By Paul Gareth Weller

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

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

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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