Monthly Archives: April 2020
The Impact of Legislatures
In an earlier post, I drew attention to the forthcoming publication of The Impact of Legislatures, a volume to mark the 25th anniversary of the publication of The Journal of Legislative Studies. The journal appeared in print in 1995, the … Continue reading
Prime Ministers exploiting informal space
My research recently has encompassed the significance of informal space in legislatures, that is where members mix informally. Analysis of the consequences of legislatures has tended to focus on the use of formal space – the chamber and committee rooms. … Continue reading
When does a practice become a convention?
One of the topics covered in Governing Britain is that of constitutional conventions. I distinguish between conventions and practice. The former are rules accepted as binding by those at whom they are directed. They are complied with because they are … Continue reading
The role of First Secretary of State
Dominic Raab, as First Secretary of State, has been designated by the Prime Minister to stand in for him while he recovers from Coronavirus. Mr Raab is also Foreign Secretary and there have been calls for him to step aside … Continue reading
You read it here first…
Yesterday (Wednesday), both The Times Red Box and Daily Telegraph carried articles by me explaining who stands in for the Prime Minister when the occupant of No. 10 is temporarily unavailable and what happens if there is a vacancy in … Continue reading
RIP Lord Armstrong of Ilminster
I was very sad to hear the news of the death of Lord Armstrong of Ilminster. Although physically ailing, he was mentally fit and continued to attend the Lords. I saw him regularly when he was Chancellor of the University … Continue reading
The value of dissenting opinions
In some judicial systems, there is no provision for judges to offer opinions dissenting from those of the majority. It is different in both the US and UK, where some notable dissenting opinions have been delivered in the highest courts. … Continue reading
The Norton View 