Tuesday 19 January
6:30-8:00pm
Over the past eight years the government has made several attempts to introduce legislation giving ministers powers to vary or suspend statute without Parliamentary consent and limiting the power of the courts to review administrative actions. Constitutional changes have been made with little or no public debate. To some, these attempts provide compelling evidence of the absolutist ambitions of the executive – ambitions that, ironically, have often been thwarted by the unelected second chamber.
But, is the danger of authoritarianism being exaggerated? And if it isn’t, what should be done about it? Some argue that nothing short of a written constitution can limit the power of an over-mighty executive. Would this aggravate the perception of a ‘democratic deficit’ as legislative power passes from politicians to a newly politicised judiciary?
Speakers:
- Baroness Helena Kennedy of the Shaws, QC
- Lord (Richard) Wilson of Dinton
- Professor Peter Hennessy, Queen Mary College, London
- David Hencke, Whitehall Correspondent, The Guardian (Chair)
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