Search Results for: devo

After the ‘No’: Constitutional Reform must not be by the Elites for the Elites

By Martin Smith, Sandra León and Dave Richards Filed Under: All posts Posted: September 24, 2014

The constitutional debate unleashed by the Scottish Independence Referendum has revealed many of the contradictions and problems of the British political system. The result effectively undermines the notion of the Westminster model and the underlying principle of Parliamentary (in realty Executive) Sovereignty. The Westminster model is based on an idea of indivisible sovereignty, accompanied by […]

After the ‘No’: Dynamics of Scottish Nationalism?

By Colin Talbot Filed Under: All posts Posted: September 19, 2014

This is the first of what will hopefully be a series of short posts examining various constitutional, policy and political consequences of the ‘No’ vote in the Scottish referendum. Where will the SNP go now? They can hardly go for “business as usual” approach, now independence is off the agenda for an unspecified period. There are […]

All Public Services are Local: why we need smaller, and bigger, local government (in England)

By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted: September 12, 2014

Here’s a simple question: why does the UK have a single agency, HM Revenue and Customs, to collect most taxes? This idea is so embedded in the UK political psyche that it is never, ever, questioned. But there are clear examples of alternatives that work perfectly well. In Denmark, for example, local government collects most […]

Why the British National Party didn’t get more votes

By Stephen Ashe Filed Under: Ethnicity, Featured Posted: July 24, 2014

A lot has been written about who votes for the extreme right-wing British National Party – but little about why more people don’t vote for it. Stephen Ashe examines what the lack of support for the BNP means for anti-racism and anti-fascism. Between 2001 and 2009, more than 50 BNP councillors were elected and the […]

A Grand Plan for the North needs to start with dreams

By Ed Cox Filed Under: Featured, Urban Posted: July 18, 2014

With growing calls for the UK to reverse an historic trend of chronic under investment in infrastructure, IPPR North’s Ed Cox believes it’s time to seek out the best and the brightest big ideas. The UK has “chronically underinvested in infrastructure, trailing that of other leading global economies.” That was the damning verdict of the RSA’s City […]

Trust Teachers – The first Manchester Education Debate

By Andrew Howes Filed Under: All posts Posted: June 30, 2014

Educationalists, teachers and academics have taken part in the first of a series of debates about the future of our schools in the run up to the 2015 election. Dr Andrew Howes pulls together some key strands from the discussion. If one in four good, trained teachers is saying ‘I’m leaving teaching, I need a […]

How can experiences of women negotiators help us achieve equity in times of change?

By Laura McLeod and Rachel Johnson Filed Under: Featured Posted: June 20, 2014

The demand to include women in political negotiations is slowly becoming an international norm. To maximise the impact of inclusion, it is important to learn from women negotiators’ experiences to date, explain Dr Laura McLeod and Dr Rachel Johnson. There is widespread recognition that women need to be involved in negotiation processes – ranging from […]

Will tomorrow be a turning point in British politics?

By Ed Cox Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted: May 21, 2014

This year’s European elections and Scottish referendum may signify a more profound change in British politics than the General Election in 2015, writes Ed Cox. Taken together, they present an opportunity for the people of the United Kingdom to send a clear message to the mainstream political parties. Tomorrow’s local and European elections are not […]

Green policymakers should take a cue from Quorn’s success

By Claire Hoolohan Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted: April 30, 2014

Last week Quorn announced it will invest £30m in its County Durham factory following significant sales growth in recent years. Claire Hoolohan argues that Quorn’s success is a signal to governments, policy makers, academics, and others that the time has arrived to move forward on the sustainable food agenda. Reducing the amount of meat in […]

UK science is under threat – from English higher education policy

By Kieron Flanagan Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted: January 8, 2014

The UK science base must be protected from poorly thought out and badly implemented English higher education reforms, writes Dr Kieron Flanagan. The UK science community has reacted with dismay to the news, leaked to the Guardian, that the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (which makes science policy for the UK and provides funds for the UK wide […]