By Paul Gareth Weller & Alex Gunter

The House of Lords Constitution Committee has today published its report on “Respect and Co-operation: Building a Stronger Union for the 21st Century”

Volt UK was the only political party that submitted written evidence in response to the Committee’s Call for Evidence on “Future Governance of the UK”    

The report cites Volt’s evidence in relation to its recognition of the impact of Brexit on relationships within the Union and its recommendations on the extension of English devolution and reform of local funding arrangements.

Welcoming these particular recommendations, Volt UK believes that, overall, the Report is too complacent about the future of the Union and is not radical enough in either its analysis or its recommendations. 

As Paul Weller of Volt UK’s Policy Group explains it: “Tinkering with the UK’s present structures will no more provide a solid basis for the future of the UK union than loudly denouncing those with more nationally focused aspirations.”

Volt UK’s position does not pay lip-service to the UK. Rather, it takes seriously the diverse realities UK’s four nations, including the aspirations and frustrations about the status quo found within each of them. 

Volt takes an evidence-based approach to politics. Thus, its submission argues “it seems increasingly clear that there is no viable future for the UK in its present form.”  

At the same time as part of the pan-European movement Volt Europa, Volt UK believes that “people, processes, systems, and structures for governance are stronger when working together across countries, nations, regions, and levels.”

At a time of great tension around the Northern Irish Protocol, Volt UK extends this principle across these islands by arguing for a strengthened British-Irish Council. 

For the radicalism needed if the UK union is to have a future, Volt UK argues that changes associated with a Federal UK; Electoral Reform; a Citizens’ Assembly; a Written Constitution; and the Reform of Local Government are necessary. In the coming weeks, Volt UK will be issuing more detailed papers on these changes. For now, Volt UK’s written evidence to the Committee can be accessed  at: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/35676/pdf/

For further information please contact us at comms@voltuk.org

Pierce Robinson

Liz Truss: New Prime Minister – Same Politics – Statement From Volt UK

Liz Truss offers us the same politics as Boris Johnson. Only a General Election can save us.

Liz Truss is the new Prime Minister of the UK. While we send her congratulations on the result, she takes over a country mired in trade problems, a skyrocketing energy crisis, frosty relations with Europe, and an economy in recession. While electing a new Prime Minister should provide a fresh start, sadly, we’re going to get more of the same politics that we saw under Boris Johnson.

5 September 2022

Pierce Robinson

ECJ ruling on voting rights for British nationals living in the EU – Volt UK’s verdict

Volt UK accepts the ruling by the ECJ, but it further demonstrates the need for the UK to rejoin the EU.

Volt UK calls on the British Government and the EU to do more to encourage all EU member states to safeguard voting rights for British nationals.

11 June 2022

Pierce Robinson

Northern Ireland Protocol – Joint Statement from Volt UK & Volt Ireland

Volt UK and Volt Ireland are deeply concerned about the current state of political deadlock in Northern Ireland.

Volt is calling upon the DUP and the British Conservative Party to end their attempts to block the restoration of the Stormont institutions – and accept the NI Protocol. A clear majority of the MLAs elected in the NI Assembly elections on 5th May 2022 are in favour of the NI Protocol. The people of NI now need their elected representatives to get back to work and deal with the urgent issues that affect their lives – such as health, education and the cost of living crisis.

28 May 2022