James Mitchell
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View article: Two cheers for Holyrood: devolution and dimensions of fiscal accountability
Two cheers for Holyrood: devolution and dimensions of fiscal accountability Open
Claims that there was a lack of accountability had been part of the backdrop to campaigns for a Scottish Parliament. Accountability had been one of the four principles that informed the Consultative Steering Group, set up by the UK Governm…
View article: Surges in Party Membership
Surges in Party Membership Open
This book presents a comprehensive analysis of a remarkable and unexpected outcome of the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence. Despite defeat in the Scottish referendum, the two leading parties in the Yes campaign the Scottish Nationa…
View article: Fiscal devolution and the accountability gap: budget scrutiny following tax devolution to Scotland
Fiscal devolution and the accountability gap: budget scrutiny following tax devolution to Scotland Open
Financing regional government involves trade-offs between own-source taxes and grants. Improved accountability has been an argument behind calls for greater tax devolution, but this argument relies upon effective scrutiny mechanisms existi…
View article: Choreography of Defeat: The Fall of the 1979 Government
Choreography of Defeat: The Fall of the 1979 Government Open
This article reassesses the attempt by the Labour government in 1979 to overcome challenges faced without an overall majority; the collapse of the Lib‐Lab Pact; internal party dissent; and referendum results on Scottish and Welsh devolutio…
View article: Public Policy Reform and Police Prevention Practice: A Journey Upstream?
Public Policy Reform and Police Prevention Practice: A Journey Upstream? Open
This article contributes to a growing body of research on the police reforms in Scotland. It examines the particular place given to prevention in public policy and its impact on police practice. We show how public policy reconfigured the p…
View article: Tribes and Turbulence: The 2019 UK General Election in Scotland
Tribes and Turbulence: The 2019 UK General Election in Scotland Open
The 2019
View article: Scotland: local government and politics
Scotland: local government and politics Open
Local elections were held across Scotland in May 2017, the third set using single transferable vote (see Chapter 2.3), during the early run-up to the snap general election of June 2017.There were some boundary changes, and though the SNP w…
View article: Experiencing Organizational Change During an Era of Reform: Police Scotland, Narratives of Localism, and Perceptions from the ‘Frontline’
Experiencing Organizational Change During an Era of Reform: Police Scotland, Narratives of Localism, and Perceptions from the ‘Frontline’ Open
In 2011, the Scottish Government took the decision to create a single, national police force, reconfiguring a structure of regional police forces, which had prevailed since the 19th century. Despite a strong narrative around localism in th…
View article: How the SNP’s post-referendum membership has changed the party – and what has stayed the same
How the SNP’s post-referendum membership has changed the party – and what has stayed the same Open
As the SNP meets in Aberdeen for its party conference, James Mitchell looks at the impact of the 2014 post-referendum surge in membership on the party’s organisation and finances, and how this precipitated the proposed changes to the party…
View article: Brexit and Scotland
Brexit and Scotland Open
In the 2016 Brexit referendum, Scotland voted decisively to Remain in the EU, while a UK-wide majority voted to Leave. This article discusses responses to the constitutional significance of a territorially divided result, both prior to and…
View article: Audit 2017: how democratic is local government in Scotland?
Audit 2017: how democratic is local government in Scotland? Open
Local authorities play key roles in the devolved government of Scotland, as the only other source of elected legitimacy and as checks and balances on the domestic concentration of power in Scotland’s central institutions. As part of the 20…
View article: Evaluation of Police and Fire Reform: Year 1 Summary Report
Evaluation of Police and Fire Reform: Year 1 Summary Report Open
Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) became operational in 2013 following the passing of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act in 2012. In terms of policing, the Act brought together the eight regional Police…