The United Kingdom has historically played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith in the 19th century, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two world wars and the Irish Republic's withdrawal from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO and the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999. The latter was suspended until May 2007 due to wrangling over the peace process, but devolution was fully completed in March 2010.
The UK was an active member of the EU from 1973 to 2016, although it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union. However, frustrated by a remote bureaucracy in Brussels and massive migration into the country, UK citizens on 23 June 2016 narrowly voted to leave the EU. The so-called “Brexit” will take years to carry out but could be the signal for referenda in other EU countries where skepticism of EU membership benefits is strong.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 782Farmers' protests in India and agricultural reforms
Abstracted from executive summary:
The Indian Central Government introduced three agricultural reform bills in June 2020. These Bills, known collectively as the farm laws, were passed by the Indian Parliament at the end of September. Opposition figures and protesting farmers complained there was little consultation over the legislation. On 19 November 2021, after nearly a year of mass protests against the laws, the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, made a surprise announcement that his Government would repeal the farm laws.
Report of a Home Office fact-finding mission to Sri Lanka
ABSTRACTED FROM PURPOSE OF THIS MISSION: The purpose of the mission was to gather accurate and up-to-date information from a range of sources about a number of issues concerning the treatment of Tamils including the government’s attitude to diaspora activities and the treatment of members of diaspora groups, in particular members of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE). The mission was also interested in gathering information about the treatment of members and former members of the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE).
Town and Country Planning (Permission in Principle) (Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 1309 of 2017).
These Regulations amend the Town and Country Planning (Permission in Principle) Order 2017 to allow local planning authorities to grant permission in principle for development the main purpose of which is housing development on an application to the authority in accordance with provisions inserted into that Order by this instrument. They also concern (exemption from) environmental impact assessment procedures. The Regulations also make minor amendments to the Statutory Instruments listed in Schedule 2.
Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Supplementary, Consequential, Transitory and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2017 (S.S.I. No. 416 of 2017).
These Regulations make provision in relation to bringing into force sections 83 (core path plans) and 84 (access rights: service of court applications) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016. They also make transitory provision so that the references to “a repairing tenancy” inserted into various enactments by the provisions of schedule 1 are to be ignored until such time as section 92 of the 2016 Act comes into force for all purposes.
Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Supplementary, Consequential, Transitory and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2017 (S.S.I. No. 400 of 2017).
These Regulations amend the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 by inserting a new paragraph (3A) into section 19 of the Act to require the Scottish Ministers to send a copy of the statement of accounts provided by the Commission to the Auditor General for Scotland for auditing. Part 2 of the Act establishes the Scottish Land Commission (“the Commission”). Section 19 of the Act makes provision regarding the accounts of the Commission.
Amends: Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (2016 asp 18). (2016-04-22)