamentary Authorisation and the Sewel Convention https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9786/Aileen-McHarg-Article-50-Parliamentary-Authorisation-and-the-Sewel-Convention.aspx The Divisional Court’s ruling in R (Miller) v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union that parliamentary authorisation is required before the Prime Minister can give notice of the UK’s intention to withdraw from the EU under Article 50(2) TEU raises the question of what role, if any, the devolved legislatures will have in that process. Tue, 08 Nov 2016 10:07:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:9786 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9644/Jim-Gallagher-The-Brexit-Referendum-a-Cautionary-Tale-and-an-Unexpected-Opportunity.aspx#Comments 6 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=9644 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=9644&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Jim Gallagher: The Brexit Referendum: a Cautionary Tale and an Unexpected Opportunity https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9644/Jim-Gallagher-The-Brexit-Referendum-a-Cautionary-Tale-and-an-Unexpected-Opportunity.aspx The Brexit referendum offers a cautionary tale and an unexpected opportunity. The cautionary tale is about the referendum as a decision making device. The unexpected opportunity arises from the effects of Brexit on the distribution of power amongst the legislatures and governments of the UK. Mon, 10 Oct 2016 09:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:9644 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9596/Aileen-McHarg-Brexit-Article-50-and-the-Acts-of-Union.aspx#Comments 1 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=9596 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=9596&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Aileen McHarg: Brexit, Article 50 and the Acts of Union https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9596/Aileen-McHarg-Brexit-Article-50-and-the-Acts-of-Union.aspx Several joined cases are to be heard in the High Court in London early next month arguing that the UK Government is not legally entitled to notify the UK’s intention to withdraw from the European Union under Article 50 TEU without the prior approval of the UK Parliament.  Other cases, raising somewhat different arguments, are also due to be heard in Belfast.  Last week one set of the London claimants (the “People’s Challenge Interested Parties” (PCIP)) published their skeleton argument, and the Government has now also been required to publish its grounds of resistance.  Thu, 29 Sep 2016 08:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:9596 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7387/Tom-Mullen-A-Tale-of-Two-Referendums.aspx#Comments 0 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=7387 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=7387&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Tom Mullen: A Tale of Two Referendums https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7387/Tom-Mullen-A-Tale-of-Two-Referendums.aspx One of the consequences of the vote for ‘Brexit’ in the EU referendum on 23rd June has been to focus renewed attention on the Scottish question. In this blog I want to look both forward, to the possibility of a second independence referendum, and backward, to compare the EU referendum with the Scottish independence referendum of 2014. Wed, 10 Aug 2016 16:24:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:7387 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7183/Neil-Walker-In-Out-or-In-Between-Rebooting-Britain-in-Europe-after-the-Brexit-Referendum.aspx#Comments 8 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=7183 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=7183&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Neil Walker: In, Out or In-Between? Rebooting Britain-in-Europe after the 'Brexit' Referendum https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7183/Neil-Walker-In-Out-or-In-Between-Rebooting-Britain-in-Europe-after-the-Brexit-Referendum.aspx Referendums are supposed to provide decisive interventions in the affairs of state. They are designed to produce clear ‘yes or no’ answers to large political questions.  And as these answers also come with a rare level of popular endorsement, this should facilitate their effective and timely implementation. Mon, 06 Jun 2016 20:13:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:7183 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7144/Tom-Mullen-and-Sarah-Craig-The-Immigration-Act-2016-Reserved-Matters-and-the-Sewel-Convention-a-Reply.aspx#Comments 1 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=7144 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=7144&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Tom Mullen and Sarah Craig: The Immigration Act 2016, Reserved Matters and the Sewel Convention: a Reply https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7144/Tom-Mullen-and-Sarah-Craig-The-Immigration-Act-2016-Reserved-Matters-and-the-Sewel-Convention-a-Reply.aspx This is a reply to Iain Jamieson’s post  which was itself a response to a post of ours discussing the  significant changes to Scots landlord and tenant law contained in provisions of the ( then) Immigration Bill. Royal Assent to the Immigration Act 2016 (c.19)( the 2016 Act) has since been granted, and so the way is clear for the provisions under discussion to be implemented. Iain Jamieson’s post proceeds on the assumption that we consider that the enactment of these provisions without the consent of the Scottish Parliament constitutes a breach of the Sewel convention as currently understood. Sat, 28 May 2016 09:52:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:7144 