Author Archives: J.W.J. Bowden

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About J.W.J. Bowden

My area of academic expertise lies in Canadian political institutions, especially the Crown, political executive, and conventions of Responsible Government; since 2011, I have made a valuable contribution to the scholarship by having been published and cited extensively. I’m also a contributing editor to the Dorchester Review and a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Parliamentary and Political Law.

Historical Resources on the Proceedings of the House of Commons and Senate

Posted on 2017/04/22 by J.W.J. Bowden

Recently, two excellent historical resources on the proceedings of the Parliament of Canada have become readily available online. Many of you would join me in finding them useful and interesting.

Posted in Parliament, Traditions and History | Leave a comment

How the General Election of 2017 Will Occur in Practice

Posted on 2017/04/20 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction  Earlier today, I was very confused to see that the Westminster Parliament is still sitting and conducting business. After all, MPs voted by a huge margin — well above even the two-thirds super-majority — to go to an early … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections | 12 Comments

Presentation to the “Constitution at 150 Conference”

Posted on 2017/04/19 by J.W.J. Bowden

I’m pleased to report that I will present a paper at the upcoming “Constitution at 150 Conference” in Montreal, Quebec, on the morning of May 16th. The conference runs from 16 to 18 May. I’d encourage those of you who … Continue reading →

Posted in Conference Papers | Leave a comment

More on the Fixed-term Parliaments Act

Posted on 2017/04/18 by J.W.J. Bowden

Originally posted on The Norton View:
The Prime Minister has announced she will be asking the House of Commons tomorrow to vote for the motion ‘That there shall be an early parliamentary general election’.  She correctly stated the provisions of the…

Posted in Dissolution, Electoral Reform | 1 Comment

British Prime Minister Theresa May Calls *For* An Early Election Under the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act

Posted on 2017/04/18 by J.W.J. Bowden

British Prime Minister Theresa May made an announcement outside of 10 Downing Street and has just called for an early general election. But she has not “called” an early general election — because the British Prime Minister no longer possesses … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections | 1 Comment