#UK: Parliament In Chaos After Scottish National Party Leader Blackford Removed, SNP MPs Walk Out

[world politics news]

The House of Commons descended into chaos Tuesday as the leader of the Scottish National Party in parliament, Ian Blackford, was expelled for trying to call a vote in the middle of Prime Minister's Question time, which was against protocol. Blackford was upset about the debate on devolution of powers to Scotland, which had been cut short. Blackford tried to use an arcane procedure demanding the 'House sit in private' - a motion that requires a vote of MPs on whether to clear public galleries. The entire SNP delegation walked out after he was expelled by House Speaker John Bercow.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#NORTHERNIRELAND: "Continued Devolution" Of Powers To N. Ireland Within Reunification An Idea Gaining Favor

[world politics news]

Achieving a united Ireland could involve “transitional arrangements” short of unity that could include continued devolved government in Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy recently told a peace conference - an idea that has gained favor recently as a possible way to achieve unification.

#NORTHERNIRELAND: UK Gov't Threatens To Take Back Welfare Powers From N. Ireland

[world politics news]

The British government is threatening to take supervision of welfare from the Northern Ireland Executive, to which it has devolved most legislative powers for the region. Two parties' politicians, particularly Sinn Féin and the SDLP, won't sign on to welfare cuts previously agreed to in the Stormont House Agreement.

Pictured: Theresa Villiers, the UK's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

#UK: Welsh Legislators Fear UK Will Abolish Welsh Assembly; Academics Unconcerned

[world politics news]

An academic at a Welsh think tank added that fears of the Assembly being abolished were not credible, despite concerns raised by legislators that a future UK government could easily eliminate the body, rather than increase its powers through greater devolution.

#UK: Scottish First Minister Criticizes Plan To Devolve Powers To Scotland As "Watered Down"

[world politics news]

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has criticized a UK proposal to devolve more powers to Scotland published this week as "watered down" and she says it does not fulfill Westminster's pre-referendum promises of significant devolution of powers from the United Kingdom to Scotland.

#UK: Poll Shows 80% Support Greater Devolution of Powers to #England, Local Areas

[world politics news]

#SCOTLAND: #Salmond Demands A "Powerhouse" Parliament for Scotland from Westminster

[world politics news]

#UK: Following "No" Vote, Cameron Vows Devolution for all UK Nations: "Millions of English Voices Must Be Heard"

[world politics news]