The Constitution Unit

Please note that, in places, the microphones momentarily failed to record the proceedings at this event. We apologise. In the UK, calls for the withdrawal from the European Convention of Human Rights are becoming louder and more persistent. The government has promised to look into the case for reform of the Convention, but at present there are no details about what this would look like. Yet, the discussions about the future of the ECHR are not limited to the UK. Across the Council of Europe many states are considering the case for renegotiation of current obligations under the Convention, particularly in the context of migration. In Denmark, the government is reviewing the practice of its courts and drafting a proposal for a new agreement that would amend the current text of the Convention and allow the government to limit its obligations in relation to particular groups of migrants. How are these developments at European level relevant for the discussion in the UK? A panel of expert speakers familiar with the developments in Denmark, UK, and the Council of Europe speak about the pressures that human rights and especially the European Convention find themselves under and what the options are for states seeking a reform of the system. Speakers:Former Judge Robert Spano, Former President of European Court of Human Rights, Partner at Gibson DunnProfessor Jens Elo Peters Rytter, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of CopenhagenProfessor Colm O’Cinneide, Professor of Constitutional and Human Rights Law, UCLProfessor Alice Donald, Professor in Human Rights Law, Middlesex University LondonChair: Professor Veronika Fikfak, Professor of Human Rights and International Law, UCL Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: constitution-unit.com

The UK government published an elections policy paper in the summer, including proposals for votes at 16, automated electoral registration, and strengthened political finance rules. With an Elections Bill expected in November, this panel will assess the government’s proposals and consider whether they will be sufficient to ensure electoral integrity. For example, are tighter rules needed on political donations? Should more be done to protect the independence of the Electoral Commission? Should requirements for truthfulness in political speech be strengthened?Speakers:Cat Smith MP – Labour MP for Lancaster and WyreRose Whiffen – Senior Research Officer, Transparency International UKTom Hawthorn – Head of Policy, Electoral CommissionProfessor David Howarth – Professor of Law and Public Policy, University of Cambridge, former UK Electoral Commissioner (2010–18), and former Liberal Democrat MP for Cambridge (2005–10)Chair: 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

Many of the highest-profile political issues – including trade, security, and immigration – are now shaped by international treaties and agreements. These agreements are negotiated by ministers and officials, and recent years have seen complaints that the UK’s parliaments lack the scrutiny tools they need. So why does parliamentary scrutiny of international agreements matter? Does the current system allow for adequate scrutiny? And if not, what needs to change?Speakers:Lord (Peter) Goldsmith KC – Chair of the House of Lords International Agreements CommitteeArabella Lang – Head of Public Law at the Law SocietyClare Adamson MSP – SNP MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, and Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee.Chair: Lisa James – Senior Research Fellow, Constitution UnitFurther reading:'Treaty scrutiny in Westminster: addressing the accountability gap' (House of Lords International Agreements Committee, 11 September 2025). Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: constitution-unit.com

The UK government has promised a ‘devolution revolution’ in England, with major changes to the structure of regional and local government, and has published a detailed white paper setting out its plans. How might these changes affect the delivery of public services and quality of local democracy? How will they change the place of local government in the wider constitutional structure? What else might be needed to ensure that ministers achieve their goals? We discussed these questions with an expert panel including two current and former council leaders.Speakers:Bella Sankey – Labour Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council and Deputy Leader of the Local Government Association Labour GroupRoger Gough – former Conservative Leader of Kent County Council (2019–25)Professor Arianna Giovannini – Professor of Political Sociology at the University of Urbino, Italy and former Director of IPPR North.Chair: 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 summer marks a year since Labour’s landslide victory at the 2024 general election. The party’s manifesto contained a number of pledges for reforming the UK’s constitution and political institutions. So how have those pledges fared since Labour took office? Which promises have been delivered? What unexpected changes have been introduced? And what further reforms will – or should – be on the government’s agenda?This online conference took stock of constitutional developments in the last year, and looked ahead, with a range of senior speakers including parliamentarians, academics, and commentators.This closing session brought together a cross-party senior panel to offer reflections on the Labour government’s constitutional agenda, and possible alternative priorities.Speakers:Alex Burghart MP – Conservative MP for Brentwood and Ongar, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shadow Secretary of State for Northern IrelandSarah Olney MP – Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Cabinet OfficeBaroness (Dianne) Hayter of Kentish Town – Labour peer, and former Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of LordsChair: Professor Meg Russell FBA – 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 summer marks a year since Labour’s landslide victory at the 2024 general election. The party’s manifesto contained a number of pledges for reforming the UK’s constitution and political institutions. So how have those pledges fared since Labour took office? Which promises have been delivered? What unexpected changes have been introduced? And what further reforms will – or should – be on the government’s agenda?This online conference took stock of constitutional developments in the last year, and looked ahead, with a range of senior speakers including parliamentarians, academics, and commentators.The newly established Modernisation Committee has set out broad objectives of reforming standards, working practices, and procedure in the House of Commons. The Commons Procedure Committee has also announced a large number of inquiries. What are the priority areas for Commons reform? What should any reforms aim to achieve, and how can they balance competing priorities, for example of strengthening scrutiny and easing MPs’ working lives? How can reforms successfully attract broad support and allow the Commons to work more effectively? Speakers:Cat Smith MP – Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre, and chair of the House of Commons Procedure CommitteeWendy Chamberlain MP – Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip, and member of the House of Commons Modernisation CommitteeDr Hannah White – Director of the Institute for GovernmentChair: Dr Tom Fleming – Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics, UCL Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: constitution-unit.com

