News and opinion

Richard Parry discusses the varied responses to the pandemic between the devolved nations in the UK and beyond, and what this tells us about the relationship between the political system and expert advice.

Michael Kenny and Jack Sheldon, University of Cambridge, discuss the seemingly co-ordinated approach from governments throughout the UK in response to the coronavirus, but all may not be as harmonious as it seems.

After three years of stasis, devolution in Northern Ireland is grinding back into gear, following the publication at the end of last week of New Decade, New Approach – the Irish and British governments’ plan to get power-sharing back on the road. Jonathan Evershed, University College Cork, evaluates the deal and what it is promising for Northern Ireland.

In this blog from our "Twenty Years of Devolution" series, Prof Colin Reid notes that while the role of EU law in environmental matters has so far constrained the extent to which devolution has led to divergence within the UK, current developments suggest that the future may bring greater differentiation.

Eric Shaw from University of Stirling, evaluates the Labour Party's record in Scotland since devolution and asks to what extent is their Scottish demise a consequence of the logic of devolution in our latest instalment of our devolution at 20 series.

Should SNP opponents start trying to understand why the party is so successful instead of 'treating nationalism like a virus to be cured'? In her contribution to our devolution at 20 series, Lynn Bennie from University of Aberdeen explores how the SNP's electoral success has continues after over 10 years in government.

James Mitchell discusses how Brexit has shown that a referendum cannot resolve complex questions.

In her contribution to our series on devolution at twenty, Amy Sanders examines the statutory Partnership between the Welsh Government and the third sector and assesses its impact on equalities.  

In his contribution to the devolution at twenty series, Neil McGarvey of the University of Strathclyde examines the effect of devolution on local government, arguing that it is time for change.