The Constitution Unit

Artificial intelligence (AI) is predicted to transform many aspects of our lives in the coming years. One of these is the functioning of the democratic system. AI could shift how election campaigns are conducted and how citizens receive and process information. It could also fundamentally alter patterns of power across society. So what potential effects of AI on democracy should we be particularly aware of? To what degree are there opportunities as well as dangers? And how should policy-makers respond? We discussed these questions with an expert panel.Speakers:Danielle Allen, James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University, specialising in political philosophy, public policy, and ethics, and Founder and Chairperson of Partners In Democracy.Helen Margetts, Professor of Society and the Internet at the Oxford Internet Institute at the University of Oxford, and Director of the Public Policy programme at the Alan Turing Institute.Ciaran Martin, Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, and formerly Chief Executive of the UK government's National Cyber Security Centre.Chair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution UnitAdditional reading:'The Real Dangers of Generative AI' by Danielle Allen and E. Glen Weyl  Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: constitution-unit.com

Talk of possible reforms to the Stormont institutions has been growing recently, spurred by concerns about repeated institutional collapses, perceived inequities between different parts of society, and criticisms of the institutions' record in governance. But what options for reform are there, and what impacts might these have if implemented? A newly published report from the Constitution Unit at University College London addresses these questions. It does not draw conclusions, but aims to promote wider, more coherent and better-informed debate.This public event, hosted in collaboration with the Democracy Unit at Queen's University Belfast, offered an occasion for such debate. The report's authors were joined by leading experts to explore the ideas and possible ways forward.Speakers:Professor Katy Hayward – Professor of Political Sociology, Queen's University BelfastProfessor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution UnitAnn Watt – Director of PivotalAlan Whysall, Honorary Senior Research Associate at the Constitution UnitChair: Professor John Garry, Director of the Democracy Unit, Queen's University BelfastRead the report  Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: constitution-unit.com

Political parties are central to the functioning of representative democracy in the UK, playing a crucial role during and between elections. How parties fund their activities is thus a vital question, and one that has been much discussed in recent months. New controversies have shone a light on long-standing debates about who can donate to political parties, how much they can donate, and the transparency of their donations. So what are the strengths and weaknesses of the UK's party funding regulations? Are the current regulations sufficiently robust, fair, and transparent? And if not, how might they be improved? We discussed these questions with an expert panel.Jackie Killeen – Director of Electoral Administration and Regulation, Electoral CommissionLord (Mark) Pack – President, Liberal DemocratsProfessor Justin Fisher – Professor of Political Science, Brunel University of LondonDr Jess Garland – Director of Research and Policy, Electoral Reform SocietyChair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: constitution-unit.com

Politics in the UK has been in turmoil in recent years — Brexit, Covid, movements for independence in Scotland and Northern Ireland, rule-breaking Prime Ministers and now the shockwaves from Donald Trump's return to the White House. These pressures have tested the UK's political system, raising serious questions about whether constitutional reforms are needed.In this episode, we dive into a new report from the UCL Constitution Unit, which examines possible constitutional changes, their likelihood of passing, and whether they could truly address the challenges the UK faces. Our guests are two of the report's authors:Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit and Professor of British and Comparative Politics at UCLLisa James – Senior Research Fellow at the Constitution UnitOur host, Alan Renwick, also a co-author of the report, leads the discussion on possible constitutional reforms, their feasibility, and what reforms could be on the horizon.Mentioned in this episode:The Constitutional Landscape: Options for Reform, by Lisa James, Patrick Thomas, Alan Renwick and Meg Russell.S7:E10 A Primer on House of Lords Reform, with Meg Russell. Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: constitution-unit.com

Recent years have seen frequent complaints about the quality of legislative scrutiny by parliament, and particularly by the House of Commons. Various commentators and experts have argued that the scrutiny of proposed laws is too often rushed and/or inadequate, leading to worse policy outcomes for citizens. This online seminar will explore a number of important questions. What problems are there with the legislative process? Have they got worse? And what can be done to fix them?Speakers: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution UnitSir David Natzler – former Clerk of the House of CommonsDr Daniel Gover – Senior Lecturer in British Politics, Queen Mary University of LondonChair: Lisa James – Senior Research Fellow, Constitution UnitFurther readingProf Meg Russell's research on the decline of parliamentary scrutinyProf Meg Russell and Dr Daniel Gover's book: Legislation at Westminster: Parliamentary Actors and Influence in the Making of British Law  Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: constitution-unit.com

Parliament is at the heart of democracy—it's where voters are represented, laws are debated, and key decisions are made. But who really controls what gets discussed and how time is allocated?In the UK, that power lies overwhelmingly with the government, leaving most MPs with little say over what they debate. That seems odd—after all, parliament is supposed to be sovereign. So why does it allow the government, a supposedly subordinate body, to set its agenda?To unravel this, Prof Alan Renwick is joined by Dr Tom Fleming, Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics at UCL and a member of the UCL Constitution Unit. Mentioned in this episode:Fleming, Thomas G., Simon Hix and Radoslaw Zubek. 2024. “ The Origins of Centralized Agenda Control at Westminster: Consensus or Controversy?” Legislative Studies QuarterlyThe controversial origins of centralised agenda control at Westminster. Constitution Unit Blog Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: constitution-unit.com

The Labour government has committed to lowering the voting age for Westminster elections from 18 to 16. This proposal raises a number of questions for policymakers to consider. What might be the consequences of widening the franchise in this way? What practical steps will be required to implement this change and – just as importantly – to ensure it works well? In particular, how might teaching about politics in schools need to change? And what can be learned from other elections, in the UK and beyond, in which 16 and 17 year olds are able to vote? An expert panel discusses these questions.Speakers:Liz Moorse – CEO of the Association for Citizenship TeachingDr Christine Huebner – Lecturer in Quantitative Social Sciences, University of SheffieldMarcus Flucker – Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Angus SouthChair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: constitution-unit.com

