The Constitution Unit

Andy Burnham’s campaign to return to Westminster has pushed reform of the UK’s constitution up the political agenda. This expert panel steps back from the fast-moving political fallout of the Makerfield by-election to ask what comes next for constitutional reform. What do we know so far about Burnham’s agenda in this area? What does past experience tell us about the practical challenges for delivering such an agenda? And – ahead of a forthcoming Constitution Unit report – what broader constitutional issues deserve renewed attention from any new or continuing Prime Minister? Speakers: Frances Foley – Our Common Home, formerly Deputy Director of Compass Dr Catherine Haddon – Senior Fellow, Institute for Government Lisa James – Senior Research Fellow, UCL Constitution Unit Chair: Dr Tom Fleming – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

Six prime ministers, a Brexit referendum, and an (unlawful) prorogation of parliament — it has been an extraordinary decade to lead the UCL Constitution Unit . Meg Russell steps back from that role and joins host Emily McTernan to reflect on a career spanning nearly three decades, from advising Robin Cook as Leader of the House of Commons to shaping parliamentary reform from the outside. Along the way, they discuss what this turbulent period reveals about the fragility of British democracy, the erosion of constitutional norms, and who is ultimately responsible for protecting our political system. Mentioned in this episode: Meg Russell's valedictory lecture Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

Parliament is currently considering the Representation of the People Bill. As well as lowering the voting age for UK elections to 16, this legislation contains a host of changes in other areas, including voter registration, voter ID, political finance, and the role of the Electoral Commission. Will these changes be sufficient to deliver fair, safe, and secure elections? If not, what more needs to be done? And does safeguarding our elections require changes of culture and behaviour, as well as new legislation? Speakers: Phoebe Arnold – Policy Lead at Full Fact John Pullinger – Chair of the Electoral Commission Philip Rycroft – former senior civil servant, and author of the 2026 review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics Chair: Professor Alan Renwick – Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

Improving standards in public life was a key plank of Labour’s promise to be different from its predecessors in government. In opposition, the party promised better behaviour and stronger systems of regulation. In office, it has introduced a number of changes, such as the creation of the promised Ethics and Integrity Commission. However, the government has faced multiple standards-related scandals, particularly in the fallout from Lord Mandelson’s appointment – and subsequent dismissal – as Ambassador to the United States. So has the government taken sufficient steps to strengthen standards in public life? How have recent events affected its plans? And what more remains to be done? Speakers: Baroness (Ruth) Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent – Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office, Baroness-in-Waiting (Government Whip), and Labour peer Doug Chalmers – Chair of the Ethics and Integrity Commission Dr Susan Hawley – Executive Director of Spotlight on Corruption Lord (Mark) Pack – Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the Cabinet Office Chair: Lisa James – Senior Research Fellow, Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

The last year has seen much discussion of how policymakers should approach changing the law in unusually difficult policy areas. In particular, failed attempts to legalise ‘assisted dying’ at Westminster and Holyrood have highlighted the challenges of legislating in areas that involve ethical debates as well as more practical questions of policy design. Meanwhile, the UK government has announced a ‘Peoples’ Panel’ on Digital ID, which adds to questions of whether innovative processes could help. This panel discusses how the policymaking process can best be designed to handle particularly controversial issues. Might it require reforms to how legislation is prepared, drafted, and debated? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using backbench bills, and of more direct public involvement? Speakers: Lord (Charlie) Falconer of Thoroton – Labour peer, former minister, and Lords sponsor of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill Dr Ruth Fox – Director of the Hansard Society Professor Jane Suiter – Director of Dublin City University’s Institute for Future Media, Democracy and Society Chair: Dr Tom Fleming – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

Uncertainty over Keir Starmer’s future has revived interest in the question – familiar from previous Conservative governments – of how political parties should select and remove their leaders. This raises various important issues, including the process by which MPs can remove incumbent leaders, the respective roles of MPs and party members in choosing a replacement, and – in an era of greater devolution – whether politicians beyond Westminster should be able to throw their hat into the ring. This panel will therefore ask: are UK political parties’ leadership selection rules fit for purpose? Speakers: Lord (Graham) Brady of Altrincham – Conservative peer and former Chair of the Conservative Party’s 1922 Committee Sienna Rodgers – Deputy Editor of The House magazine and former editor of LabourList Dr Robert Saunders – Reader in Modern British History at Queen Mary University of London Chair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit to May 2026 Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

