Via Westminster Wisdom, Vino discusses assymetrical devolution of the British political system.
Australia uses the technology of federalism and a written constitution to separate the political responsibilities between the national government and the states.
The British constitution is a mix of practice, convention and statutes over time but until recently there has not been a growing layer of government outside the national parliament in London and the local councils.
The devolution and establishment of Scottish parliament, the Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland parliament, without the clear cut separations of federalism or confederacy have raised some issues. (more)
These are excerpts from the UK Chambers' Hansard of Gordon Brown's speech on Constitutional Reform. (more)
A
study in the UK
found that a majority of those polled, 61%, had committed petty offences against the government or the workplace. For instance, over a third had paid cash in order to avoid VAT(GST) and nearly one fifth had appropriated stationary from work.
(more)
The UK is planning to
track every movement of every car on the road
.
(more)
Countries like the US, Australia and Great Britain have gone through housing booms in the last decade. The global cities in those countries seeing double-digit home appreciation rates.
Bill Gross comments that the US economy has been growing, but in manner that is highly dependent upon home prices appreciating
.
(more)