This year's UK general election saw a range of concerns about the quality of election discourse. Alongside evidence of many candidates facing abuse and intimidation, the campaign also saw the spread – particularly online – of misinformation and disinformation. Meanwhile, Labour and the Conservatives were accused of a ‘conspiracy of silence' about the costing of party manifesto pledges, and voters faced difficulties knowing where to turn for trustworthy sources of information.These challenges all threaten to undermine the UK's democratic process. So how can they be tackled? This webinar will bring together experts from the Electoral Commission, Full Fact, and the Jo Cox Civility Commission to discuss options for practical solutions.Speakers:Michela Palese – Head of Policy, Electoral CommissionChris Morris – CEO, Full FactHannah Phillips – Manager, Jo Cox Civility CommissionChair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit LinksWebsite: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involvedBlog: https://constitution-unit.com/

Opposition parties play a crucial role in parliamentary democracy, scrutinising the government and putting forward alternative policies. But what makes opposition parties effective, both inside parliament and beyond? As the Conservative Party announced its new leader, this expert panel with first-hand experience of life in opposition discussed the task facing them and the other opposition parties.Speakers:Baroness (Kate) Fall – former Deputy Chief of Staff to David Cameron, and Conservative peerProfessor Marc Stears – former chief speechwriter to the Labour Party, and Director of the UCL Policy LabDr Nigel Fletcher – co-founder of the Centre for Opposition StudiesChair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit LinksWebsite: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involvedBlog: https://constitution-unit.com/

This autumn the House of Commons has elected a raft of new select committee chairs who will play an important role in holding the government to account over the coming years. But there are many ways to chair a select committee, and new chairs will need to think carefully about what they want to achieve and how to go about it.This webinar brings together three senior former MPs and select committee chairs to discuss their experiences, and their reflections on how to use the role most effectively.Speakers:Baroness (Margaret) Hodge of Barking – former chair of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, Labour peer, and former Labour MPSir Charles Walker – former chair of the House of Commons Procedure Committee and Administration Committee, and former Conservative MPJoanna Cherry KC – former chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights and former SNP MPChair: Lisa James – Senior Research Fellow at the Constitution Unit LinksWebsite: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involvedBlog: https://constitution-unit.com/

The House of Commons has established a new Modernisation Committee with a remit ‘to consider reforms to House of Commons procedures, standards, and working practices'. This reflects a Labour manifesto commitment, and echoes the Modernisation Committee appointed in 1997 under the last Labour government.As the committee gets up and running this autumn, it faces a number of important questions. How should it approach its work, what issues might it address, and what lessons can it learn from past efforts to reform the Commons? We discussed these questions with an expert panel.Speakers:Greg Power – former special adviser to two Leaders of the House of Commons, and Founder and Board Chair of Global Partners GovernanceDr Sue Griffiths – Clerk to the previous House of Commons Modernisation Committee 2007–08, and Managing Director of Social Development DirectDr Tom Fleming – Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics, Constitution UnitChair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution UnitUseful reading:Commons Modernisation Committee publishes key strategic aims for reformThe House of Commons Modernisation Committee: background, opportunities, and potential pitfalls by Tom Fleming and Hannah KellyThe personal side of parliamentary reform by Greg PowerFor those interested in keeping up to date with the Modernisation Committee, you can subscribe to its email list using this link. LinksWebsite: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involvedBlog: https://constitution-unit.com/

The composition and role of the House of Lords are subject to frequent question. Since the last major change by a Labour government in 1999, proposals for further reform have ranged from wholesale change – e.g. creating an elected second chamber of the nations and regions – to smaller alterations to change the appointments system or to limit the chamber's size. To what extent should a new government prioritise House of Lords reform, and what specifically should be the priorities? If the Conservatives lose office, what challenges might be posed by their still being the largest single group in the upper chamber?  LinksWebsite: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involvedBlog: https://constitution-unit.com/

The role of courts and judges has been controversial in recent years, with criticism of both domestic judges and the European Court of Human Rights. Several government bills have raised difficult questions about the respective roles of government, parliament, and the courts. Has the rule of law been undermined by recent trends in policymaking or political discourse? If so, what should be done to bolster and protect it in the future?  LinksWebsite: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involvedBlog: https://constitution-unit.com/

The last two decades have seen major changes in the structure of sub-national government within England, with the gradual devolution of powers to a range of new mayors and combined authorities. How should this patchwork of devolution be built upon? Should structures be more consistent across the country? Should further powers be devolved, and – if so – to whom? What steps are required to ensure that this devolved power faces appropriate scrutiny and accountability? Speakers:Professor Tony Travers – Director of LSE London and Visiting Professor at the LSEProfessor Joanie Willett – Associate Professor in Politics and Co-Director of the Institute of Cornish Studies, University of ExeterAkash Paun – Programme Director, Institute for GovernmentEd Cox – Executive Director for Strategy, Economy and Net Zero at the West Midlands Combined AuthorityChair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit  LinksWebsite: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involvedBlog: https://constitution-unit.com/

