Questions tagged [united-kingdom]

Questions relating to the government and politics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. If your question relates to a specific country within the Union, be that England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, use with the relevant tag.

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By which reasoning is Birmingham "the largest local authority in Europe"?

In recent reports, the BBC has used this superlative in relation to the City of Birmingham multiple times: The largest local authority in Europe is to halt all spending other than services it must ...
ccprog's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
340 views

Why didn’t the UK reduce their yearly immigration despite leaving the EU?

Previously it seemed like wanting to cut down migration was a cornerstone argument for Brexit to happen. But despite the UK fully leaving the EU and the Conservative Party still being in power, the UK ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
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A comparison on UK and Japan cost of living

Both are Island countries, the UK's cost of living is 63.6, and Japan cost of living is 54.3 (reference). Yet Japan has a higher quality of life index. Why UK have that additional 10~ cost of living ...
AkiZukiLenn's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
2k views

How and why has the UK been arresting anti-monarchy protestors?

The UK police have been arresting protesters for being anti-monarchy in public. What I want to know is: HOW: Can the UK justify these arrests within their own laws? Have they tried to? WHY: Has there ...
Anti Elon Guy's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
3k views

When did a Prime Minister last miss two, consecutive Prime Minister's Questions?

Rishi Sunak was criticised at the Liaison Committee for his plans to miss two consecutive Prime Minister's Questions sessions in Parliament: Sir Chris Bryant: Remind us when a Prime Minister last ...
ScottishTapWater's user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
180 views

Have Prime Ministers ever removed people from Honours Lists

PMQs again see Rishi Sunak pushed on the state of Johnson's resignation honours list and why he is allowing Johnson's nominations to the Lord's to go forward. https://twitter.com/Haggis_UK/status/...
Jontia's user avatar
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19 votes
1 answer
4k views

If Boris Johnson returns as an MP, would he have to serve the 90-day suspension for lying to Parliament?

Parliament has accepted the partygate report, which investigated whether Boris Johnson misled parliament. The report recommended a 90-day suspension and that he should be denied a former member's pass ...
Silver Fox's user avatar
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4 votes
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Have Jonathan Pie's "allegations" been supported by the Privileges Committee report? "he lied, and did it again by denying that he’d previously lied"

The Evening Standard's June 20, 2023 MPs overwhelmingly back report finding Boris Johnson deliberately misled Parliament over Partygate begins: MPs voted by 354 to seven to accept a report finding ...
uhoh's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
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Boris Johnson Partygate Report: What are the possible consequences for Johnson?

As I type this, the debate is ongoing over Boris Johnson, deciding whether or not to accept the Partygate report's findings. The report suggests a 90-day suspension, possibly triggering a by-election, ...
Can O' Spam's user avatar
-4 votes
1 answer
88 views

Given the typical pace of Parliament, what is roughly the earliest one could see the renters reform bill becoming law? [closed]

How long does it take for such a Bill to make it through Parliament and gain parliamentary assent?
Seeking answers's user avatar
-5 votes
1 answer
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Why do immigrants want to come to the UK when its cost of living is so high? [closed]

As a working visa holder, I realize that the cost of living in the UK is horrifying. A British whole breakfast that would cost only £3 in Asia costs £10 in the UK. Public transport wise, it only cost ...
AkiZukiLenn's user avatar
20 votes
5 answers
7k views

Why does England not have its own government?

There is the Welsh Government, The Northern Ireland Assembly, and The Scottish Government. All those countries are also under the Westminster government. Why does England not have its own devolved ...
John Strachan's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
222 views

What is the logic of allowing animal testing for cosmetics regarding the safety of workers but not the safety of customers?

25 years ago in response to public pressure concerning animal welfare in the cosmetics industry a ban on cosmetic testing on animals was introduced. The text of that motion: That this House welcomes ...
User65535's user avatar
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5 votes
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UK allegiance oath - Is there a secular alternative?

It has been proposed that at the Coronation, the "general public" will be "invited" to swear an oath which takes the form "I swear that I will pay true allegiance to your ...
ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere's user avatar
15 votes
3 answers
4k views

Why is it so difficult to deal with cold calling? [closed]

It is in the news that the UK government is making a significant investment in "a clampdown on the use of cold calls to sell financial products". This involves significant investment in ...
User65535's user avatar
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2 votes
3 answers
268 views

How does the logic work for no prosecution exceptions to the right to not self incriminate in the presence of different jurisdictions?