This summer marks a year since Labour’s landslide victory at the 2024 general election. The party’s manifesto contained a number of pledges for reforming the UK’s constitution and political institutions. So how have those pledges fared since Labour took office? Which promises have been delivered? What unexpected changes have been introduced? And what further reforms will – or should – be on the government’s agenda?The rule of law The Lord Chancellor and the Attorney General have both placed great emphasis on this new government upholding the rule of law. What does this mean in practice? Has the government delivered on this aspiration, and what more is needed to do so? What challenges has it faced? Speakers:Andy Slaughter MP – Labour MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick, and chair of the House of Commons Justice CommitteeBaroness (Victoria) Prentis of Banbury KC – Conservative peer, former Attorney General and former Conservative MPDr Joelle Grogan – legal academic and presenter of The Law Show on BBC Radio 4Chair: Professor Veronika Fikfak – Professor of Human Rights and International Law, UCL   Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: constitution-unit.com

This summer marks a year since Labour’s landslide victory at the 2024 general election. The party’s manifesto contained a number of pledges for reforming the UK’s constitution and political institutions. So how have those pledges fared since Labour took office? Which promises have been delivered? What unexpected changes have been introduced? And what further reforms will – or should – be on the government’s agenda?The electoral system in a multiparty eraThe growth of multiparty politics raises questions about whether the First Past the Post electoral system can still be justified. What are the arguments for and against reform? What alternative systems might be considered? And, with ministers saying they will maintain the status quo, is there any way reform could actually come about?Speakers:Peter Lamb MP – Labour MP for CrawleyFrances Foley – Deputy Director of CompassProfessor Robert Ford – Professor of Political Science at the University of ManchesterChair: 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 summer marks a year since Labour’s landslide victory at the 2024 general election. The party’s manifesto contained a number of pledges for reforming the UK’s constitution and political institutions. So how have those pledges fared since Labour took office? Which promises have been delivered? What unexpected changes have been introduced? And what further reforms will – or should – be on the government’s agenda?Standards in public lifeThe Labour Party put standards and ethics at the heart of its attacks on the previous Conservative government, promising to bring in a ‘politics of service’. Has the party's conduct in office lived up to this rhetoric? How has it changed the regulation of standards in government and parliament? What further changes are needed in this area, and what is the best means to ensure that these are delivered?Speakers:Sir Jeremy Wright KC MP – Conservative MP for Kenilworth and Southam, former Attorney General and former member of the Committee on Standards in Public LifePhil Brickell MP – Labour MP for Bolton WestProfessor Gillian Peele – member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life and Emeritus Associate Professor of Politics at the University of OxfordChair: Lisa James – Senior Research Fellow, 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 summer marks a year since Labour’s landslide victory at the 2024 general election. The party’s manifesto contained a number of pledges for reforming the UK’s constitution and political institutions. So how have those pledges fared since Labour took office? Which promises have been delivered? What unexpected changes have been introduced? And what further reforms will – or should – be on the government’s agenda?This online conference took stock of constitutional developments in the last year, and looked ahead, with a range of senior speakers including parliamentarians, academics, and commentators.Opening keynote from Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office In this opening keynote address, Nick Thomas-Symonds summarised the government’s approach to the constitution, and priorities for constitutional reform. What has been achieved so far, and what are the most important priorities for the future? Which key principles underpin the government’s plans? Speaker:Nick Thomas-Symonds MP is Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with responsibility for the constitution and EU relations. He has been the Labour MP for Torfaen since 2015 and his previous posts include Shadow Home Secretary and Shadow Solicitor General. He is a former barrister and academic. Chair: Professor Meg Russell FBA – 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

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 Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: 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 Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: 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 Links:Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unitMailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-listBlog: constitution-unit.com