The 2019–24 parliament has been dogged by complaints of low standards of conduct by our politicians. Rishi Sunak has committed to upholding the ideals of ‘integrity, professionalism, and accountability', while Labour has promised to overhaul how standards are regulated in government and parliament. What are the priorities in this area for a new government to address? Does this require cultural changes, institutional reforms, or both? Which changes or reforms might be most effective? Speakers:Dominic Grieve KC – Chair of the UK Governance Project, former Attorney General and Conservative MPPeter Riddell – former Commissioner for Public Appointments, Director of the Institute for Government and journalistTim Durrant – Programme Director, Institute for GovernmentChair: Professor Meg Russell FBA – Director of the Constitution Unit  Episode links:The joint statement on standards  LinksWebsite: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involvedBlog: https://constitution-unit.com/

The podcast originally appeared on 'Uncovering Politics' from UCL's Department of Political Science. In the run up to the UK General Election we have a special episode on opinion polls. Opinion polling is a staple of modern elections, captivating political enthusiasts with fluctuating numbers but also sparking controversy. Polls are sometimes criticized for inaccuracies, notably in the Brexit referendum and the 2016 US presidential election. Polling methods, including sampling and voter prediction, are hotly debated. The emergence of MRP polls, which accurately estimated results in the 2017 UK election, has added to the intrigue, despite producing widely varying predictions for the outcome of the current UK election. So what should we make of the polls? And how can we best interpret all the numbers to understand what's really going on?Our guest is Prof Ben Lauderdale. Ben is Professor of Political Science here at UCL, a former Senior Data Science Advisor to the polling firm YouGov, the original brain behind the development of MRP methods and general polling guru.UCL's Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of all fields of politics, including international relations, political theory, human rights, public policy-making and administration. The Department is recognised for its world-class research and policy impact, ranking among the top departments in the UK on both the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and the latest Guardian rankings. LinksWebsite: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involvedBlog: https://constitution-unit.com/

Whatever the result of the upcoming general election, a large number of new MPs will enter the House of Commons. A well-designed induction programme will be crucial for helping them to find their feet and become effective parliamentarians. So what do new MPs need to know about their roles in parliament and beyond? How might this differ from in the past, and how might such induction best be delivered? We discussed these questions with experts from the Hansard Society and Institute for Government, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, and a former MP.SpeakersDr Ruth Fox – Director of the Hansard SocietyDr Hannah White – Director of the Institute for GovernmentDaniel Greenberg – Parliamentary Commissioner for StandardsAlistair Burt – former Conservative MP and ministerChair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit LinksWebsite: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involvedBlog: https://constitution-unit.com/

Recent years have seen many changes to election regulations in the UK. These changes affect key aspects of how elections are fought and administered, including party spending, voter identification, the voting rights of citizens living abroad, and the electoral system used to elect mayors and police and crime commissioners.So what has changed, what effects might these changes have, and what challenges do they present for parties, candidates, and electoral administrators? An expert panel discussed these questions a week before the 2 May local elections.SpeakersLaura Lock – Deputy Chief Executive of the Association of Electoral AdministratorsLord (Paul) Tyler – Liberal Democrat peer and former MP, co-author of the 2023 book Can Parliament Take Back Control?Professor Alistair Clark – Professor of Political Science, Newcastle UniversityChair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit LinksWebsite: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involvedBlog: https://constitution-unit.com/

The UK's recent air strikes on the Houthis in Yemen have renewed discussion about parliament's role in approving military action. The government is not constitutionally required to consult parliament on military deployments, and can choose whether and when to seek MPs' approval. So what is parliament's current role? Should this be changed, as some opposition parties have suggested? If so, what are some of the possibilities and challenges?In this webinar, an expert panel discuss parliament's current role, and whether reform is desirable or feasible.Speakers:David Lidington – Chair of the Royal United Services Institute, former Conservative MP for Aylesbury, and former Minister for the Cabinet Office, Lord Chancellor, and Leader of the House of CommonsDr Veronika Fikfak – Associate Professor in International Law, University College LondonDr James Strong – Senior Lecturer in British Politics and Foreign Policy, Queen Mary University of LondonChair: Lisa James – Research Fellow, Constitution UnitDiagram of parliamentary war conventionUseful reading:How might Keir Starmer codify his Prevention of Military Intervention Act? by Robert Hazell Parliament's Secret War by Veronika Fikfak and Hayley J. Hooper The war powers of the British parliament: What has been established, and what remains unclear? by James Strong  

Protest is a fundamental part of democracy. From thousands attending pro-Palestine marches in London, to farmers driving their tractors into Paris, Berlin, and Cardiff, to Just Stop Oil spraying UCL's famous portico orange – protests are rarely out of the spotlight.But what do protests actually achieve? Do they affect political debate and policy outcomes?A new study sheds light on that, focusing on the impact of climate protests here in the UK on what MPs talk about – both in parliament itself and online.One of the co-authors of that article is Tom Fleming, Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics, who joins us for this episode.Mentioned in this episode:Barrie, C., Fleming, T. G., and Rowan, S. S. (2023) ‘Does Protest Influence Political Speech? Evidence from UK Climate Protest, 2017-2019', British Journal of Political Science.

