News from the Centre for Citizenship

Freedom of expression in Britain is threatened by two European institutions. The Council of Europe has proposed that anyone criticised in an online medium be guaranteed a right of reply. Newspaper web sites and personal blogs would be affected if the proposal became law in Britain, in addition to web sites such as the Centre…

In effort to frighten TV viewers who refuse to pay the BBC for permission to watch other channels the British Broadcasting Corp. has announced that it has a new fleet of detection vans. It claims that new technology, including global positioning equipment, will help it to enforce its tax on free speech. The vans will…

The feudal post of Lord Chancellor will be abolished within 18 months, according to constitution affairs secretary Falconer. A consultation paper on the arrangements for replacing the Chancellor will be publish this autumn. This would be preceded by a paper on the proposal for a supreme court and independent judicial appointments committee. Mr. Falconer is…

Peter Hain, the new leader of the House of Commons, was reported today to be about to challenge Prime Minister Tony Blair by proposing that Britain’s remaining hereditary legislators-for-life be removed from office as a preliminary to other reforms to the House of Lords. Mr. Hain was also said to be calling for proportional representation…

Peter Hain, the new leader of the House of Commons, was reported today to be about to challenge Prime Minister Tony Blair by proposing that Britain’s remaining hereditary legislators-for-life be removed from office as a preliminary to other reforms to the House of Lords. Mr. Hain was also said to be calling for proportional representation…

Judges in Britain’s new supreme court, promised by the Prime Minister last, week, will not follow the example of the United States Supreme Court and “hold their offices during good behaviour,” according to a report in The Guardian newspaper. American Supreme Court justices serve as long as they wish unless misbehaviour justifies their removal from…

According to a report in the Guardian newspaper the Labour Party’s Fabian Society will recommend that the link between Britain’s hereditary head of state and the Church of England be ended. But the report of the Society’s so-called commission on the future of the monarchy is said not to recommend that the British monarchy be…

The government has announced major steps towards the separation of powers in Britain. The office of Lord Chancellor, which combined executive, legislative and judicial functions, is to be abolished. And a supreme court is to be established outside the legislature. The office of Lord Chancellor has existed for 800 years and in other forms for…

The Chair of the Australian Republican Movement (ARM), Professor John Warhurst, said today that the Republic was back on the public agenda. “The events of recent weeks have demonstrated that the Australian people have lost confidence in the office of the Governor General. The system is clearly broken and needs to be replaced. The resignation…

Five thousand businesses in the City of London are to be enfranchised in local elections. They will join the 11, 000 sole traders and partnerships that have the vote already. There are only 6000 City residents entitled to vote. Small businesses will have one vote. Those with 50 or more staff will be entitled to…