Changes to the definition of the family could have serious consequences for tax, inheritance law, and other important areas. Yet the politicians are leaving the new definition up to the judges.
With the polls all pointing towards the defeat, the Government is spending millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money combatting “misinformation” – whilst insisting it isn’t funding the Yes campaign.
Even amidst dire polling for the Tories nationally, nobody seems to think a 1997-style wipeout is on the table in Scotland.
The first and best allies of the campaign for independence have always been pro-UK politicians who think they can buy it off.
If we do not update the rules governing our elections and referendums, their credibility faces a perfect storm of threats.
The object of the exercise is to absorb within a stable democratic practice a new element which, if unabsorbed, may have fatal effects.
Does authority reside with Parliament or the People? And are MPs representatives or delegates? Both must be answered.
It should be easier to call local referendums in the UK. Politics is too important to be left to the politicians.
The British left are somewhat more open to the idea, but the Conservative Party’s members and voters would not wear the proposal
It looks to be the least bad medium-term means of settling the future of abortion laws in Northern Ireland.
We must not conflate the progress that scientific advancement offers us with the idea that debate becomes redundant in the face of an increased awareness of scientific fact.
No council has ever held a referendum on tax rises over five per cent. Javid’s decision to raise the cap means taxpayers will be hit without the democratic chance to object.
Even the hard Left now admit that the claim that people are happy to pay more is hollow. Their answer? Harness the politics of envy and division.
Why not give the electorate the chance to pass judgement directly on Sinn Fein and the DUP’s ‘red lines’?