On 1 February a cross-party expert commission, the UK Governance Project, chaired by former Conservative Attorney General Dominic Grieve, published its report. It makes various proposals for improving governance standards in the UK, aimed at restoring high standards of integrity in public office, enhancing the role of parliament, improving working between ministers and the civil service, and protecting democracy. What are the commission's proposals? How could they be implemented? Could they improve how the UK is governed?This webinar will discuss the commission's report with its chair, Dominic Grieve, and Helen MacNamara, another member of the commission, with opportunities for the audience to put questions to its authors.Speakers:Dominic Grieve – chair of the UK Governance Project, former Attorney General for England and Wales, and former Conservative MP for BeaconsfieldHelen MacNamara – former Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Director General of the Cabinet Office Propriety and Constitution GroupChair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution UnitFurther reading:Read the commission's reportRead a summary of the report on our blog by Dominic Grieve

The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales launched its final report in January 2024. Its recommendations – which  assessed options for ‘entrenched devolution', full federalism, and Welsh independence – have implications for the whole UK. How would such arrangements be viewed outside Wales? How would they function in practice? Would they affect constitutional debates in Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland?This webinar discusses these UK-wide implications with an expert panel including the Commission's Co-chair, Professor Laura McAllister.Speakers:Laura McAllister - Professor of Public Policy at Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre and co-chair of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of WalesNicola McEwen - Professor of Public Policy in the College of Social Sciences and Director of the Centre for Public Policy at the University of GlasgowCiaran Martin - Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations at the Blavatnik School of Government and former Constitution Director in the Cabinet OfficeChair: Alan Renwick - Professor of Democratic Politics and Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit

How parliaments hold ministers (particularly prime ministers) to account is a fundamental part of parliamentary democracy. And one of those mechanisms of accountability involves asking questions. We take a good hard look at how – and how effectively – parliaments question prime ministers.We are joined by Dr Ruxandra Serban, Associate Lecturer in Democratic and Authoritarian Politics here in the UCL Department of Political Science. Her research focuses directly on parliamentary questioning processes.

Peace in Northern Ireland is widely recognised as one of the leading achievements of politics in recent decades.  The Good Friday, or Belfast Agreement, reached in 1998 by the British and Irish governments and most of the main Northern Ireland political parties brought an end to thirty years of violent conflict in which over three and a half thousand people were killed.It did so in part by establishing a system of power-sharing government.  A new Northern Ireland Assembly would be elected by proportional representation, so no one group could dominate. Within the new Northern Ireland Executive, representatives of Northern Ireland's two political traditions would have to work together.Over the years since the Agreement was reached, the power-sharing institutions have worked well some of the time. But for others they have worked badly or not at all. Since February 2022 their functioning has once again been suspended. Public anger at this situation is intense. Negotiations for restoring the institutions are ongoing. But, as yet, there has been no breakthrough.Indeed, the situation has become so grave that many think the future viability of power-sharing government is now in doubt. And there are suggestions that the settlement reached in 1998 may need to be revisited.In this episode we're joined by two experts:Alan Whysall is an Honorary Senior Research Associate at the Constitution Unit here within the UCL Department of Political Science. He was previously a senior civil servant in the Northern Ireland Office, where he worked for many years on the Northern Ireland peace process – including the talks that led to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.Conor Kelly is a Research Assistant at the Constitution where he has worked on multiple projects relating to Northern Ireland, most recently examining perceptions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement among politicians and the public in Northern Ireland. Mentioned in this episode:Alan Whysall's reports: 'Report 1: Northern Ireland's Political Future' and 'Report 2: The Agreement at 25' https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/northern-irelands-political-futureConor Kelly and Alan Renwick, Perspectives on the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement 

Over the past two years, a Constitution Unit team has been examining public attitudes to democracy in the UK. The project's final report draws together the findings – from two large-scale surveys and a citizens' assembly – and reflects on implications for policy-makers. It examines what kind of democracy people in the UK want and consider what changes in policy or behaviour may be needed in response.Marking the report's launch, this seminar gathered several leading figures from Westminster, together with an expert on public attitudes and members of the project team, to explore the findings and identify possible next steps.Speakers:Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Shadow Cabinet Office MinisterWendy Chamberlain MP, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip in the House of CommonsDamian Green MP, former First Secretary of State and chair of the One Nation ConservativesProfessor Maria Sobolewska, Professor of Political Science, University of ManchesterProfessor Alan Renwick, Deputy Director of the Constitution UnitChair: Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution UnitUseful Links:Read the report (pdf)The Future of Democracy in the UKDemocracy in the UK after Brexit

Mark D'Arcy recently retired after spending 21 years covering events at Westminster for the BBC. During that time he built up an unparalleled knowledge of the institution, its procedures and dynamics, with insider access to innumerable key players and a ringside seat at important political moments large and small. This conversation discussed his key reflections on parliament and parliamentary journalism, and how they have changed in the last two decades.Features:Mark D'arcy in conversation with Professor Meg RussellUseful linksYou can see the next Constitution Unit event here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/events/2023/nov/future-democracy-uk-public-attitudes-and-policy-options Mark D'Arcy on the UK&EU podcast: https://ukandeu.ac.uk/podcasts/mark-darcy-on-his-career-at-the-bbc-and-how-brexit-has-changed-parliament/ The Hansard Sociey: https://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/  (we will add a link to Marks new podcast with them when it becomes available) Subscribe to our mailing list here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/subscribe

The recent book by journalist and author Ian Dunt provides a detailed and critical account of many aspects of the UK's political system, including political parties and elections, parliament and the legislative process, the work of ministers and civil servants in Whitehall, and the role of the media. The book analyses various perceived problems, and proposes a range of possible solutions. In this seminar Ian presents some of his key arguments, and responds to comments and questions from a panel of experts and the online audience. Speakers: Ian Dunt, journalist and authorDr Ruth Fox, Director of the Hansard SocietyJill Rutter, Senior Research Fellow at UK in a Changing Europe and Senior Fellow at the Institute for GovernmentProfessor Alan Renwick, Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL Chair: Dr Tom Fleming, Constitution Unit, UCLYou can buy Ian's book here.

