Joe Marshall

Government emergency powers and coronavirus

The term “emergency powers” usually refers to government powers to respond rapidly to a public emergency.

The Treasury Select Committee needs to talk about tax

Brexit spending: government preparations

By the end of 2020/21 the government is expecting to have spent up to £8.1bn on preparing for Brexit and the end of the transition period.

Election manifestos should be bold about tax reform

Politicians should use this general election to set out proposals for much-needed changes to the tax system.

The government’s promise to go on strike was always an empty threat

The government might be finding it hard to get its way, but it would find it equally difficult to go ‘on strike’ and stop Parliament in its tracks.

The government's Brexit legislation raises as many questions as it answers  

The Withdrawal Agreement Bill would give the government sweeping new powers that may have worrying consequences for parliamentary sovereignty.

The government's Brexit timetable is set to be knocked off course

The Letwin amendment has opened up a series of new and unpredictable challenges which have put the government on the back foot.

Primetime Brexit drama doesn’t tell the whole story for Parliament’s TV audiences 

The fireworks on display in the House of Commons risk giving a distorted impression of parliamentary effectiveness.