Contributor(s): Professor Jim Gallagher | This theme will explore the future of Scotland within the UK in the context of the 2014 independence referendum. The long-evolved case for independence will be examined alongside the arguments for staying within the Union. Devolution to Edinburgh has created a radically separate political and governmental system since 1999, with further fiscal reform due to take place in the aftermath of the 2014 referendum. How will Scotland's position in relation to the UK be affected by further devolution and are there implications for Wales, Northern Ireland and England?

Contributor(s): Professor Gerry Stoker | Reforms to Parliament and other key institutions, including issues such as the number of MPs and constituencies, changes to Parliamentary procedures, new types of committee and reform of the House of Lords will be examined.

Contributor(s): Professor Conor Gearty | Judges, the court system and wider justice arrangements are a major element in the British constitutional arrangements. European institutions also have a role. This lecture will consider the institutions concerned, recent reform and the range of views about possible future change.

Contributor(s): Professor Patrick Dunleavy | The development of political parties will be described as will party loyalty and bases of support. Protest voting and extremist parties will be analysed. The voting systems used in UK national and local elections will be examined.

Contributor(s): Professor Patrick Dunleavy | The development of political parties will be described as will party loyalty and bases of support. Protest voting and extremist parties will be analysed. The voting systems used in UK national and local elections will be examined.

Contributor(s): Professor Patrick Dunleavy | The development of political parties will be described as will party loyalty and bases of support. Protest voting and extremist parties will be analysed. The voting systems used in UK national and local elections will be examined.

Contributor(s): Professor Patrick Dunleavy | The development of political parties will be described as will party loyalty and bases of support. Protest voting and extremist parties will be analysed. The voting systems used in UK national and local elections will be examined.

Contributor(s): Professor Tony Travers | Examines the way taxation is determined and levied, and how public expenditure is planned and controlled. The operation of the Treasury as Britain’s ‘finance ministry’ within the context of the Parliamentary and legislative frameworks is described.

Contributor(s): Professor Tony Travers | Examines the way taxation is determined and levied, and how public expenditure is planned and controlled. The operation of the Treasury as Britain’s ‘finance ministry’ within the context of the Parliamentary and legislative frameworks is described.

Contributor(s): Professor Tony Travers | The importance of 19th century municipal development and the subsequent decline of local government power will be examined, along with its constitutional implications. Devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also be analysed.