Jess Sargeant
Former Associate Director
Jess's recent work
The Liberal Democrats should learn from the coalition's constitutional reform failures
The general election could give the Lib Dems a chance to influence government policy.
Review of the UK Constitution: Final report
The UK constitution needs urgent reform to fix crisis of trust in UK politics.
Chloe Smith
Chloe Smith talks about serving as constitution minister under three different PMs, her time in the Truss government, and ministerial maternity cover.
All work
Northern Ireland protocol: consent mechanism
The Withdrawal Agreement concluded by the UK government and the EU contains special arrangements for Northern Ireland.
Holding the Union together may be this government’s biggest challenge
The general election result and the next stage of the Brexit process means serious questions must now be asked about the future of the United Kingdom.
Government in Northern Ireland needs to be restored, but also reformed
All those involved in talks to restore power-sharing in Northern Ireland should be thinking about how ministers can tackle their substantial in-tray.
A second independence referendum
Holding a second independence referendum in 2020, as the SNP has demanded, would be a mistake.
Labour’s timetable for a second Brexit referendum would be hard to meet
Labour’s commitment to renegotiate a Brexit deal and then hold a referendum within six months leaves no room for error.
MPs won’t find it easy to secure a confirmatory vote on a Brexit deal
If MPs want to hold a confirmatory vote on a Brexit deal then they will need to find a way to compel the government to act.
A no-deal Brexit is at odds with the government’s commitment to the Union
The future of the United Kingdom will be at risk if UK leaves the EU without a Brexit deal.
No Deal Brexit and the Union
A no-deal Brexit would be highly controversial in all three devolved nations and increase risks to the Union itself.
Governing without ministers
How Northern Ireland has functioned since the collapse of power-sharing in 2017.
Boris Johnson’s Stormont lock might not unlock a Brexit deal
Proposals to democratise the Irish backstop would give a central role to institutions which have not functioned for two and a half years.