Stuart Weir - openDemocracy (Page 8)

The Commons debate on Libya: a milestone for British democracy?

The Commons debate on Libya has been dismissed by some as irrelevant, as military intervention has already begun. Yet this is a milestone for democracy, as Cameron has acknowledged the emerging convention that parliamentary approval is required for the deployment of British forces abroad

By Stuart Weir

/ 22 Mar 2011

The Executive Guide to how they control power in Britain

A wandering tourist asking to see a copy of Britain's constitution will get a dusty answer but now Cabinet Ministers have their own guide, which Stuart Weir gives a good fisking

By Stuart Weir

/ 19 Mar 2011

The Cabinet Manual: Who will own this 'set of guidelines' on UK governance, and what will be included?

Yesterday, the Cabinet Secretary gave evidence on the draft Cabinet Manual, which summarises the rules and conventions of UK government. Stuart Weir picks out the main issues from the session, exploring unresolved questions on war powers and the involvement of parliament in shaping the manual

By Stuart Weir

/ 11 Mar 2011

'Freeing' local councils from government grants would wind the clock back a century

Something sinister lurks below the coalition's announcement that they are going to 'free' a number of local authorities to operate independently of government grant by 2015. It sounds like winding the clock back to the 'free' London councils over the early 20th century.

By Stuart Weir

/ 25 Feb 2011

The Commons vote to keep prisoners as political outcasts inspires contempt

The Commons vote to keep the ban on prisoners voting exposes an arrogant faith in the superiority of the "British way of doing things" and an ignorance of the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

By Stuart Weir

/ 18 Feb 2011

Where are the NHS protests?

Why is their so little protest about the NHS reforms? While the public have taken to the streets to defend tuition fees, EMA, libraries and the forests, opposition to the radical upheaval of Britain's 'most treasured institution' has been lacking in strength and unity. Perhaps it's time that the t

By Stuart Weir

/ 10 Feb 2011

Cameron's toxic take on multiculturalism

What exactly was the purpose of David Cameron’s speech on multiculturalism, integration and Islamic terrorism in Munich? It is certainly a remarkably ignorant and even toxic speech, combining as it does the strong demand for the Muslim communities to integrate and accept British ‘values’ and the n

By Stuart Weir

/ 8 Feb 2011

Has the Treasury broken equality law? Have your say

All public bodies are obliged to have "due regard" to the impact on people of their actions on grounds of gender, race and disability. So has the Treasury done so in the Spending Review that is even now decimating benefits and services across the country? The Equality and Human Rights Commission (

By Stuart Weir

/ 27 Jan 2011

It is right to resist Islamophobia in Britain

Conservative Party Chair Sayeeda Warsi spoke out against Islamophobia and has met with a barrage of criticism from the right and a clear voice of support from a fellow Conservative Peter Oborne. There should be more like him.

By Stuart Weir

/ 22 Jan 2011

Tackling UK financial corruption: can Wikileaks, the tax justice movement and Labour help each other?

Secret tax files passed by a Swiss banker to Wikileaks have further highlighted the corruption of UK governance and our financial institutions. Stuart Weir reflects on how we can tackle tax avoidance and the use of tax havens, and asks what part, if any, Labour will play.

By Stuart Weir

/ 22 Jan 2011

NHS reform plans reveal Cameron's class ignorance

Listening to and watching Cameron pitching the government’s misguided plans for the NHS in the speech and media interviews on Monday, I was struck by the sheer gall of the man, as well as his ‘class arrogance’, or perhaps it should be his ‘class ignorance’. Actually it is both.

By Stuart Weir

/ 19 Jan 2011

Tax havens and the men who stole the world

Stuart Weir, Associate Director of Democratic Audit, reflects on Nicholas Shaxson’s new book on the scale, depth and penetration of tax havens and tax avoidance across the globe.

By Stuart Weir

/ 17 Jan 2011