News and opinion

From their recently published article, Judith Sijstermans (University of Birmingham) and Coree Brown Swan (Centre on Constitutional Change) examine how European sub-state nationalist parties, specifically the Flemish Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA) and the Scottish National Party (SNP), provided support and solidarity throughout the 2017 Catalan referendum.

John Denham, University of Southampton examines English identity and British unionism in the wake of Brexit - are we likely to see a change to the system of governance in England?

Katy Hayward, Queen's University Belfast discusses the implications of the Northern Ireland Protocol and what this might mean for Northern Ireland's place in the Union.

Covid-19 and Brexit have engendered a precarious and rather fragile territorial politics, and 'the tumultuous nature of current politics in Wales means that what was inconceivable is now conceivable' according to Laura McAllister, Cardiff University. Taken from UK in a Changing Europe's 'Brexit and Beyond' report, Laura discusses the past, present and future of Welsh territorial politics.

Nicola McEwen, University of Edinburgh discusses the situation in Scotland following Brexit, explaining the complexities and how these might impact support for independence.

Will Brexit lead to the break up of the UK? Michael Kenny and Jack Sheldon, University of Cambridge discuss in their contribution to UK in a Changing Europe's 'Brexit and Beyond' report.

From the UK and a Changing Europe's recent report 'Brexit and Beyond', Ailsa Henderson, University of Edinburgh discusses the factors that help to explain why current support for independence is high, and looks ahead to the Scottish Parliament elections in May, anticipating the themes of the campaign.

Nick Pearce, Director of the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath, evaluates the idea of a Royal Commission on the Constitution, but the UK has been here before - are there lessons to be learned from the Kilbrandon Commission?

There has been much debate over whether the Scottish Parliament elections should be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Alistair Clark (Newcastle University) argues that, for the most part, elections throughout the world have continued during the pandemic and parties can continue to campaign. So, what can expect from this election?