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28 March 2019 / David Greene
Issue: 7834 / Categories: Opinion , Brexit , Constitutional law
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Crisis? What crisis?

David Greene lays out the (possible) next steps for Brexit, democracy & the country


We are, no doubt, in a political crisis. One doesn’t need to have taken sides in the debate to conclude to that effect. This process, which has taken a fresh step of indicative votes, has put under the microscope the relationship between the executive and Parliament, having earlier examined the relationship between the government and the judiciary in the Article 50 litigation. The Westminster model which has replicas in many countries, even down to the physical construction of the debating chamber, has broken down. Does it remain fit for purpose?

The UK version of the Westminster model of governance and democracy retains at its heart the foundation stone of elections based on first past the post. This, its advocates say, produces strong governments based on party politics that are in the position to put into effect their manifesto. With a good majority the government can push through its legislative programme as promised to the electorate. It is more difficult when

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

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Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

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Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

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NEWS
Sophie Charlton of Vardags in London has been announced as the latest winner of AlphaBiolabs’ Giving Back initiative, with her nomination directing a donation to Reunite International
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
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