In many democratic countries there is some sort of a right for an accused to not have to answer police questions to prevent people being forced to incriminate themselves. In the USA this is in the ...
User65535's user avatar
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31 votes
2 answers
4k views

Will we know after the election how many people are denied a vote because of the new ID rules?

In the UK on Thursday 4 May 2023, local elections are taking place across England. To vote at a polling station, you will need to bring photo ID. This is a new law introduced by the current ...
User65535's user avatar
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10 votes
7 answers
3k views

Why does British Humanist Association advocate for abortion rights? [closed]

When going over the website of the Humanists.UK I discovered that this organization advocates for extended abortion rights. This looks to me highly counterintuitive. I was always convinced that a ...
Stančikas's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
149 views

Is the Alternative Payment Arrangements, Managed Payment To Landlord supposed to be a way to garnish a claimants benefits without consent?

It is in the news that someone died and was not found for years. She was not found when the rent stopped being paid because of the Alternative Payment Arrangements, Managed Payment To Landlord scheme:...
User65535's user avatar
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27 votes
10 answers
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Are the UK, Germany and USA not concerned about their (donated) tanks being captured and researched by Russia?

It has been well established that several NATO countries are donating armoured vehicles (and training crews) to Ukraine. Some of the more notable vehicles that are being delivered include the American ...
Boolean's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
170 views

How can central government intervene when a council declares itself bankrupt?

As quoted by the Guardian and a local news website, Woking borough council is on the verge of bankruptcy (due to failed investments and financial mismanagement.) To put in context how much debt the ...
Boolean's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
63 views

Time Limitation for matters before the UK committee of privileges

can a matter before the committee of privileges in one parliamentary term move into a new parliamentary term?
Leonne Theodore-John's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
34 views

Impact of extending free childcare on availability of provision

The UK government budget announcement this week included an expansion of free childcare places phased in over the next couple of years to cover all under fives. The existing provision of 30 hours a ...
Jontia's user avatar
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1 answer
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Can the monarch prevent any Commonwealth realm from declaring war or launching a sanctioned military attack?

The USA requires that the president orders a (lawful) nuclear strike. The United Kingdom requires that the Prime Minister orders a (lawful) nuclear strike, although the Chief of the Defence Staff ...
Lee McGee's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
34 views

Why did Parliament set out a tribunal procedure for RROs and for recovery of prohibited payments but not for deposit protection claims?

Tenant fees act 2019 allows for recovery of prohibited payments in the relatively accessible and informal tribunal setting. Housing Act 2004 also sets out the RRO procedure in the same accessible ...
Seeking answers's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
249 views

The Pitcairn Islands (pop. 50) are on the UN list of non-self governing nations. Does the UN have a proposal for the ultimate status of that "nation"?

The Pitcairns Islands are listed on the UN list of non-self governing territories. Unlike all the other entries which might theoretically function as an independent state, the Pitcairn Islands have a ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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-3 votes
3 answers
412 views

Has the British Government acted illegally in revoking Shamima Begum's citizenship? [closed]

Under international law, it is illegal to revoke a citizen's citizenship leaving them stateless. The British government, after a journalist discovered Shamima Begum, a British citizen, in a refugee ...
Mozibur Ullah's user avatar
-5 votes
1 answer
257 views

Why won't countries ban media companies that leak their own intelligence?

https://thegrayzone.com/2022/06/07/paul-masons-covert-intelligence-grayzone/ This makes me believe the work should be done by white label organizations operating with firm infosec - Signal/ProtonMail,...
Sayaman's user avatar
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8 votes
4 answers
988 views

Is UK vaccine rollout really a Brexit benefit?

I heard multiple times from different UK government officials that the UK did really good with Covid-19 vaccine rollout because the UK left the EU. Is this true? What EU policy/law would have forced ...
Mocas's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
129 views

How do national union/employer negotiations work?

There are currently a number of high-profile nationwide strikes taking place (or planned) in the UK: teachers, nurses, firemen, railway workers and university lecturers, amongst others. In all cases, ...
avid's user avatar
  • 495
-2 votes
1 answer
137 views

Would there be any economic consequences if the UK were to leave the ECHR? [closed]

Before Brexit, leaving the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights) would've presumably been risky as it could've jeopardized the UK's EU membership, thus costing a significant amount of money to ...
JonathanReez's user avatar
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13 votes
2 answers
6k views

Why didn't the UK want a return policy when negotiating Brexit?

I've just watched this video that shows that the rise of boat immigrants to the UK is because the UK didn't want a return policy. It seems as though it would have been very important to the UK to have ...
Mocas's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
292 views

How radical are the SNP's proposals on gender recognition?