Adopting a more proportional electoral system is opposed by the Conservative Party, and by the Labour leader, but attracts growing support elsewhere. Would such reform be desirable or practical, and what might be its consequences? What might politicians wish to consider regarding other aspects of our elections, such as the minimum voting age, voter ID rules, or the reform proposals of the Law Commissions? How might any such changes be delivered?SpeakersCat Smith MP – Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood and former shadow minister for the Cabinet OfficeLord (Robert) Hayward – Conservative peerJohn Pullinger – Chair of the Electoral CommissionProfessor Sarah Birch – Professor of Political Science at King's College LondonChair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL

This final keynote session considered the practicalities of delivering constitutional change in the round, whether under the current government, or a new Conservative, Labour, or coalition administration after the next general election. What kinds of changes might be ‘quick wins', and which might instead take longer to deliver? How is the balance to be reached between public consultation, parliamentary scrutiny and achieving desired changes? Two senior figures with huge experience at the heart of British government reflected on these challenges.SpeakersLord (Charlie) Falconer of Thoroton – Labour peer, and former Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord ChancellorDavid Lidington – former Conservative MP for Aylesbury, and former Minister for the Cabinet Office, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Lord Chancellor, and Leader of the House of CommonsChair: Professor Meg Russell FBA – Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL

The issue of ensuring high standards of behaviour in public life remains high-profile following the Johnson and Truss premierships. Rishi Sunak pledged to lead a government of ‘integrity, professionalism, and accountability' when he first became Prime Minister, while Labour has proposed an extensive overhaul to the UK's system of standards regulation. What are the key problems in the current system, and what reforms could most successfully address them?SpeakersLord (David) Anderson of Ipswich – Crossbench peer, and former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism LegislationDr Hannah White – Director of the Institute for GovernmentJeremy Wright MP – Conservative MP for Kenilworth and Southam, former Attorney General and former member of the Committee on Standards in Public LifeChair: Professor Meg Russell FBA – Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL

Relations between the political branches and the courts have been strained in recent years. Pushback against the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights has spilled over into determined attempts to ‘clip the wings' of the UK's own courts, with renewed interest in ‘ouster clauses' and attempts to repeal the Human Rights Act, against a steady drumbeat of complaint that courts have become too powerful in our constitutional arrangements. How can the damage be repaired? What should be the priorities of a future government interested in restoring the UK's battered reputation as a rule of law-regarding nation?Speakers includeLaura Farris MP – Conservative MP for Newbury and former practising barrister at MatrixEmily Thornberry MP - Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury, and Shadow Attorney GeneralFiona Rutherford – Chief Executive, JusticeChair: Murray Hunt – Director of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law

Uncertainties over the UK's future territorial politics are great. The SNP is in turmoil, and the UK government's block on Holyrood's gender legislation is being challenged in the courts. Labour's Brown Commission has recommended major changes, and further proposals are being developed in Wales. Renewed devolution within England is on the cards. Is fundamental reform of the UK's territorial arrangements needed? If so, what might this mean in practice?SpeakersDr Anwen Elias – Reader in Politics at Aberystwyth University, and member of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of WalesKezia Dugdale – Director of the John Smith Centre at the University of Glasgow, and former Leader of the Scottish Labour PartyProfessor Michael Kenny - Director of the Bennett Institute for Public Policy, University of CambridgeChair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL

The last few years have seen frequent controversy about parliament's role, and the government's openness to parliamentary accountability. Concerns have focused on parliament's ability to scrutinise primary legislation, delegated legislation, and international treaties, and on the role of the House of Lords. What are the proper scrutiny roles of MPs and peers? Do they have the opportunities and resources to fulfil these? If not, what reforms might be needed?SpeakersThangam Debbonaire MP – Labour MP for Bristol West and Shadow Leader of the House of CommonsProfessor the Lord (Philip) Norton of Louth – Conservative peer, and Professor of Government at the University of HullDr Brigid Fowler – Senior Researcher, Hansard SocietyAlexander Horne – barrister, and Visiting Professor at Durham UniversityChair: Dr Tom Fleming – Constitution Unit, UCL

Recent years have seen rising global concern about ‘democratic backsliding', whereby political leaders challenge democratic norms and institutions and dismantle checks and balances on the executive. What can be done to combat these trends? In particular, how can international actors, and domestic actors such as opposition forces and civil society, work constructively to counteract or contain attempted backsliding? What is the UK's role in such debates? In this seminar, an expert panel will discuss what we can learn from existing responses to backsliding around the world.Speakers:Professor Kim Lane Scheppele, Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Sociology and International Affairs at Princeton UniversityKen Godfrey, Executive Director of the European Partnership for DemocracyDr Seema Shah, Head of Democracy Assessment at International IDEAChair: Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution UnitUseful reading:What is democratic backsliding and is the UK at risk? by Meg Russell, Alan Renwick, and Lisa JamesThe anatomy of democratic backsliding: could it happen here? by Stephan Haggard and Robert R Kaufman

Our democratic system is not working as well as it should: on this, both the public and most experts agree. But what exactly are the problems? What are the pros and cons of the potential solutions? And are such changes feasible? Drawing on recent Constitution Unit research into public attitudes to democracy, as well as his own work on electoral systems, referendums, citizens' assemblies and other democratic institutions, Alan Renwick explores answers to each of these questions. Alan argues that there are no quick fixes, but that a series of changes in institutions, practices, and behaviours may lead to valuable improvements.With an introduction by Prof Meg Russell and an appreciation by Prof Anand Menon.

