Research Briefing
The UK and Scottish Governments reached agreement in October 2012 on the legislation needed to hold a referendum on Scottish independence. This Note discusses the agreement, and the draft “Section 30 Order” by which the UK Parliament will give the Scottish Parliament the power to hold the vote. It also covers the question of the franchise and some reaction to the agreement.
Research Briefing
This Note details political developments in Northern Ireland in 2012. For developments prior to January 2012, see the Library’s previous notes available from the Parliamentary website.
Research Briefing
This Note details political developments in Northern Ireland in 2012.
Research Briefing
This note outlines the main recommendations from the Holtham Commission's final report, briefly summarises the Commission’s first report and includes reaction from the Welsh Assembly and UK Government to the Commission’s recommendations.
Research Briefing
This paper presents an overview of results from UK elections since 1918, including elections to the House of Commons, the European Parliament, devolved bodies and local government.
Research Briefing
A briefing paper setting out UK government responsibility for reserved powers in Scotland.
Research Briefing
This Note lists the amendments made to the Scotland Bill in the House of Lords. Significant amendments were made in committee and, in particular, on report following an agreement between the UK and Scottish Governments. The Note does not cover amendments that were proposed but not agreed. It therefore summarises the Government amendments and gives a guide to the Bill in its final form. Lords amendments were considered in the Commons on 26 April 2012, and all were agreed.
Research Briefing
This note reproduces the terms of reference for the Commission, and puts them in the context of the Holtham Commission on funding reform in Wales, the fiscal changes proposed for Scotland in the Scotland Bill, and the changes made to the powers of the National Assembly for Wales in May 2011. The Commission will aim to report on fiscal powers in autumn 2012, and on constitutional matters by spring 2014. It is led by Paul Silk, former Clerk to the National Assembly for Wales.
Research Briefing
The Scottish Parliament’s Scotland Bill Committee has recommended that consent for this legislation should be withheld unless significant changes are made to the Bill. This note traces developments since the Bill’s committee stage in the Commons, including amendments made on report, second reading in the Lords, the Scottish Government’s position, and the report of the Committee.
Research Briefing
This note explores the concept of the 'West Lothian Question' in the light of the devolution settlements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from 1999.
Research Briefing
If Scotland became independent, would it automatically remain a member of the European Union (EU) – or would it have to go through the whole accession process for new Member States, either alone or alongside the rest of the UK?
Research Briefing
This note aims to give an update on the political events in Northern Ireland from October 2008 to March 2009.
Research Briefing
This is a report on the Commons committee stage of the Scotland Bill 2010-12. Introduced to the House of Commons on 30 November 2010, its second reading was on 27 January 2011, and its committee stage took place on the floor of the House on 7, 14 and 15 March 2011. Report and third reading are scheduled for 21 June 2011. On 13 June 2011 the Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore, announced a package of changes to the Bill in response to issues that had been raised in the UK and Scottish Parliaments, and by the Scottish Government.
Research Briefing
The SNP gained an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament in the elections on 5 May 2011. The paper provides data on voting trends and electoral turnout for constituencies, electoral regions, and for Scotland as a whole.
Total results (page 19 of 24)