UK puts 'our own first' on jobs and demands tighter rules on donors

The country delivered its clearest message of the week on immigration: employers should put British nationals first. Should employers be required to advertise jobs to British nationals for 28 days before recruiting overseas? passed by nearly four to one, with the blunt case of "our own first" carrying the day even as sceptics warned it risked becoming mere box-ticking.

The verdicts

On the bigger constitutional question of immigration, the UK was more cautious. Should Parliament transfer ongoing power over immigration policy to direct citizen votes? was rejected by three in five, the prevailing mood captured by the line "do the job we hired you for."

Trust in politics took a hit too. Is tightening rules on mega-donors essential to restore trust in UK democracy? passed by three to one, the winning argument boiling down to "one person, one vote, not one pound, one vote." Even some opponents drew the line at million-pound gifts and called for greater transparency.

The country also said no to another Scottish vote. Should the UK government grant a second Scottish independence referendum? was turned down decisively, despite a strong losing argument that denying a Section 30 order amounts to suppressing basic democracy.

On the constitution, secularism edged heritage. Should the remaining Church of England bishops be removed from the House of Lords? passed narrowly, both sides agreeing the automatic religious seats expose the Lords' unresolved logic.

In personnel news, the UK backed resignation. Should Nigel Farage resign after 'plotting to break law on foreign donations'? scraped through, though the sharpest voices insisted a television sting is not the same as a conviction.

Education proved the tightest call. Should the government increase overall education spending to better support children with SEND? passed by the slimmest of margins, the strongest counter-argument warning that pouring money into an unreformed system is simply filling a leaking bucket.

Finally, on rights the country drew a firm line against overreach. Should 'transgender identity' be removed from the proposed 'conversion therapy' ban? carried by three in five, the room animated less by equal protection than by the fear of criminalising legitimate questions.

Voting continues today on fresh questions.

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