Category Archives: Reform

Constitutional Crisis in Papua New Guinea: Codification Causes Confusion

Posted on 2011/12/21 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction I have published this account somewhat belatedly; however, regardless of the current state of the constitutional crisis in Papua New Guinea, it brings some fundamental underlying principles of Westminster parliamentarism to light and provides an excellent case study in … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Codification of Convention, Constructive Non-Confidence, Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Officialization of Convention, Prime Minister's Powers, Reform | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Liberal Party’s “Roadmap to Renewal” Leads To Closed Primaries

Posted on 2011/11/21 by J.W.J. Bowden

The Liberal Party of Canada has elaborated on its plans to hold something akin to an open primary in the selection of its next leader in the Roadmap to Renewal. I mentioned the proposal in an earlier entry before the … Continue reading →

Posted in Direct Democracy | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Liberals Adopt Primaries for Selecting Next Leader?

Posted on 2011/11/08 by J.W.J. Bowden

The Globe and Mail reported today that the Liberal Party will elect its next leader by “US-style primary,” which conceals the different types of primaries that the various American states use: open, closed, jungle, etc. Judging by Ibbitson’s description, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Direct Democracy | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Harper Government’s Senate Reform Bill (C-7) and Its Implications on Crown Prerogative and Responsible Government

Posted on 2011/10/27 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction Since the 39th Parliament, the Harper government has tried and failed to pass bills that would limit the tenure of Senators to somewhere between 8 and 12 years and provide a legislative framework for provincial senatorial elections along the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Prime Minister's Powers, Responsible Government, Senate Reform | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

The History of Senate Reform, 1867 to 1913

Posted on 2011/10/13 by J.W.J. Bowden

I reviewed the political philosophical debate on the merits of the elective versus appointive upper house, and the elective Legislative Council in the earlier post. We’re all generally familiar with the modern proposals for Senate Reform (post-1980), essentially the “Triple-E … Continue reading →

Posted in Responsible Government, Senate Reform | 4 Comments