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7055/Iain-Jamieson-Interpretation-of-the-Sewel-Convention-the-Purpose-Test-and-the-Immigration-Bill.aspx#Comments 3 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=7055 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=7055&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Iain Jamieson: Interpretation of the Sewel Convention, the Purpose Test and the Immigration Bill https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7055/Iain-Jamieson-Interpretation-of-the-Sewel-Convention-the-Purpose-Test-and-the-Immigration-Bill.aspx It is at present uncertain whether the Sewel convention, which has now been put on a statutory footing by s. 2 of the Scotland Act 2016, will fall to be interpreted by a court in the same way as any other statutory provision (see my earlier post here). It is therefore opportune to consider how it might be interpreted. Sat, 07 May 2016 20:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:7055 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7001/Iain-Jamieson-Putting-the-Sewel-Convention-on-a-Statutory-Footing.aspx#Comments 1 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=7001 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=7001&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Iain Jamieson: Putting the Sewel Convention on a Statutory Footing https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7001/Iain-Jamieson-Putting-the-Sewel-Convention-on-a-Statutory-Footing.aspx The way in which the UK Government has given effect in section 2 of the Scotland Act 2016 to the recommendation of the Smith Commission that the Sewel convention should be put on a statutory footing gives rise to a number of difficult constitutional questions for the Scottish and UK Parliaments and Governments and the courts.  Wed, 27 Apr 2016 13:37:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:7001 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6959/Tom-Mullen-and-Sarah-Craig-The-Immigration-Bill-Reserved-Matters-and-the-Sewel-Convention.aspx#Comments 4 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=6959 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6959&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Tom Mullen and Sarah Craig: The Immigration Bill, Reserved Matters and the Sewel Convention https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6959/Tom-Mullen-and-Sarah-Craig-The-Immigration-Bill-Reserved-Matters-and-the-Sewel-Convention.aspx The Immigration Bill, which received its third reading in the House of Lords on Tuesday of this week (12/04/16), is a wide-ranging measure, running to 98 sections and 15 schedules ostensibly designed to make immigration control more effective. It included measures on, inter alia, the labour market, residential tenancies, bank accounts, driving licences and taxi licensing, enforcement powers of immigration officers, immigration detention and bail, and transfer of support for migrant children. The Immigration Bill and its precursor, the Immigration Act 2014, are of interest to constitutional lawyers for several reasons. This blog concentrates on one particular issue: the intrusions made by the Bill, and the 2014 Act which it amends, into the devolved competence of the Scottish Parliament ... Fri, 15 Apr 2016 15:33:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6959 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6113/Mike-Gordon-The-Permanence-of-Devolution-Parliamentary-Sovereignty-and-Referendum-Requirements.aspx#Comments 2 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=6113 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6113&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Mike Gordon: The Permanence of Devolution: Parliamentary Sovereignty and Referendum Requirements https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6113/Mike-Gordon-The-Permanence-of-Devolution-Parliamentary-Sovereignty-and-Referendum-Requirements.aspx On 18th September 2015, the anniversary of the referendum on Scottish Independence, David Cameron announced that the UK Government plans to amend and strengthen the Scotland Bill currently progressing through the UK Parliament, to make ‘crystal clear’ that ‘Scottish devolution is woven into the very fabric of our United Kingdom’.  This amendment would be designed to ensure ‘there is absolutely no doubt: Holyrood is here to stay’. Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:51:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6113 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6106/Mark-Elliott-The-Scottish-Parliament-the-Sewel-Convention-and-the-Repeal-of-the-Human-Rights-Act-A-Postscript.aspx#Comments 0 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=6106 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6106&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Mark Elliott: The Scottish Parliament, the Sewel Convention, and the Repeal of the Human Rights Act: A Postscript https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6106/Mark-Elliott-The-Scottish-Parliament-the-Sewel-Convention-and-the-Repeal-of-the-Human-Rights-Act-A-Postscript.aspx Last week, the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, said that “any attempt to repeal or amend the Human Rights Act is likely to require the legislative consent of the Scottish Parliament”.  Mon, 28 Sep 2015 10:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6106 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5862/Barry-Winetrobe-A-Typical-Westminster-Up-EVEL.aspx#Comments 0 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=5862 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5862&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Barry Winetrobe: A Typical Westminster Up-EVEL https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5862/Barry-Winetrobe-A-Typical-Westminster-Up-EVEL.aspx Now is a good time to reflect on some of the constitutional and parliamentary implications of EVEL (‘English Votes for English Laws’), or what used to be known, in its various manifestations over the last 40 years, as the ‘West Lothian Question’ and, more recently, the ‘English Question.’ Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:35:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5862 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5741/Iain-Jamieson-The-Repeal-of-the-Human-Rights-Act-and-the-Sewel-Convention-in-Scoltand.aspx#Comments 4 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=5741 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5741&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Iain Jamieson: The Repeal of the Human Rights Act and the Sewel Convention in Scoltand https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5741/Iain-Jamieson-The-Repeal-of-the-Human-Rights-Act-and-the-Sewel-Convention-in-Scoltand.aspx In his otherwise excellent entry to the UKCLA blog, Mark Elliot states that the repeal of the Human Rights Act (“HRA”) by itself, without anything more, such as its replacement by a British Bill of Rights or the withdrawal of the UK from the ECHR, would not trigger the Sewel Convention which would normally require the consent of the Scottish Parliament. However, I suggest that there may be at least 4 possible arguments for thinking otherwise. Fri, 12 Jun 2015 16:24:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5741 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5663/Heather-Green-The-Alistair-Carmichael-Election-Petition-the-Leak-the-Lie-and-Legal-Remedies.aspx#Comments 6 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=5663 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5663&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Heather Green: The Alistair Carmichael Election Petition: the Leak, the Lie and Legal Remedies https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5663/Heather-Green-The-Alistair-Carmichael-Election-Petition-the-Leak-the-Lie-and-Legal-Remedies.aspx On Friday 29 May 2015, the last possible day for lodging an election petition following the May 7 general election, some electors from Orkney and Shetland commenced their legal challenge trying to unseat Alistair Carmichael MP. Sun, 31 May 2015 19:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5663 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5597/Christine-Bell-Human-Rights-Act-Repeal-and-Devolution-Quick-Points-and-Further-Resources-on-Scotland-and-Northern-Ireland.aspx#Comments 0 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=5597 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5597&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Christine Bell: Human Rights Act Repeal and Devolution: Quick Points and Further Resources on Scotland and Northern Ireland https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5597/Christine-Bell-Human-Rights-Act-Repeal-and-Devolution-Quick-Points-and-Further-Resources-on-Scotland-and-Northern-Ireland.aspx In the past few days repeal of the Human Rights Act, and in particular its devolution implications have attracted a lot of attention.  To-day a new report is launched from a legal expert seminar in April 2015, on the legal implications of repeal of the human rights act (see below).  The report provides the full chapter and verse, but here are a few quick points on the devolution implications, with further more detailed and reasoned resources below. Wed, 13 May 2015 21:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5597 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5594/Chris-McCorkindale-Echo-Chamber-the-2015-General-Election-at-Holyrood-a-word-on-Sewel.aspx#Comments 11 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=5594 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5594&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Chris McCorkindale: Echo Chamber: the 2015 General Election at Holyrood – a word on Sewel https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5594/Chris-McCorkindale-Echo-Chamber-the-2015-General-Election-at-Holyrood-a-word-on-Sewel.aspx In those heady pre-election days, when polls were king and a hung parliament seemed inevitable (a week, it seems, really is a long time in politics), there was much excited/exasperated (delete as appropriate) talk of a ‘progressive alliance’ of SNP, Green and Plaid Cymru MPs joining forces to support or to form a government with the Labour Party. Wed, 13 May 2015 09:23:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5594 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5228/Tom-Mullen-and-Chris-Gill-Scottish-Tribunals-Smith-Commission-Proposes-Major-Transfer-of-Jurisdiction-to-Scotland.aspx#Comments 0 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=5228 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5228&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Tom Mullen and Chris Gill: Scottish Tribunals: Smith Commission Proposes Major Transfer of Jurisdiction to Scotland https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/5228/Tom-Mullen-and-Chris-Gill-Scottish-Tribunals-Smith-Commission-Proposes-Major-Transfer-of-Jurisdiction-to-Scotland.aspx In a dramatic moment during last year’s Scottish independence referendum campaign, the three main UK political parties made a “vow” to the people of Scotland, that substantial further powers would be devolved to Scotland in the event of a ‘No’ vote. To deliver the vow, Lord Smith of Kelvin was appointed to convene cross-party talks and facilitate an inclusive engagement process leading to recommendations for further devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament within the UK. The Smith Commission report proposed enhancing devolved powers over a wide range of areas including tribunals. Tue, 24 Feb 2015 10:23:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5228 