Debates over standards in public life have a long history. Their evolution is partly cyclical, reflecting reactions to extended periods of one party in office. But there is also long-term growth in a belief that ministers cannot be trusted to behave well and that more formal structures are needed to check their power. Of late, the view that the abuses and challenges to institutional checks have been greater under some recent prime ministers – particularly Boris Johnson – has produced what amounts to a culture war between, on the one hand, defenders of the elected government – often citing an almost presidential mandate dismissing unelected regulators and judges – and, on the other hand, critics who would constrain or even eliminate ministers from some decisions. This debate is in danger of becoming very polarised. So where can a new balance be achieved? In this lecture, Peter Riddell will argue that the solution must recognise the legitimate rights of ministers as the elected government while also strengthening independent scrutiny where needed. Parliamentary committees should also play a more active role in holding both ministers and watchdogs/regulators to account. Introduction by Prof Meg Russell. Response by Rt Hon Jack Straw. Professor Sir Peter Riddell Peter Riddell was appointed an Honorary Professor at UCL in March 2022. He has taken a long interest in constitutional issues, parliament and standards in public life, both as a journalist and subsequently in various other roles. He joined the Financial Times in 1970 after graduating from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, with a degree in History and Economics. He served as Political Editor for seven years before becoming the paper's Washington Bureau Chief. He joined The Times in 1991 serving as its chief political commentator until he retired from journalism after the 2010 election. He has written ten books on politics, parliament and political careers. Towards the end of his journalistic career, he became involved in other activities, initially as a trustee and then chair of the Hansard Society from 2007 until 2012, and then as Senior Fellow and then Director/Chief Executive of the Institute for Government from 2012 until 2016. He served for 18 months as a member of the Gibson inquiry into the involvement of UK intelligence agencies into the alleged mistreatment of detainees and rendition. In spring 2016 he was appointed to the independent office holder post of Commissioner for Public Appointments where he served an extended term of five and a half years until September 2021. His other public roles have included conducting a review for the Cabinet Office into the future of the Committee on Standards in Public Life and serving on the Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Committee. He has had close contacts with the academic world in various forms, notably with the Constitution Unit over more than two decades. He chaired the advisory panel of the ESRC's Constitutional Change research programme from 2001 to 2006, is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a recipient of the President's Medal of the British Academy.

This episode was first recorded for our sister podcast - UCL Uncovering PoliticsThe last seven years in British politics have been tempestuous. The turmoil has had multiple causes: Covid, Putin's attack on Ukraine, and Trussonomics among them. But the politics of much of the period has been dominated by Brexit: by a referendum on an ever so simple question, followed by years of wrangling over what the question meant and how the answer that voters gave to it should be interpreted and implemented. Much of that contest took place in parliament. Meaningful voters, indicative votes, the Brady amendment, the Malthouse compromise, the Cooper–Letwin Bill and the legality or otherwise of prorogation – all became the stuff of prime-time television.So what should we make of that period? And what can we learn from it – about how parliament and our constitution work, and about how they should work?Well a new book recently published by Oxford University Press explores all these questions and many more. It's called The Parliamentary Battle over Brexit. And its authors join me now. They are Meg Russell (Director of the UCL Constitution Unit and Professor of British and Comparative Politics in the UCL Department of Political Science) and Lisa James (Research Fellow at the Constitution Unit).

As the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement passes its 25th anniversary, uncertainty remains over whether Northern Ireland's power-sharing institutions will be restored any time soon. Debate has intensified over possible reforms, notably to how the Northern Ireland Executive is formed and to voting procedures within the Assembly. There are also differing views over the optimal forms of North–South and East–West engagement. The UK government has a vital role in shaping Northern Ireland's future, but trust in it is exceptionally low across all Northern Ireland's communities. In this seminar, a panel of leading authorities will explore the question of what London's role and priorities should be.Speakers:• Simon Hoare, Conservative MP for North Dorset and Chair of the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee• Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan, Professor of Politics and Provost of Ulster University• Baroness (Angela) Smith of Basildon, Shadow Leader of the House of Lords, Labour Spokesperson on Devolved Issues in the Lords, and former minister in the Northern Ireland Office• Alan Whysall, Honorary Senior Research Associate at the Constitution Unit, former civil servant in the Northern Ireland Office, and author of Northern Ireland's Political FutureChair: Professor Alan Renwick, Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit, UCLFurther reading: The Agreement at 25: A Time for Constitutional Change in Northern Ireland? - Alan Whysall 

Since the 2016 referendum, the hotly contested issue of Brexit has raised fundamental questions about the workings of British democracy. Parliament soon became a public battleground for arguments about Brexit's implementation, and the process frequently brought its own role into question – alongside that of the courts, the devolved institutions, the civil service and even the monarch. A new book by the Constitution Unit's Meg Russell and Lisa James charts The Parliamentary Battle Over Brexit, from the initial backbench pressures for a referendum, to the arguments over the ‘meaningful vote', the repeated defeats of Theresa May's Brexit deal, backbenchers ‘seizing control' of the Commons agenda, and Boris Johnson's unlawful prorogation, up to the ultimate approval of his Brexit deal. In this event on its publication day, the authors and three high-profile respondents discussed the book's key arguments and conclusions, including why this period was so difficult, and what if anything might need to change in the UK's parliament and wider constitution.SpeakersProfessor Meg Russell FBA is the Director of the Constitution UnitLisa James is a Research Fellow at the Constitution UnitDavid Gauke was Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and then Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice in Theresa May's governmentJoanna Cherry is SNP MP for Edinburgh South West, and was the lead litigant in the Cherry case in the Supreme Court over the 2019 prorogationDr Robert Saunders is Reader in Modern British History at Queen Mary University of London, and author of Yes to Europe! The 1975 Referendum and Seventies BritainThis event was chaired by Professor Alan Renwick, Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit.For more details about Meg Russell and Lisa James's new book The Parliamentary Battle Over Brexit, and to preorder a copy with a 30% discount, see here.

