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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 33m

Who gets access to government and has the most influence? Next Thursday, hear Stuart Sterling, Baroness (Dianne) Hayter, @duncanhames.bsky.social, @suehawley.bsky.social and @jrgerlis.bsky.social, with David Coen, discuss lobbying. Sign up for this in-person event 👉️ www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

A picture of the Elizabeth Tower with the text 'Policy & Practice Seminar'.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Is democracy declining? What do citizens think? Has anywhere stemmed or reversed backsliding? Next Tuesday, hear from @clandwehr.bsky.social, Seema Shah @internationalidea.bsky.social and Jan Teorell @vdeminstitute.bsky.social at our free, online event. Sign up 👉️ ucl.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

The health of democracy in 2026. Tuesday 13 October 2026. 1:00pm–2:00pm. Prof Claudia Landwehr. Dr Seema Shah. Prof Jan Teorell. Chair: Prof Alan Renwick. UCL Constitution Unit.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Many claims are made about the effects of different voting systems, but to what extent are these backed up by evidence? And how might this evidence apply to Westminster elections? We launched a timely new project led by @alanrenwick.bsky.social today. Find out more 👉️ www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Professor Alan Renwick. Director of the UCL Constitution Unit. 'Where this review of the evidence will take us we don’t yet know. The project begins with no presuppositions about which system might be best: our goal is not to promote any given option, but to ensure that discussion of this vital part of our democratic system can be as informed and reflective as possible. We will therefore lay out the evidence as we find it, and leave others to draw the inferences that they think most justified.' UCL Constitution Unit.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

How should we assess different options for the voting system? On 20 October, hear @robertbuckland.bsky.social and Jess Garland debate electoral reform at our free, online event. Sign up 👉️ ucl.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

How should we assess different options for the voting system? Tuesday 20 October 2026. 1:00pm–2:00pm. Sir Robert Buckland. Jess Garland. Chair: Prof Alan Renwick. UCL Constitution Unit.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Is democracy declining? What do citizens think? Has anywhere stemmed or reversed backsliding? On 13 October, hear from @clandwehr.bsky.social, Seema Shah @internationalidea.bsky.social and Jan Teorell @vdeminstitute.bsky.social at our free, online event. Sign up 👉️ ucl.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Will Andy Burnham's devolution plans deliver economic growth? On 19 November, hear @akashpaun.bsky.social, Judith Barker and David Phillips @theifs.bsky.social, with @alanrenwick.bsky.social, discuss devolution. Sign up for this in-person event 👉️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/policy-pra....

A sign in Manchester and the text 'Policy & Practice Seminar'.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Are you subscribed to the Constitution Unit's mailing list? Get our latest publications, events and blog posts sent directly to your inbox, plus our monthly round-up email (the first edition of which is coming tomorrow!) Sign up 👉️ mailchi.mp/ucl/constitu....

Alan Renwick in conversation at an event.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Who gets access to government and has the most influence? On 15 October, hear Stuart Sterling, Baroness (Dianne) Hayter, @duncanhames.bsky.social, @suehawley.bsky.social and @jrgerlis.bsky.social, with David Coen, discuss lobbying. Sign up for this in-person event 👉️ www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The government was defeated 188 to 125 votes on amendment 98 to the Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] at report stage on 9 September 2026. 👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

Government Defeats in the House of Lords

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The government was defeated 196 to 138 votes on amendment 93 to the Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] at report stage on 9 September 2026. 👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The government was defeated 194 to 138 votes on amendment 88 to the Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] at report stage on 9 September 2026. 👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The government was defeated 226 to 162 votes on amendment 64 to the Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] at report stage on 9 September 2026. 👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The government was defeated 248 to 163 votes on amendment 60 to the Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] at report stage on 9 September 2026. 👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The government was defeated 246 to 165 votes on amendment 10 to the Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] at report stage on 7 September 2026. 👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The government was defeated 41 to 29 votes on a motion to regret the Nature Restoration Levy Regulations 2026, on 3 September 2026. This does not prevent the regulations from coming into force. 👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

🧵 The government was defeated in the House of Lords once on 3 September 2026; once last Monday, 7 September 2026 and 5 times last Wednesday, 9 September 2026.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

We are looking forward to seeing @uclspp.bsky.social PhD candidate, and member of the Constitution Unit, @maxemmett.bsky.social on University Challenge this evening!