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4803/Nicola-McEwen-The-Problem-of-Interdependence-in-the-New-Devolution-Agreement.aspx#Comments 1 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=4803 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=4803&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Nicola McEwen: The Problem of Interdependence in the New Devolution Agreement https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4803/Nicola-McEwen-The-Problem-of-Interdependence-in-the-New-Devolution-Agreement.aspx When Gordon Brown made his key intervention in the final days of the referendum campaign, he promised a new devolution settlement which would be "as close to federalism as you can have in a nation where one part forms 85% of the population". Evaluating that claim requires a brief discussion of what federalism entails. Fri, 05 Dec 2014 15:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:4803 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4766/Aileen-McHarg-Energy-Policy-Devolution-and-the-Smith-Commission.aspx#Comments 0 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=4766 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=4766&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Aileen McHarg: Energy Policy Devolution and the Smith Commission https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4766/Aileen-McHarg-Energy-Policy-Devolution-and-the-Smith-Commission.aspx While the recommendations of the Smith Commission fall well short of the submissions made by the pro-independence parties (seeTom Mullen’s post on this blog for analysis), it is also clear that the process has produced more extensive proposals for further devolution than any pre-referendum agreement between the unionist parties would have done.  Energy policy is a case in point. Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:51:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:4766 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4749/Christine-Bell-A-Quick-Gender-Audit-of-the-Smith-Commission-Report.aspx#Comments 1 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=4749 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=4749&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Christine Bell: A Quick Gender Audit of the Smith Commission Report https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4749/Christine-Bell-A-Quick-Gender-Audit-of-the-Smith-Commission-Report.aspx Clearly every aspect of the Smith Commission Report is of importance to both women and men.  What follows, is an attempt to assess where and how women have been specifically addressed, directly or indirectly, in the Report and its proposals. Mon, 01 Dec 2014 19:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:4749 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4736/Stephen-Tierney-Is-a-Federal-Britain-Now-Inevitable.aspx#Comments 2 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=4736 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=4736&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Stephen Tierney: Is a Federal Britain Now Inevitable? https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4736/Stephen-Tierney-Is-a-Federal-Britain-Now-Inevitable.aspx The Smith Commission Report issued today promises a restructuring of the United Kingdom which may prove to be more significant than the devolution settlement of 1997-98 itself; the acquisition of extensive tax and welfare powers would make Scotland one of themost autonomous regions in western Europe. Thu, 27 Nov 2014 17:56:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:4736 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4568/Christine-Bell-Separation-or-Sharing-The-Critical-Choice-for-the-Union-and-Smith.aspx#Comments 1 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=4568 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=4568&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Christine Bell: Separation or Sharing? The Critical Choice for the Union (and Smith) https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4568/Christine-Bell-Separation-or-Sharing-The-Critical-Choice-for-the-Union-and-Smith.aspx The critical choice for the Smith Commission and any subsequent political negotiations over devolution in Scotland and beyond, is between a Union based on a rationale of separation, where ‘sharing’ of power across the UK at Westminster will require to be justified on an on-going basis in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy; or a Union based on a rationale of sharing, which views the Union as existing because it encapsulates and can protect a set of common baseline values to which constituent parts of the Union subscribe to and have a stake in.  Tue, 04 Nov 2014 19:14:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:4568 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4550/Alan-Page-Its-Not-Just-About-the-Scottish-Parliaments-Powers-.aspx#Comments 0 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=1767&ModuleID=2879&ArticleID=4550 https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=4550&PortalID=29&TabID=1767 Alan Page: It's Not Just About the Scottish Parliament's Powers ... https://www.scottishconstitutionalfutures.org/OpinionandAnalysis/ViewBlogPost/tabid/1767/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/4550/Alan-Page-Its-Not-Just-About-the-Scottish-Parliaments-Powers-.aspx The Scottish Parliament was not just about ‘the sovereign right of the Scottish people to determine the form of Government best suited to their needs.’ It was also about the subjection of the government of Scotland to democratic scrutiny and control. ‘The Scottish Government will be much more accountable to the Scottish Parliament than the [UK] Government is to the Parliament at Westminster.’ Sun, 02 Nov 2014 20:47:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:4550