Welcome
The Federal Trust is a research institute studying the interactions between regional, national, European and global levels of government. Founded in 1945 on the initiative of Sir William Beveridge, it has long made a powerful contribution to the study of federalism and federal systems. It has always had a particular interest in the European Union and Britain’s place in it.
The Federal Trust has no allegiance to any political party. It is registered as a charity for the purposes of education and research.
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FEATURED ARTICLE
Video: The End of the United Kingdom? It may come sooner than we think
In this video, our Council member John Palmer and Senior Research Fellow Dr Andrew Blick discuss the threats to the internal cohesion of the United Kingdom arising from Brexit and Covid-19. They believe in particular that it will be difficult to avoid holding a second referendum on independence for Scotland. [...]
Covid & Brexit: Twin Challenges for London and the North East of England (full eBook)
The consequences of Brexit and Covid-19 will be felt throughout the country for many years to come. They will vary however in scope and intensity between the UK’s regions. The Federal Trust has compiled a collection of essays focussing on the challenges now facing two specific regions of the country, London [...]
RECENTLY PUBLISHED
Scotland’s Elections and the Fragmenting UK: Where Next?
In Scotland, there is a real sense of its politics and the constitutional debate moving into a new phase as the aftermath of the pro-independence SNP and Green parties’ success in the elections sinks in. [...]
Webinar: Covid-19 and centralism in British Government
Wednesday, 16the June 2021 12.00 - 13.30 BST Online event on Zoom REGISTER HERE This will be the second event in our new series of webinars on "Federal Futures?". Our speakers will discuss how the [...]
Webinar: Federal Futures – Administration Matters?
ADMINISTRATION MATTERS? Wednesday, 19 May 2021 12.30 – 14.00 (BST) Webinar on Zoom REGISTER HERE The first event of our new series of webinars on "Federal Futures?" will look at the changing structures and [...]
Webinar Series: Federal Futures?
The Covid-19 crisis, the Government’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda and the SNPs desire for another Scottish independence referendum are together raising issues about the various tiers and responsibilities of UK governments. Professor Colin Talbot, Emeritus Professor of Government at [...]
Building Bridges in times of Divergence
Within ten days after the finalisation of the UK withdrawal from the EU, the European Union is to start an ambitious Conference on the Future of Europe. The aim of the Conference is to discuss [...]
Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children Age Assessment Changes Pose Safeguarding Risk
by Aaron Gates-Lincoln, Political Advisor and Writer at ImmiNews New government proposals to reform age assessments are putting asylum-seeking children at serious risk of mistakenly being deemed to be adults. The plans would allow more invasive [...]
Video: The End of the United Kingdom? It may come sooner than we think
In this video, our Council member John Palmer and Senior Research Fellow Dr Andrew Blick discuss the threats to the internal cohesion of the United Kingdom arising from Brexit and Covid-19. They believe in particular [...]
100 Days of Brexit – the Phoney War Against Europe
The first months of Brexit are a bit like the phoney war of autumn 1939 and winter-spring of 1940. No-one really know what its full impact will be. One thing is certain. Brexit has not [...]
A United Ireland – An Empty Slogan?
In May 2021 Northern Ireland will mark the hundredth year of its existence. These years have been marked by long periods of turmoil rather than any sense of contentment or stability. There has been and [...]
Video: Brexit and the City of London: April 2021 Update
Our Council member Graham Bishop provides an update on the Brexit 'hit' to the City of London, following his recent and well-received blog and video conversation with the Director of the Federal Trust, Brendan Donnelly, [...]