Lords to explore the current state of the Union and parliamentary sovereignty
Tuesday 12 October 2021
The House of Lords Constitution Committee will tomorrow be questioning Professor Iain McLean, Professor of Politics at Nuffield College, University of Oxford, as it continues its inquiry into the future governance of the UK.
The session will focus on the current state of the Union in constitutional terms, including the impact of devolution on parliamentary sovereignty.
Questions the committee is likely to ask Mr McClean include:
- How would you characterise the current state of the Union in constitutional terms? What are the main pressure points, and are any significant reforms required in response?
- How feasible would it be to adopt a new constitutional arrangement based upon popular sovereignty and entrenchment?
- If the UK Parliament is no longer recognised as sovereign does this not risk undermining the unity of the UK?
- How important is it for England to have a distinct identity within the UK’s constitutional arrangements?
- Do the funding arrangements within England need to be changed and, if so, how? Is the devolution of taxation to local areas desirable?
The session will take place virtually on Wednesday 13 October at 10.30am and can be followed on Parliament TV.
