Should we hold referendums more regularly?

Lord Winston gives his opinion HERE.

What are the funcitons of referendums and what was the 2011 AV Referendum?

Good brief explanation here
http://www.parliament.uk/education/online-resources/parliament-explained/referendums/

After the AV referendum: a view from the 'yes' and 'no' camp

Lord Tyler is a Liberal Democrat Peer who campaigned for a 'yes' vote in the alternative vote referendum - he wanted the voting system in UK general elections to change from first past the post to AV.
In this video, he has one minute to answer the question: 'What do you think the outcome of the alternative vote referendum means for the future of British politics?' Watch his response HERE.

Lord Winston is a Conservative Peer who was against changing the voting system in general elections from first past the post to the alternative vote.
In this video he has one minute to answer the question: 'What do you think the outcome of the AV referendum means for the future of British politics?' Watch his response HERE.

Do referendums help politicians make difficult decisions?

Should referendums be held more regularly? Lord Tyler explains why he thinks politicians should avoid calling a referendum because there is a difficult decision to make. VIDEO HERE.

VIDEO LINK: What are the main functions of Select Committees in the House of Commons?

http://www.parliament.uk/education/newsletter/central-lobby-current-newsletter/malcolm-bruce-select-committees/

Lords Reform update June 2012

The Telegraph lays into Labour but also Tories and LDs over House of Lords, saying that the current proposals and debates is more about party political posturing than getting reform right. See here.

Miliband calls for referendum on Lords reform.

House of Lords reform: riven coalition prepares for testing bill http://gu.com/p/38h5v

BBC News - No referendum to be held on House of Lords reform

BBC News - No referendum to be held on House of Lords reform:

'via Blog this'

Unit 1 and Unit 2 revision: House of Lords and Referendums

The issue over the last couple of weeks boils down to three new developments:

• The threat of Tory resignations if Cameron pushes ahead with Clegg's proposals (80% elected etc.). Cameron is at odds with most of his own Tory MPs, as he says he's in favour of Lords reform, whilst they are largely against. Even some cabinet ministers are hinting that Lords reform could be a resignation issue. The other issue is whether or not Cameron should whip his Tory MPs into voting for Lords reform or whether it should be up to the individual MPs. Some say that around 80 Tory MPs will vote against the proposed reforms when the time comes to vote on legislation.
• The question of whether or not a referendum should be held over whether or not Clegg's proposals should be put into action. A parliamentary committee will report on Monday (23/4/12) that a referendum should be held on the issue. Many Tory MPs agree, hoping that most people can be persuaded that reform is necessary and expensive (like AV campaign). However, Miliband is also in favour of a referendum. Clegg says that the coalition already has a democratic mandate for Lords reform as it was in both coalition parties' manifestos before the last election, and therefore a referendum is not needed. Unit 1 retakers should take note of this referendum possibility.
• The issue of whether or not the coalition can survive it's disagreements over Lords reform. See this blog for a brief analysis...and here.

The three issues are interwoven. 

What the coalition agreement says about Lords reform HERE.

This weekend has seen some excellent coverage in The Guardian and the Telegraph (as usual).

Guardian:

• Article on coalition splits over Lords reform
• Article on cabinet tensions
• Against reform article
• In favour of reform editorial

Telegraph:

• Article on Conservative party tensions over Lords reform.
• Article about junior ministers threatening to resign over Lords reform.
• Miliband gives his reasons for supporting a Lords reform referendum.
• Lib Dem Lord Oakeshott hits out at Tory MPs against Lords reform saying they should "grow up" and remember the coalition agreement.

Anyone hoping to get a decent Unit 2 (or Unit 1 retake) grade will be reading these articles and taking notes on arguments and controversies, party positions and splits within parties.

Constitutional reform or the break up of the UK?

From the Tutor 2 U Politics Blog:

The big constiutional issue of the year looks firmly set to be that of Scottish devoltion/independence and the ultimate issue of the fate of the Union.  Quite what was David Cameron doing in lighting the toucpaper for a debate on Scotland’s future which could end with the United Kingdom splitting apart?  Initially it seemed a masterstroke catching Salmond on the hop, but it seems to have backfired.  Salmond in some eyes is a ‘political genius’ but does that make him right on the issue?  Very briefly here is a snapshot of a few relevent articles:

1. A question not just for the Scots, but for everyone in Britain - Charles Moore, The Daily Telegraph

What Alex Salmond calls independence is really the break-up of the United Kingdom.

2. A generous offer to Scotland could keep the Union safe - Dominic Raab, The Daily Telegraph

As Alex Salmond makes hay haggling over process points for a referendum on Scottish independence, we risk losing sight of the big picture. Mr Salmond may see crude political capital in casting the debate as Scots versus English, but the referendum will define the constitutional architecture for the United Kingdom as a whole.

3. Of course Scotland can stand on its own two feet - and here’s how ~ Hamish McRae, The Independent

Scotland’s voters will be asked to make a political decision in its referendum on independence, but it will be a decision coloured inevitably by economics – or at least economic perceptions, for the long-term economic impact of independence is far from clear. But such is the nature of politics that economic arguments will be used by both sides to support their case.

4. Scotland’s political bruiser - Andrew Bolger, George Parker, The Financial Times

Alex Salmond, the ebullient leader of the Scottish National party, was in his element this week, doing what even his foes concede he does best: hogging the centre of the political stage, draping himself in history and arguing the case for independence that would break up the United Kingdom.

Only a start…...

New referendum on the way for Scotland?

m.guardian.co.uk