UK: Cross-party group to propose new Act of Union Bill in the Lords

UK: Cross-party group to propose new Act of Union Bill in the Lords

A cross-party group of MPs and Lords has launched a draft Act of Union Bill to “rebalance and stabilise the constitutional relationships between the four nations of the United Kingdom”.

The Constitution Reform Group (CRG) includes Robert Salisbury, former Leader of the House of Lords; Gisela Stuart, Labour MP for Edgbaston; Peter Hain, former Leader of the House of Commons and Welsh and Northern Ireland Secretary of State; Menzies Campbell, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats; and David Burnside, former Ulster Unionist MP/MLA.

Their proposed Act of Union Bill sets out a new constitutional framework for the UK which includes provisions for English devolution, subject to a “commencement referendum” in all four parts of the state.

The bill also provides an option for the House of Lords to be replaced by a new elected chamber to represent “a new federation of the UK”.

The CRG originally said that its bill would be introduced by Lord Lisvane today, but the timetable appears to have slipped.

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