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Archive: Legal And Constitutional

Timeline: Scottish devolution

The relationship between Scotland and the UK has changed almost beyond recognition since Scotland's first parliamentary election 1997. This is how it happened.

Opinion Former Articles

NASUWT mounts new legal challenge against government pension changes

The NASUWT, the largest teachers' union, has issued a further legal challenge to the Government in relation to its plans for changes to the Teachers' Pension Scheme.
Holy Redundant! BHA launches campaign to remove Bishops from Parliament

The British Humanist Association (BHA) has today launched its campaign to remove reserved seats for the Bishops from the House of Lords. The campaign, ‘Holy Redundant’, follows on from the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Draft House of Lords Reform Bill reporting on Monday in support of the Government’s proposals to keep reserved seats for Bishops in a reformed second chamber by a vote of 13-7.
BHA: Right to die with dignity is a fundamental human right

The 'right to die' cases of Jane Nicklinson and Paul Lamb will be heard at the Supreme Court this week.
ESRC: Animations in court cause jury errors

Using animated evidence in court can confuse and bias a jury, according to new research.

Londoners face new chaos with June Tube strikes

Londoners face more transport chaos this month after a new set of strikes were announced for later in June.
Miliband attacks 'shameless' Cameron

Ed Miliband has attacked the prime minister as "shameless" in a stormy and bad-tempered PMQs session.

The man's for turning: Cameron scraps justice reform

A key plank of Ken Clarke's justice reforms is being dropped, in the latest coalition U-turn.
Tory MP to step down

A senior Conservative MP has become the first of this parliament to confirm he will step down at the next general election.

May 'shifting blame' for extremism

Theresa May is "shifting the blame" for her failure to tackle extremism onto universities, a student leader has warned.
Lords reform sparks signs of Lib Dem civil war

Senior figures in the Liberal Democrats raised the stakes in the debate over Lords reform today, as early signs of civil war started to break out.

Labour strengthens grip on hung councils

Late additions to the list of Labour's councils are improving the party's final showing from last month's local elections.
Shadow over Miliband as Labour loses poll lead

Labour has dropped points and is now neck-and-neck with the Conservative party, a new opinion poll suggests.

Tory peer jailed for expenses

Former Conservative peer Lord Taylor of Warwick has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for fraudulently claiming expenses.
Peers dig in against Lords reform

Nick Clegg faces an uphill battle to defeat deep-seated opposition to Lords reform, with three-quarters of peers opposing his plans.

Electoral Commission starts Chris Huhne investigation

Chris Huhne was set to fight a battle on two fronts today, after the Electoral Commission announced it was investigating him.
SNP to challenge supreme court

The supreme court's interventions in Scottish law on human rights issues are to be challenged by the Scottish National party (SNP).

Twitter surrenders details of UK accounts

A legal bid to uncover a whistleblower has seen Twitter give up details of five UK users, according to a report.
Govt defends plans to keep passenger data for 15 years

The government has defended plans to keep the personal data of passengers flying between the US and UK for 15 years.

The town that tried to ban politics

Wrexham council looks set to reject plans that would have banned certain political events from the area.
Major drop in Tory support - but no faith in Labour

Labour is failing to capitalise on public discontent, despite a clear fall in support for the Conservatives.

Labour's biggest private donor revealed as - Alastair Campbell

Tony Blair's former spin doctor Alastair Campbell donated £10,000 to the Labour party last year.
Miliband: I fear for my children

Ed Miliband used his family life to highlight the repercussions of David Cameron's economic programme today, in a decidedly personal keynote speech today.

Fourth time lucky? Cameron tries to re-launch the 'big society'... again

David Cameron has once again tried to reinvigorate his 'big society' agenda, with a speech arguing it can serve as the driving force of the centre-right.
Former MP gets 16 months for expenses claims

Former Labour MP Elliot Morley has been jailed for 16 months for false accounting over his parliamentary expenses.

Lib Dem MPs 'want more ministerial access'

More discussions before policies reach parliament could help prevent future internal coalition arguments, Liberal Democrat MPs have claimed.
Super-injunction protecting Fred Goodwin lifted

A high court judge has lifted part of a superinjunction against former RBS boss Sir Fred Goodwin, after a peer revealed his name in the Lords.

Cable stands by 'effective' Huhne

Embattled Chris Huhne's potential resignation would be a "loss" to the government, according to Vince Cable.
Miliband to Cameron: You've got until the end of the day to sack Ken Clarke

Ed Miliband has demanded the prime minister sack Ken Clarke over his rape comments.