As regards the proposals being put forward by the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) for a change in Scots law, making recognition of gender change available to anyone over the age of 16, with no ...
WS2's user avatar
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2 votes
3 answers
215 views

What happens to Scotland energy if it leaves the UK? [closed]

If Scotland leaves the UK and joins the EU, does its current arrangement with England change? I understand the EU has some sort of a system to distribute energy among members. If Scotland becomes part ...
Mocas's user avatar
  • 4,300
4 votes
0 answers
172 views

Why are India's sedition laws still on the books?

Why India has not done away with archiac and abusive sedition laws once imposed by Colonial British rule? It is not a political issue as all the major parties that have governed India since 1947 have ...
Up-In-Air's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
3k views

Why do most United Kingdom visas restrict working as a sportsperson?

The majority of UK visas, for example the British National (Overseas) visa, and the Graduate visa, appear to include a restriction on working as a professional sportsperson: Why did the British ...
theonlygusti's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
3k views

To what extent is the UK's cost-of-living crisis Russia's fault?

I know that the UK's cost-of-living crisis is partly due to the war in Ukraine. Russia, of course, has sharply limited the amount of energy it exports to Europe; this substantially raises winter ...
alphabet's user avatar
  • 521
1 vote
0 answers
155 views

What do modern British people think about the decolonization of India in 1947? [closed]

Do British people think that PM Clement Attlee's decision to give independence to India was correct? If so, why? If not, why not?
user366312's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
375 views

Why does the UK use US-made strategic missiles?

Why does the United Kingdom use strategic missiles made in the United States, such as Trident, instead of producing their own? It is understandable that they would import tactical missiles, but why ...
user366312's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why are some parliaments 4 years long, whereas others are 5?

Is five years the usual length of a UK Parliament? Then why were some only four years long, such as from 1997 to 2001 and from 2001 to 2005? Did the Prime Minister call for these early elections, and ...
tomjbradley's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
4k views

Why did members who wanted to raise a point of order during a division have to wear a top hat while talking in the House of Commons in the UK?

I read on https://notesfromtheuk.com/2019/07/05/hats-and-the-house-of-commons/: Anyone who wanted to raise a point of order during a division (which in the normal world would be called a vote) had to ...
Franck Dernoncourt's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
199 views

What sectors/industries would a General Strike cover in the 21st Century

The UK experiencing a lot of strikes at the moment (2022/3) and there have been tentative references to a General Strike. My impression is that historically that would have meant "strike by the ...
Brondahl's user avatar
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19 votes
2 answers
7k views

Who Would Serve As Regent If King Charles and Prince William Died?

Prince William is the crown prince of the United Kingdom. Next in line to the throne are his young children. If Prince William predeceased his father King Charles, and then King Charles died while ...
ohwilleke's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
82 views

How much foreign currency gets injected into the British economy every year because of tax havens?

Britan's overseas territories combined are the largest tax havens in the world. How much undocumented money from abroad gets injected into the documented British economy every year from its tax havens?...
user366312's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
1k views

Do major parties have explicit long-term agendas?

Major parties in two-party-dominated states (e.g. US and UK) have clear reputations, we can look at the laws they pass and listen to what pundits say about them. I have never read a manifesto (maybe I ...
Lee McGee's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
1k views

How did the UK race ahead of France in GDP

Source of data In 2019, GDP of the UK was 2,743.586 Billion USD, while that of France was 2,707.074 B. That is just a difference of 1.33 percent. Some might even dismiss it as noise. In 2022 however,...
whoisit's user avatar
  • 4,682
7 votes
0 answers
249 views

What is the origin of the 'no photography' rule in the House of Commons?

While reading through Hansard to research a separate question, I came across the following exchange: Mr Speaker: Order. Someone has flashed a camera. It is quite serious to take photographs in the ...
CDJB's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
744 views

What is the current state of the plan to send those seeking asylum in the UK to Rwanda?

The recent question Is the UK going to abandon asylum for refugees? reminded me of the BBC's April 14, 2022 One-way ticket to Rwanda for some UK asylum seekers. A lot has happened since then. Question:...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 16.2k
10 votes
1 answer
434 views

Is the UK going to abandon asylum for refugees?

The Prime Minister has said that the law will be changed such that no one who arrives in the country illegally will be eligible to remain - or words to that effect. Given that there is no legal method ...
WS2's user avatar
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-4 votes
3 answers
903 views

Why has BBC and UK suddenly become so pro-human rights?

In international relations, it can be consistently observed that whenever an entity questions another entity's human rights and/or freedom of speech situation, there is a political motive behind it. ...
user366312's user avatar

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