Fewer Special Advisers run for Parliament than is generally thought, but those that do are quick to climb the ladder

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 16:18:45 +0000

Special Advisers becoming Members of Parliament is a phenomenon seen as symptomatic of a wider ‘professionalisation’ of British politics. Looking at the career progress of those Special Advisers who served between 1979 and 2010, Max Goplerud shows that they do not all seek a berth in Parliament, though those that do tend to experience rapid career progression.  […]

Can the Union Survive? (It’s about the British identity, stupid. But what is it? )

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 13:29:13 +0000

In the latest of a series of British Association/Royal Society of Edinburgh seminars, the question was debated in sparkling style by a stellar panel of Vernon Bogdanor John Curtice, Michael Keating and Adam Tomkins. This summary requires no additional commentary. Vernon Bogdanor thought the decision on independence was more momentous than was admitted by either side. Both […]

The Byles/Steel bill – unless amended – holds grave dangers for the Lords

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 18:06:28 +0000

On Friday 28 February Dan Byles’ Private Member’s Bill on Lords reform completed its Commons passage. It is now in the Lords, and will be sponsored by David Steel. The bill, which allows retirement from the Lords and expulsion of non-attendees and serious criminals, has been presented as a small, uncontroversial “housekeeping” measure. But as […]