Max Emmett, Alan Hughes, Eva West and Corile Magee with Amol Rajan on University Challenge.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Our Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, has responded to the news over the weekend that Reform UK has received £72 million from two donors. He suggests a wider review of political finance rules.

A picture of Professor Alan Renwick, Director of the UCL Constitution Unit, and the quote: 'It has long been clear that donations to political parties ought to be capped. Democracy is based on the idea that we are all equal. Allowing the richest people in our society to give unlimited sums violates that principle. Political parties do need to be able to communicate their message to voters, and that costs money. So a cap might be set relatively high – perhaps at £1 million – at least initially, while a wider review of political finance rules is conducted.'

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

It is strange to see yourselves in the history books, but perhaps to be expected after 30 years! This is from a review of the new Donald Dewar biography. Our third report recommended a 'reserved', not 'conferred', powers model for the new Scottish Parliament, which is how it still works today!

The critical decision — for Westminster to reserve certain powers such as defence, national security and the UK constitution, but to delegate the rest to Holyrood — was taken by Dewar, with advice from Butler and the independent Constitution Unit, which proposed adopting the principles of the 1920 Government of Ireland Act.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Have you checked out our explainers recently? From the UK constitution, to democratic backsliding, to House of Lords reform, to referendums, read all about key constitutional topics in 500 words. Browse our explainers 👉️ www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Explainer. What is the UK constitution? The Constitution Unit. The UK constitution is uncodified; much of it is written, but in many documents drafted over time. The UK constitution can be found in leading statutes, conventions, judicial decisions and treaties. Parliamentary sovereignty – ultimate law-making power vested in the UK parliament to create or abolish any law – is often seen as the defining principle of the UK constitution.

Explainer. What is democratic backsliding? The Constitution Unit. Democratic backsliding is the process by which a country becomes less democratic over time. Recent examples of backsliding have often resulted from a gradual process, led by elected leaders. Preventing backsliding can involve designing institutions with guardrails in place, and transparency requirements and consistent high standards of behaviour by politicians.

Explainer. What are the options for House of Lords reform? The Constitution Unit. Today’s House of Lords is mainly the result of reforms passed since the early twentieth century. Options for change concern both the House of Lords’ membership and its powers, and can be incremental or radical. Attachment to the status quo and the difficulty of securing agreement on a single new model mean that achieving Lords reform has historically been difficult.

Explainer. What is the role of referendums in UK politics? The Constitution Unit. Referendums have repeatedly been used in the UK to resolve important constitutional questions. There is no general requirement for their use (as in some other countries). Referendums can allow fundamental constitutional questions to be decided by voters, and give legitimacy to major decisions. But they can also carry the risk of increased polarisation, or fail to inform voters adequately about the options.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Our new report acknowledges that resources and time are limited. It focuses on 'must do' changes to safeguard the constitution – many of which can be quickly and easily implemented. Watch @lisajames.bsky.social explain how. Read the report 👉️ www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

What do we know about how Andy Burnham's 'rewired Britain' might look? And did you know that the government is already proposing fiscal devolution and new powers on overnight visitor levies? Read more in Monitor 93 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

England

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act received royal assent on 29 April. The Act contains significant regulation-making powers on matters as diverse as Local Growth Plans, community right to buy, local scrutiny committees, and neighbourhood area committees. Further policy decisions will appear in these areas in the coming months.

Provisions to allow the government to impose new strategic authorities on areas that were unable to agree to work together were dropped from the bill during ping pong. This means that the government has no legal tools to ensure that their commitment to ‘complete the map’ is delivered. In June it was reported that plans for devolution in Thames Valley (Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Swindon) had fallen prey to party political disagreements.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has proposed a roadmap towards fiscal devolution to England’s mayoralties. It is understood that officials are examining the practicalities of devolving a share of income tax revenue to mayoral areas, and possibly also a share of business rates revenue. An interim report is expected later this summer, with the full...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Our latest report says that the constitution should be strengthened by: ➰ Addressing loopholes and vulnerabilities ⏰ Enabling institutions to meet modern challenges 🙋 Supporting people to participate. Watch @lisajames.bsky.social explain why. Read the report 👉️ www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Our newest report draws on our long-term thinking about the health of UK democracy – as well as detailed work in various policy areas. Watch @lisajames.bsky.social explain what constitutional resilience, the focus of the report, is. Read the report 👉️ www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

It is great to see our new report covered in @politico.eu's London Playbook newsletter this morning! Find out more 👇

CLASSLESS CHAPS: The UCL Constitution Unit has warned that relying on the “good chaps” approach to governing and hoping politicians do not exploit or undermine parliamentary rules no longer works after Brexit, Covid and assorted Westminster stress tests exposed how much power still sits with the executive. The academics have a 28-point checklist to protect integrity in the system including: curbing prime ministerial patronage in the Lords, giving MPs more control of their own agenda, toughening scrutiny of laws and treaties and making Commons approval necessary for prorogation and dissolution. It remains unclear which politicians they had in mind when they wrote these up.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Our brand new report makes 28 recommendations across seven policy areas for how to safeguard the UK constitution and protect the integrity of our democracy. Read a summary 👉 blogs.ucl.ac.uk/constitution.... Review the recommendations 👇

Safeguarding the Constitution: Key Steps to Strengthen UK Democratic Resilience's recommendations 1 to 11.

Safeguarding the Constitution: Key Steps to Strengthen UK Democratic Resilience's recommendations 12 to 28.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Have you read the Ethics and Integrity Commission's report on lobbying, business rules and disclosure, extensively citing us? Did you know that the bill that came first in the House of Lords private members' bill ballot is about lobbying? Read more in Monitor 93 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Lobbying

Baroness (Dianne) Hayter of Kentish Town came first in the private members’ bills ballot in the House of Lords, with her Lobbying Transparency (In-house Lobbyists) Bill. The system for regulating lobbying introduced by the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 applies only to consultant lobbyists, and with only 240 lobbyists on the Register, is estimated to catch only 4% of lobbying activity. Hayter’s bill would extend the regulatory regime to in-house lobbyists, such as David Cameron when he was working for Greensill.

The bill would not extend reporting requirements, which currently apply only to ministers and permanent secretaries, to contacts with other senior civil servants and special advisers. Nor does the bill expand the requirement to report who has been lobbied, or on what subject. And it does not end the exemption for ‘incidental lobbying’, or for people below the VAT threshold.

Second reading of the bill took place on 3 July. It received wide support across the chamber. But the relevant minister, Baroness (Ruth) Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent, said the government...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

🧵 The government was defeated in the House of Lords once Monday, 20 July 2026. The government was defeated 232 to 146 votes on amendment 25 to the Social Housing Bill [HL] at report stage. 👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Did you know that Supplementary Vote has been reintroduced for some mayoral elections in the UK? This means that the Greater Manchester mayoral election on 30 July will be the first not to take place under First Past the Post since 2022. Read more in Monitor 93 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Mayoral voting system and election in Greater Manchester

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, which received royal assent in April (see below), includes provision to replace the voting system for directly elected mayors in England, and for police and crime commissioners. Until 2022, the Supplementary Vote system was used for these elections: voters could express first and second preferences; if no candidate secured more than 50% of first preferences, all but the first two candidates were eliminated, and the second preferences of the eliminated candidates’ supporters were added to the tallies of the remaining candidates to determine the winner. That system was replaced by First Past the Post through the Elections Act 2022. The new legislation reverses that change.

The provision required secondary legislation to bring it into force. After the Makerfield by-election was called, ministers noted there was ‘now a possible scenario in which a Mayoral election may need to be held in Greater Manchester in the coming months’. They therefore brought the order forward, and it came into force on 18 June. In consequence, the Greater Manchester Mayor election, scheduled for 30 July, will take place using the Supplementary Vote...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Do you remember the government u-turning on abolishing the strategy and policy statement for the Electoral Commission? Did you know that over 170 MPs have signed an amendment in favour of a National Commission on Electoral Reform? Read more in Monitor 93 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Representation of the People Bill

Parliamentary consideration of the Representation of the People Bill has continued. The bill was published in February and received its second reading in the House of Commons in March (see Monitor 92). If passed, the bill would lower the voting age from 18 to 16 for all elections in the UK where that change has not already been made, and make a series of other changes to the conduct of elections and the rules of election campaigning.

