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…
There was a question for short debate in the Lords last night on electoral systems, especially the party list system. I missed it because I was taking part in a debate hosted by Policy Exchange – on electoral systems. Home Secretary Alan Johnson and Professor Vernon Bogdanor argued the case for introducing a system of…
Some readers have invited me to comment on the constitutional crisis in Canada. In October, a minority Conservative government was returned to office. Today it was due to face a vote of no confidence. Opposition parties had agreed to support the motion, with the almost certain result that the vote would be carried. However, no…
