The Audacity of Nope: Meaningful fiscal accountability remains a pipe dream for Wales

Welsh Labour has hitherto refused to accept income tax devolution, arguing accepting such responsibilities would be economically detrimental to Wales without a reform of the Barnett funding formula. Recent comments made by Owen Smith, Shadow Secretary of Wales, however, leaves little doubt about the overall attitude of Welsh Labour to the first report of the Silk Commission and fiscal accountability: they don’t want it. Combined with the blundering UK government, meaningful fiscal accountability will remain a pipe dream for Wales, writes Adam Evans

Electoral system dynamics are fundamental to understanding why comparisons between the FDP and the Liberal Democrats are ultimately somewhat misguided

The recent German elections saw the demise of the FDP, the junior coalition partner whose support had plummeted while serving in government. This has prompted comparisons with the situation in which the Liberal Democrats find themselves. However, Adam Evans writes that, because the two parties operate in radically divergent electoral arenas, there are limits to how far one can take these comparisons and see the FDP’s demise as a reason for the Lib Dems to break out into open panic

The Lib Dem’s failings on the English Question are a damning indictment for a party which claims to believe in a federal future for the UK

In a climate where there is high English public dissatisfaction with the constitutional and social status quo, one would be inclined to expect that the only major ostensibly federal political party would be in their element brandishing a comprehensive alternative. But Adam Evans argues that, on the contrary, the Liberal Democrats lack a clear vision when it comes to the English question