The fact that the race for the US Presidency is essentially (and unusually) between members of the US Senate (Obama, Clinton and McCain) does serve to emphasise the differences between the UK second chamber (the Lords) and the US second chamber (the Senate). One is not likely to see a fight for the premiership between…
Both Houses are not sitting this week. A few years ago, the House of Commons introduced a ‘constituency week’ in February for MPs. As the House of Lords now adopts the same recess dates as the Commons (though that may change when business is heavy), it too now rises for the same week. A little…
The Barnett formula is the name given to the formula that determines the distribution of public funds in the different parts of the UK. The way the formula works, Scotland receives more per capita (as does Northern Ireland and Wales) than England. It is controversial, not least in terms of the current debate about the…
