October 24, 2011
by Nosemonkey
8 Comments
Ahead of today’s Commons vote on a possible EU referendum, some basic points that many are overlooking (originally posted as a comment over at Jon Worth’s place): Referenda have a decidedly unclear position within the UK constitution. The people are … Continue reading
January 13, 2011
by Nosemonkey
50 Comments
Following this week’s first reading of the European Union Bill, designed to protect British sovereignty, a look at just what this means in the context of the British constitution Continue reading
May 8, 2010
by Nosemonkey
25 Comments
Just back from Japan, from where I was closely following the UK election on Twitter (your best place for my day-to-day political commentary these days, though be warned they’re usually more jokey – and sweary – than here…) After 30 … Continue reading
August 20, 2009
by Nosemonkey
23 Comments
Why EU citizenship is the best thing that has ever happened to the people of Britain Continue reading
August 18, 2009
by Nosemonkey
34 Comments
My last post has been hijacked by the rather fervent supporters of the concept of an English Parliament to the extent that it’s impossible to discuss what it was really about – i.e. local/regional vs national identities. For non-Brits, a … Continue reading
June 22, 2009
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
The MP expenses scandal has rocked Westminster for over a month now (with more revelations *still* emerging). Many MPs have found their careers cut short – among them Speaker Michael Martin (a man who never should have got the job … Continue reading
April 1, 2009
by Nosemonkey
34 Comments
The latest in what seems to be a new series… Continue reading
October 20, 2008
by Nosemonkey
11 Comments
As Baroness Ashton heads to Brussels, is she really able to become a Commissioner? Is ANY British politician? Continue reading
September 4, 2007
by Nosemonkey
9 Comments
Not having particularly kept up with Scottish politics after the ’45, and despite having close Scottish relations involved on the fringe of the Scottish political scene, the niceties of the devolution settlement have largely eluded me. I’ve only made it … Continue reading
June 28, 2007
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
Update note: It’s entirely possible that there should be a question-mark in the headline to this post. He’s not stupid enough to have made this move without thinking it through, but I can’t for the life of me work out … Continue reading
June 25, 2007
by Nosemonkey
9 Comments
Our dear Eurosceptic friends have long been preparing themselves to make the argument “if it looks like a constitution, sounds like a constitution, then it’s a constitution”. Now that the replacement treaty is (almost) there, it’s time to see if … Continue reading
February 7, 2007
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
Sounds like an absolute mess, from its brief introduction just now. The somewhat surprising thing, however, is that in (Tory Shadow Leader of the House) Theresa May’s response to (Labour Leader of the House) Jack Straw’s introduction, I’m finding myself … Continue reading
February 2, 2007
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
Standard language of a soon to be departing politico, you might think. No surprise Blair used is in his interview this morning. But surely the standard, talking about the public, is “it has been an honour and a privilege to … Continue reading
January 20, 2007
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
About bloody time, considering how unweildy the department has evidently become. The big question (other than what the hell are the precisely plans?) is, why let the news slip out at 9pm on a Saturday night? Wouldn’t this count as … Continue reading