Recent years have raised fundamental questions about how the UK's democratic system functions: about the roles and characters of different institutions, about dangers of democratic ‘backsliding', and about options for reform. Understanding public attitudes on such questions is vital, so the Constitution Unit's Democracy in the UK after Brexit project is examining them in depth. This seminar explores the project's latest findings, based on a major survey conducted in August/September 2022. It marks the publication in early March of the project's third report.Topics covered include the role of parliament, the future of the House of Lords, voting reform, the role of judges, and integrity in public life. During the seminar, key findings will be presented and discussed with leading experts.Speakers:Professor Alan Renwick, Deputy Director of the Constitution UnitProfessor Joe Tomlinson, Professor of Public Law, University of YorkDr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for GovernmentProfessor Paula Surridge, Professor of Political Sociology, University of Bristol, and Deputy Director of UK in a Changing EuropeChair: Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit.Useful links:Democracy in the UK after Brexit project web pages

The Labour Party's Commission on the UK's Future, chaired by Gordon Brown, has published recommendations for sweeping constitutional change, including major reforms to the devolution framework and the House of Lords. What does the Commission's report propose? What does it leave out? Could its proposals be practically implemented? If so, how might this be done? A panel of experts discusses these questions.SpeakersProfessor Aileen McHarg is Professor of Public Law and Human Rights at Durham University.Akash Paun is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.Professor Meg Russell is Director of the Constitution Unit.Chair: Professor Alan Renwick, Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit.Further reading:Report of the Commission on the UK's FutureThe Future of the Territorial Constitution under Labour? The Report of the Commission on the UK's Future by Aileen McHarg.Five things we've learned about the Brown Commission on the UK's future by the Institute for Government.

Proposals for reform of the UK's House of Lords are in the news. In the wake of a report by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Labour leader and – if the polls are to be believed – likely future Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that he would abolish the House of Lords and replace it with a so-called Assembly of the Nations and Regions. This week Alan Renwick is joined by Meg Russell, Director of the UCL Constitution Unit and Professor of British and Comparative Politics in the UCL Department of Political Science. Meg is the leading expert on the House of Lords and on second chambers more broadly, having conducted research on the subject for more than two decades.Meg gives us a primer on the House of Lords and helps answer the questions: does it need reform? What is the best way of doing it?Associated reading:The Contemporary House of Lords: Westminster Bicameralism Revived. Meg RussellThe problem(s) of House of Lords appointments. Meg Russell

From the prorogation of parliament to military action, the executive's prerogative powers have been at the heart of some of the most heated political controversies of recent years. This seminar marks the publication of a new book and report on this little-understood but crucial topic.Robert Hazell will explains the main prerogative powers, the successes and failures of recent attempts to regulate them, and the respective roles of parliament and the courts. Other speakers then look at specific instances of the prerogative:Arabella Lang (Head of Research, Public Law Project) discusses the effectiveness of parliamentary scrutiny of treatiesProf Philippe Lagassé, Carleton University, Ottawa evaluates parliamentary attempts to regulate the war making power, in Australia, Canada and New Zealand as well as the UKSir Peter Riddell, Honorary Professor at UCL, talks about regulation of public appointmentsThis seminar is chaired by Prof Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit.The book, Executive Power: The Prerogative, Past, Present and Future by Robert Hazell and Timothy Foot (Hart Publishing)The Constitution Unit Report, Reforming the Prerogative by Robert Hazell and Charlotte Sayers-Carter.

This episode was originally recorded for recorded for our sister UCL Political Science podcast - 'Uncovering Politics'.Questions about politicians' behaviour have been high on the political agenda here in the UK in recent months and years. Boris Johnson's premiership was dogged – and ultimately ended – by allegations that he was serially dishonest and tolerated bullying and other misconduct from his inner circle. Liz Truss sidelined independent sources of expertise and presided over catastrophic policy failure. And Rishi Sunak – though he entered Downing Street promising integrity, professionalism, and accountability – appointed a Home Secretary who only six days previously had left government for breaching the Ministerial Code, installed two other ministers against whom there are allegations of bullying, and (at the time of recording) yet to appoint an Ethics Adviser.So how can we ensure high standards of behaviour from our politicians? Can we rely simply on political accountability, and the disciplining role of the ballot box? Or do advisers, regulators, and perhaps even judges need also to play a role?This week our host Professor Alan Renwick is joined by two real experts:Professor Robert Hazell, who founded the UCL Constitution Unit in 1995 and remained its Director until 2015. Sir Peter Riddell, Honorary Professor in the UCL Department of Political Science, ex- Political Editor of the Financial Times and Chief Political Commentator at the Times, Director and Chief Executive of the Institute for Government between 2012 and 2016, and Commissioner for Public Appointments from 2016 until 2021.Related reading:Parliament's watchdogs, Robert Hazell, Marcial Boo and Zachariah Pullar, UCL Constitution Unit report.Constitutional standards matter: the new Prime Minister must not forget that voters care about the honesty and integrity of their leaders, Peter Riddell, UCL Constitution Unit Blog.

