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? Alan Renwick introduces a new Constitution Unit project seeking to answer these questions in a way that is accessible for politicians, campaigners, journalists, and the public at large.

The chair of the Ethics and Integrity Commission, Doug Chalmers, will soon write his first annual letter to the Prime Minister about the standards landscape. Sir Peter Riddell suggests 10 things that this letter should include.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced a national commission on electoral reform. In this article originally published in the Conversation UK, Alan Renwick explains that such a body should secure public involvement, not aim for a particular result and listen to the experts. He also emphasises that any change to the electoral system should be carried out with the greatest possible care.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced a national commission on electoral reform. In this article originally published in the Conversation UK, Alan Renwick explains that such a body should secure public involvement, not aim for a particular result and listen to the experts. He also emphasises that any change to the electoral system should be carried out with the greatest possible care.

The chair of the Ethics and Integrity Commission, Doug Chalmers, will soon write his first annual letter to the Prime Minister about the standards landscape. Sir Peter Riddell suggests 10 things that this letter should include.

Who gets access to government, and whose voices have the most influence?

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced a national commission on electoral reform. In this article originally published in the Conversation UK, Alan Renwick explains that such a body should secure public involvement, not aim for a particular result and listen to the experts. He also emphasises that any change to the electoral system should be carried out with the greatest possible care.

The Director of the UCL Constitution Unit, Professor Alan Renwick, spoke to Andrew Neil on Times Radio on 30 September following the announcement of a national commission on electoral reform.

Involving both the public and all parties in shaping reforms on how they vote will be crucial.

Conor J. Kelly and Colin Murray discuss what would happen next if one of the major parties pulled out of the Stormont...

In 2021 the UK House of Commons rescinded its short-lived ‘English Votes for English Laws’ (EVEL) procedures, which had delivered differentiated voting rights to MPs to compensate for asymmetric te...

Generative AI is now part of election campaigns. Nicky Gillibrand and Marcus Ganley explain their recent research findings on how the EU’s regulatory frameworks dealt with the risks created by generative AI in the 2024 European Parliament elections, how this contrasts with New Zealand’s regulatory approach, and what it means for the UK.

Albertans will head to the polls this autumn to vote on whether to hold a referendum on seceding from Canada. Leah Trueblood explains how this ‘vote about a vote’ came about, why the ‘two vote’ structure is different from that put forward by the Independent Commission on Referendums, and suggests that the approach of the Government of Alberta is actually opposed to both the spirit and substance of the Commission’s recommendations.

Generative AI is now part of election campaigns. Nicky Gillibrand and Marcus Ganley explain their recent research findings on how the EU’s regulatory frameworks dealt with the risks created by generative AI in the 2024 European Parliament elections, how this contrasts with New Zealand’s regulatory approach, and what it means for the UK.

Generative AI is now part of election campaigns. Nicky Gillibrand and Marcus Ganley explain their recent research findings on how the EU’s regulatory frameworks dealt with the risks created by generative AI in the 2024 European Parliament elections, how this contrasts with New Zealand’s regulatory approach, and what it means for the UK.

Albertans will head to the polls this autumn to vote on whether to hold a referendum on seceding from Canada. Leah Trueblood explains how this ‘vote about a vote’ came about, why the ‘two vote’ structure is different from that put forward by the Independent Commission on Referendums, and suggests that the approach of the Government of Alberta is actually opposed to both the spirit and substance of the Commission’s recommendations.

The Belfast Agreement sets out rules for calling a unity referendum, but is vague on some details

Albertans will head to the polls this autumn to vote on whether to hold a referendum on seceding from Canada. Leah Trueblood explains how this ‘vote about a vote’ came about, why the ‘two vote’ structure is different from that put forward by the Independent Commission on Referendums, and suggests that the approach of the Government of Alberta is actually opposed to both the spirit and substance of the Commission’s recommendations.

Recent months have brought transition both in government and here at the Constitution Unit. The Prime Minister changed in July, and the Unit has had a new Director since May. Having spent the summer taking stock of the constitutional landscape, our Director, Alan Renwick explores what we know so far about the government’s agenda, what we can expect in the months ahead, and what readers of this blog can look out for from the Constitution Unit.

Recent months have brought transition both in government and here at the Constitution Unit. The Prime Minister changed in July, and the Unit has had a new Director since May. Having spent the summer taking stock of the constitutional landscape, our Director, Alan Renwick explores what we know so far about the government’s agenda, what we can expect in the months ahead, and what readers of this blog can look out for from the Constitution Unit.

Recent months have brought transition both in government and here at the Constitution Unit. The Prime Minister changed in July, and the Unit has had a new Director since May. Having spent the summer taking stock of the constitutional landscape, our Director, Alan Renwick explores what we know so far about the government’s agenda, what we can expect in the months ahead, and what readers of this blog can look out for from the Constitution Unit.

Recent months have brought transition both in government and here at the Constitution Unit. The Prime Minister changed in July, and the Unit has had a new Director since May. Having spent the summer taking stock of the constitutional landscape, our Director, Alan Renwick explores what we know so far about the government’s agenda, what we can expect in the months ahead, and what readers of this blog can look out for from the Constitution Unit.

Long-running research on the House of Lords led by Professor Meg Russell.

This page links to summaries and voting records for each parliamentary session since 2005–06. Summary tables and voting records are recorded for every session since 2005–06. Below are links to pages that contain the full record of defeats for parliamentary session since 2005–6. On each page the ‘Majority’ column on the right shows the number of votes the government was beaten by. To see details of a defeat, click the PDF link line of the table and this will bring up a report showing the number of votes cast for and against, and lists of voters (in both cases broken down by party). Should you wish to see a summary of the number of government defeats per session as far back as the 1975-76 session, you may wish to consult the relevant page on the House of Lords website. The Constitution Unit can email you every time a new defeat is added to our record. If you would like us to do so, please sign up to our dedicated mailing list.