Constitutional reform - openDemocracy

Sarwar confirms that Labour has no plan to reform the UK

Scottish Labour leader reveals that the party’s ideas to solve the UK’s constitutional crisis are meaningless

By Adam Ramsay

/ 4 Jul 2022

Sarwar confirms that Labour has no plan to reform the UK

Why codifying our constitution and a Citizens’ Convention won’t resolve our political crisis

Reformers need to start thinking differently about constitutional change if they want to build a meaningful democratic framework for the twenty-first century.

By Richard Elliott

/ 24 Oct 2019

Making a New Constitution: The Citizens’ Convention on UK Democracy: Part 2

The Citizens’ Convention offers a welcome space for public sovereignty over our future constitution – but as currently envisaged, risks side-lining vital questions of national and regional autonomy.

By Stuart White

/ 4 Oct 2019

Making a New Constitution: The Citizens’ Convention on UK Democracy: Part 2

D-Day and the Constitution! Why Britain needs a written constitution by Lord Scarman

Lord Scarman helped plan the D-Day landings – and in later years was a bold supporter of constitutional reform. We need a little of that spirit again now.

By Anthony Barnett

/ 5 Jun 2019

D-Day and the Constitution! Why Britain needs a written constitution by Lord Scarman

John Smith and the path Britain did not take

When we lost John Smith, we lost a leader who would have taken Labour and Britain down the path of radical and necessary reform of our constitution and political culture.

By Anthony Barnett

/ 12 May 2019

John Smith and the path Britain did not take

Europe’s misguided applause for Morocco’s reform process

Stability under the cover of autocracy is not only unjust and brutal but also unsustainable.

By Ilyas Saliba

/ 18 Aug 2016

Women’s rights in the new Tunisian constitution

The constitution was voted in during a period when belief in the status quo changing had lost all traction. Due to the security situation, public opinion was dominated by fear. As such, Tunisia's transition will have to take place on a different level, namely in the field of legislation and legal

By Maaike Voorhoeve

/ 11 Mar 2014

Tunisia’s new constitution: progress and challenges to come

Most Tunisians agree that their new constitution is an advance, despite the imperfections. The people’s new democratic spirit is what will make Tunisia a success, and it will hopefully serve as an inspiration for the entire Arab region in times to come. (4,485 words)

By Zaid Al-Ali and Donia Ben Romdhane

/ 16 Feb 2014

The government is refusing to honour its own commitments on giving powers to parliament

The British government's failure to keep its word on the issue demonstrates once again that it is determined to keep as much power in its own hands as possible. Parliamentary sovereignty remains a myth.

By Graham Allen

/ 11 Dec 2013

Islam and politics

There remains a deeper problem in making a religious text foundational and that can be summed up in one word: commitment.

By Ellis J Goldberg

/ 4 Nov 2013

Reconnecting the political class

How can the political class reconnect with voters before it becomes irrelevant? How can our institutions reform themselves to bring them closer to people? Ted Cantle has some ideas...

By Ted Cantle

/ 2 Oct 2013

The road to federal consociationalism

Many Israeli Jewish intellectuals, activists and politicians over the years have spoken out clearly for a one-state solution. They were very aware of the consequences of war and conflict, and arrived at the conclusion that we must live together, sharing food, water, resources, and even politics.

By Abdalhadi Alijla

/ 11 Aug 2013