Rishi Sunak's agenda for government will inevitably be focused on the UK's economic woes. However, Sunak also faces important questions about constitutional change. How might he approach his predecessors' legislative proposals relating to the Northern Ireland Protocol, retained EU law, and human rights? How will he deliver on his pledge to prioritise integrity, professionalism, and accountability? Will his approach to the civil service differ from that of Boris Johnson or Liz Truss? This expert panel provides a constitutional stock-take at the start of the Sunak premiership.Speakers:Jill Rutter is a Senior Research Fellow at UK in a Changing Europe and a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.Dr Ruth Fox is the Director of the Hansard Society.Professor Colm O'Cinneide is Professor of Constitutional and Human Rights Law at University College London.Chair: Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution UnitUseful reading:How Sunak can restore integrity, professionalism and accountability - Meg Russell, Alan Renwick, Sophie Andrews-McCarroll and Lisa James Ministers should protect the UK's system of constitutional guardians  - Jack Pannell

Politics in the UK is in a state of turmoil. Every time we think it can't get any crazier, it finds a way of doing just that. Many of the roots of the trouble can be found in Brexit. Whatever you think of Brexit, it's clear that the referendum of June 2016 forced parliament to implement a massive switch in the direction of the country that most MPs thought was wrong, and split the main parties – particularly the Conservative Party – down the middle. The politics of ideology trumped the politics of competence. This episode comes from our sister UCL podcast - Uncovering Politics and looks at a new piece of research by two researchers here at the Constitution Unit UCL, which sheds light on an important aspect of the story.  It assesses just how much influence parliament had in shaping the various laws that had to be passed to make Brexit a reality and put alternative arrangements in place. The authors of the study are: Dr Tom Fleming, Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics here in the UCL Department of Political Science and a member of the UCL Constitution Unit, and Lisa James, Research Fellow at the Constitution Unit and co-author of the forthcoming OUP book, The Parliamentary Battle over Brexit. Mentioned in this episode:Fleming, T. and James, L., 'Parliamentary Influence on Brexit Legislation, 2017–2019', Parliamentary AffairsRussel, M. and James, L., 'The Parliamentary Battle over Brexit'. Oxford University Press

The next big event for King Charles after accession will be his coronation, planned jointly by the monarch, church and state. Parliament will need to update the Regency Acts to provide for additional Counsellors of State. Meanwhile several Commonwealth countries have declared their intent to leave the monarchy and become republics. Three experts come together to discuss what these developments tell us about the new reign:• Catherine Pepinster, author of Defenders of the Faith: the British Monarchy, Religion, and the next Coronation• Dr Craig Prescott (Bangor), author of a forthcoming book on the Regency Acts• Dr Sue Onslow, Director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London.Chair: Professor Robert Hazell, Constitution UnitFurther reading:The Coronation of Charles III Constitution Unit report by Dr Bob MorrisSwearing in the New King: Accession and Coronation Oaths Constitution Unit report by Professor Robert Hazell and Dr Bob Morris

After Boris Johnson announced his resignation as prime minister, he was widely described as leading a ‘caretaker government'. But this episode has highlighted that the conventions surrounding such governments are far from clear in the UK. What are the UK's caretaker conventions? When do they apply? Should the existing conventions be clarified, codified, or reformed? If so, what lessons might be learned from experience in other countries? A distinguished panel will discuss these timely questions.Speakers:Lord (Gus) O'Donnell is a crossbench peer who served as Cabinet Secretary from 2005 to 2011, and oversaw the drafting of the UK's Cabinet Manual.Lord (Gavin) Barwell is a Conservative peer who worked as Theresa May's Downing Street Chief of Staff from 2017 to 2019, including a similar ‘caretaker' period following her own resignation as prime minister.Professor Anne Tiernan is an Adjunct Professor at the Griffith Business School, and the co-author of Caretaker Conventions in Australasia: Minding the Shop for Government.Chair: Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution UnitUseful reading:Caretaker Conventions in Australasia: Minding the Shop for Government by Jennifer Menzies and Anne TiernanChief of Staff by Gavin BarwellMust a caretaker government be a zombie government? by Robert HazellCabinet Manual, paras 2.27 to 2.34

The UK government has promised to introduce a new ‘Brexit Freedoms' Bill in the current parliamentary session. The government's aim is to make retained EU law – former EU legislation placed on the British statute book during the Brexit process – easier to amend. However, this may mean increasing ministers' ability to make important policy changes via delegated legislation, with relatively little parliamentary scrutiny. What can we expect the ‘Brexit Freedoms' Bill to look like? What could it mean for the relative power of parliament and ministers? What might this mean for laws and regulations that affect the everyday lives of UK citizens? This seminar will bring together an expert panel to discuss these important questions.Speakers:Professor Catherine Barnard, Professor of European Union Law and Employment Law, University of CambridgeDr Tom West, Delegated Legislation Review Manager, Hansard SocietyRuth Chambers, Senior Parliamentary Affairs Associate, Greener UKChair: Dr Joe Tomlinson, Senior Lecturer in Public Law, University of York

Rory Stewart was Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border between 2010 and 2019. He served in government under David Cameron and Theresa May, including as a Home Office minister and Secretary of State for International Development. As a former diplomat, he served on the House of Commons Foreign Affairs and Defence Committees, the latter of which he chaired from 2014 to 2015. In 2019, he contested the Conservative Party leadership against Boris Johnson, before being stripped of the party whip over Johnson's approach to Brexit, and then stepping down from parliament. Among other things he is currently the co-host, with Alastair Campbell, of the popular podcast 'The Rest is Politics'.

Johnson's premiership has been marked by various controversies about parliament. On COVID-19, the government was accused of overusing delegated powers – adding to already long-standing concerns in this area. Subsequently, some primary legislation has been rushed, and the relationship between whips and backbenchers often difficult. Most recently, the proposed fast-track procedures for amending Retained EU Law and on human rights risk further sidelining parliamentarians. How concerned should we be about these developments, and how best can parliament respond? SpeakersBaroness (Angela) Smith of Basildon – Labour peer, and Shadow Leader of the House of Lords William Wragg MP – Conservative MP for Hazel Grove, and Chair of the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs CommitteeDr Ruth Fox – Director of the Hansard SocietyDr Hannah White – Deputy Director of the Institute for GovernmentChair: Professor Meg Russell FBA – Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL