In his first public statement as prime minister, Boris Johnson made two constitutional pledges that stand in tension with one another.On the one hand, he promised to strengthen the UK, which he described as “the awesome foursome that are incarnated in that red, white and blue flag, who together are so much more than the sum of their parts.”But, in the same speech, he … [Read more...] about A new strategy for the Union
Ireland
Scotland’s citizen assemblies
Polarisation. Paralysis. Politicians at each other’s throats.The crisis engulfing Westminster for the past year has not given the best impression of British parliamentary democracy at work. Theresa May’s failure to get her Brexit deal through after three attempts resulted in her losing her job.Surely Britain can do better? Even members of the public chosen at … [Read more...] about Scotland’s citizen assemblies
Northern Ireland border poll
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland must by law call a poll if it appears likely that a majority of the people of Northern Ireland would vote for Irish unity.This is a key part of the mechanism by which the question of Northern Ireland’s constitutional status was resolved in the Good Friday Agreement. A poll in the Republic of Ireland (the South) would also … [Read more...] about Northern Ireland border poll