The bill was examined in committee in March and April, and the proceedings were summarised in a House of Commons Library paper. Only one substantive amendment was agreed, removing provision for ministers to issue a ‘strategy and policy statement’ for the Electoral Commission. This provision was created under the previous government by the Elections Act 2022 and has always been strongly contested. Introducing the amendment, the minister, Samantha Dixon, said:

For the health of our democracy, it is essential that the Electoral Commission is fearlessly independent, commands trust across the political spectrum and the public, and is seen to...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Has Keir Starmer left a mark on the UK constitution? The latest edition of our constitutional review says that there have been welcome developments since 2024, but also problems, and reforms and resets not completed. Read more in Monitor 93 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Starmer’s constitutional record

Starmer has overseen some welcome developments for the constitution and for democracy, which add up to a substantial legacy. But there have also been problems.

On the positive side, his government ended the right of hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords (see below). It established the Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC) and freed the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards to launch investigations without prior approval. It accelerated devolution to combined authorities in England, and restored the Supplementary Vote system for electing English mayors (see below). Its Representation of the People Bill (including amendments announced in the administration’s final weeks) will, if passed, lower the voting age to 16 for all elections where it has so far remained at 18, restore Electoral Commission independence, and introduce new controls on some political donations (see below). Ministers have also staunchly defended the rule of law, at least in their rhetoric. The place of citizenship education in schools in England will be enhanced. Policy papers have signalled an intention to strengthen the role of the BBC and of public service media outlets more generally in ensuring healthy democratic discourse (see below). Relations with the EU...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

What do we know about how Andy Burnham’s 'rewired Britain' might look? And did you know that the government is already proposing fiscal devolution and new powers on overnight visitor levies? Read more in Monitor 93 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

The latest edition of our triannual constitutional review is now available! Monitor 93 examines Keir Starmer's constitutional legacy, Andy Burnham's possible plans, legislation on elections and English devolution, and much more. Read it 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo.... Or browse our thread 👇

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

🧵 The government was defeated in the House of Lords once yesterday, 15 July 2026. The government was defeated 212 to 171 votes on amendment 10 to the Sporting Events Bill [HL] at report stage. 👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

🧵 The government was defeated in the House of Lords once yesterday, 13 July 2026. The government was defeated 142 to 138 votes on amendment 33 to the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill [HL] at report stage. 👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

With Andy Burnham very likely heading to Downing Street, what next for constitutional reform? In 15 minutes, join Frances Foley, @cathhaddon.bsky.social and @lisajames.bsky.social to discuss what could, and should, be on the agenda at our free, online event. Sign up 👉️ ucl.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

The Constitution Unit. What next for constitutional reform in the UK? 9 July 2026, 1:00pm–2:00pm. Frances Foley (Former Deputy Director of Compass). Dr Catherine Haddon (Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government). Lisa James (Senior Research Fellow at the Constitution Unit). Chair: Dr Tom Fleming (Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit).

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

With Andy Burnham very likely heading to Downing Street, what next for constitutional reform? In one hour, join Frances Foley, @cathhaddon.bsky.social and @lisajames.bsky.social to discuss what could, and should, be on the agenda at our free, online event. Sign up 👉️ ucl.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Andy Burnham often speaks about constitutional matters (a 'different culture' for whipping, 'modernising Parliament' and plans to 'take power out of Whitehall and Westminster'). So what might be next for reform? Sign up for our free, online event at 1pm 👉 ucl.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

The Ethics and Integrity Commission has today published its report into lobbying, business appointment rules and disclosure. The report heavily cites Robert Hazell, @peterr48.bsky.social, @lisajames.bsky.social and our colleague David Coen. Read it 👉 eic.independent-commission.uk/publication-....

"The principles, I think, are that the system needs to be efficient and effective; so, by efficient, it needs to be much speedier and less bureaucratic than it was when it was run by ACOBA. It needs to be effective in that the Rules need to be complied with, and in cases of non-compliance, there need to be effective sanctions."

Oral evidence, Robert Hazell, Professor of Government and the Constitution, UCL Constitution Unit, 21 April 2026

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

With Andy Burnham very likely heading to Downing Street, what next for constitutional reform? At 1pm today, join Frances Foley, @cathhaddon.bsky.social and @lisajames.bsky.social to discuss what could, and should, be on the agenda at our free, online event. Sign up 👉️ ucl.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

With Andy Burnham very likely on his way to Downing Street, what next for constitutional reform? Tomorrow, join Frances Foley, @cathhaddon.bsky.social and @lisajames.bsky.social to discuss what could, and should, be on the agenda at our free, online event. Sign up 👉️ ucl.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

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