Tag Archives: executive power

How Can Theresa May Create New Departments So Quickly?

Posted on July 13, 2016 by jasonloch

A reader was surprised to learn that Theresa May has made David Davis ‘Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.’ They thought it was odd that she could create a new department out of thin air. This is possible because of the constitutional … Continue reading →

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Why Didn’t David Cameron Step Down Immediately?

Posted on June 24, 2016 by jasonloch

In the aftermath of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, David Cameron has announced that he will step down as Prime Minister in October. This led a friend of mine to ask why he didn’t resign right away. The answer is that … Continue reading →

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Margaret Thatcher’s Official Papers

Posted on June 5, 2016 by jasonloch

The Margaret Thatcher Foundation is doing something really cool: they’re publishing all of her official papers as they become available from The National Archives. As far as I’m aware, this is the first time that a head of government’s papers have been made available like … Continue reading →

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Supreme Court Rules Against Government In Prince Charles Letters Case

Posted on March 26, 2015 by jasonloch

Today, the Supreme Court handed down its judgment in the case of R (Evans) v. Attorney-General. The justices dismissed the Attorney General’s appeal, and allowed the Court of Appeal’s decision to stand. Back in 2012, the Attorney General issued a certificate under section … Continue reading →

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James I and Executive Overreach

Posted on July 9, 2014 by jasonloch

As I listened to President Obama strike a defiant tone in the face of Speaker John Boehner’s criticism of his use of executive orders, I was reminded of a similar dispute that raged in Jacobean England. Then as now, hostile members of … Continue reading →

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