Tag Archives: referendums

Debating referendums

Lord Norton 03/05/2011 – 10:57 pm

This evening, the Hansard Society organised a seminar on referendums.  There was a panel comprising Professor Vernon Bogdanor, the journalist Steve Richards, and me - standing in for Peter Riddell, the Society's chair, who was unable to attend. It was a well attended meeting.  Vernon Bogdanor put the case for referendums, though seeing little merit in Thursday's referendum.  Steve Richards […]

Written at 10:57 pm on 03/05/2011, by Lord Norton


Also tagged: , ,

Comments (13)

The EU Bill

Lord Norton 18/03/2011 – 5:28 pm

The Constitution Committee's report on the European Union Bill has just been published.  To quote from the press release: "The House of Lords Constitution Committee warns that the EU Bill represents a radical step-change for the UK in adopting referendum provisions on such a large scale. This is inconsistent with the Government’s statement that referendums are most appropriately used to deci […]

Written at 5:28 pm on 18/03/2011, by Lord Norton


Also tagged:

Comments (13)

Debating the constitution

Lord Norton 17/10/2010 – 5:02 pm

The past week has been a busy one for the House in considering constitutional issues.  On Monday, there was a question for short debate (QSD) on the role of the House in the event of reform.  Such debates are time-limited - in this case to ninety minutes - and there were so many speakers that each backbench contributor had only two minutes.  One speaker thought this was unprecedented.  It wasn […]

Written at 5:02 pm on 17/10/2010, by Lord Norton


Also tagged: , , , , ,

Comments (25)

A perspective on referendums

Lord Norton 11/02/2010 – 11:11 am

The Constitution Committee had its final evidence-taking session yesterday on its inquiry into referendums.  The witness was Michael Wills, the minister of state in the Department of Justice, who has responsibility for constitutional issues.  He came out with some interesting observations. When asked about the role the government should take once a referendum campaign was under way, he volunte […]

Written at 11:11 am on 11/02/2010, by Lord Norton


Also tagged: ,

Comments (18)

Referendum debate

Lord Norton 17/06/2008 – 8:29 pm

I attended a debate this evening, organised by the Hansard Society, on referendums.  There were two speakers in favour of their use - former Cabinet minister and now independent MP Clare Short and Liberal Democrat MP Chris Huhne.  Speaking against were Conservative MP David Curry and Steve Richards from The Independent.  David Butler, the doyen of election experts, took a middle view, though ad […]

Written at 8:29 pm on 17/06/2008, by Lord Norton


Also tagged:

Comments (13)