Weizhi Lai

Weizhi Lai

Email: weizhlai@liverpool.ac.uk

Thesis Title

The Function of the Opposition in Constitutional Change in the Westminster System: Brexit and Beyond

Institution

University of Liverpool

Supervisors

Professor Michael Gordon
Professor Thomas Horsley

Research Summary

My research aims to analyse the possible existence of a new, constitutional role for the Opposition, in contrast with the traditional characterisation of the Opposition as playing a primarily political role. Through an analysis of the Opposition’s role in the Brexit legislative process, my research will ascertain the functions of the Opposition in the UK’s current procedure of constitutional change.

And from this base, my research will be possible to explore further questions, concerning the constitutional role of the Opposition in relation to events subsequent to Brexit (such as the Covid pandemic and ongoing challenges relating to devolution), how the UK’s procedure for constitutional change could be reformed to integrate the Opposition in different ways, and whether there are lessons from the UK’s experience which might be relevant to other countries, especially those with similar Westminster-style parliamentary systems.

Research Interests

Public Law
Constitutional Theory
Political Philosophy
China’s Constitutional Law and Constitutional Theory

Publications

Coming soon

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