The British public’s faith in the political system is in serious need of repair. This is particularly urgent given international fears about a wider turn away from democracy in many countries including the United States. Labour’s 2024 manifesto promised to ‘deepen’, ‘strengthen’ and ‘protect’ democracy in the UK. But what can be done to restore public confidence in the health of British democracy? To what extent does it depend on politicians delivering tangible improvements in citizens’ everyday lives? And to what extent does it require wider institutional and cultural changes in our political institutions? With respect to the latter, how could such changes be delivered? Speakers: Polly Curtis – Chief Executive of Demos Anneliese Dodds MP – Labour MP for Oxford East and former Minister for Women and Equalities and for International Development Professor Marc Stears – Director of the UCL Policy Lab Sue Tibballs – Chief Executive of Involve Chair: Professor Alan Renwick – Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

This opening panel is held 10 years to the day since the 2016 ‘Brexit’ referendum result was announced. As was predicted at the time, neither the referendum nor the UK’s eventual departure from the EU in 2020 definitively settled the UK–EU relationship, which has continued to evolve. Recent discussions have focused particularly on the Labour government’s efforts to achieve closer cooperation with the EU, and its plans for more ongoing alignment with EU rules. Particular challenges also remain in Northern Ireland. So, ten years after the referendum, what is the current state of UK–EU relations? What has changed since Labour took office? And what further changes might be coming? Speakers: Professor Katy Hayward – Professor of Political Sociology at Queen’s University Belfast Professor Anand Menon – Director of the UK in a Changing Europe and Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King’s College London Lord (Jock) Stirrup – Crossbench peer and chair of the House of Lords European Affairs Committee Chair: Lisa James – Senior Research Fellow, Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

On 12 May 2026, Professor Meg Russell FBA's time as Director of the UCL Constitution Unit culminated in her delivering a valedictory lecture at the Institute for Government. Professor Jennifer Hudson, Vice Provost (Faculties) at University College London, introduced the lecture, while Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government, concluded it. Audience questions have been removed from this recording. Professor Russell had led the Unit since 1 October 2015. She arrived at UCL in 1998, becoming Professor of British and Comparative Politics in 2014 and a Fellow of the British Academy in 2020. She is a leading authority on parliaments comparatively and the UK parliament, including a particular interest in the House of Lords. Professor Russell will continue to be based at UCL, and from September will drop to a 50% contract, continuing to teach, write and contribute to policy debates. She is succeeded as Director by Professor Alan Renwick, with Dr Tom Fleming serving as Deputy Director. Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

The government has begun the process of reviewing the BBC’s royal charter for its renewal beyond 2027. This process raises fundamental questions about the future of the organisation. How should public service broadcasting be governed in an era of widespread polarisation and distrust? How can any future governance arrangements ensure both independence and accountability? And what role should there be there for the public? We discuss these questions and others with an expert panel. Speakers: Professor Dame Diane Coyle – Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge and former Vice Chair of the BBC Trust Professor Georgina Born – Professor of Anthropology and Music at UCL Sameer Padania – Fellow at Demos Chair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit Useful reading: Georgina Born and Justin Lewis (eds.) (2025) Public service media: funding and governance options . The British Academy. Diane Coyle (2024) ‘ The Governance of the BBC ’, The Political Quarterly , 95(1), pp. 20–24. Sameer Padania, Hannah Perry, and Polly Curtis (2026) Our BBC: A blueprint for a more independent and future-proofed BBC . Demos. Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

The 2026 Senedd (Welsh Parliament) election may be one of the most significant since the start of devolution. Much attention is rightly being given to the possibility of Plaid Cymru and Reform UK ending Labour’s long dominance of Welsh politics. But this is also the first election since major reforms introduced a new electoral system, new constituencies, shorter electoral terms, and a move from 60 to 96 Senedd members. So what should we expect from the elections? How will these reforms affect the election result, the work of the Senedd, and the wider shape of Welsh politics? And are further reforms needed to safeguard and strengthen Welsh democracy? We discuss these questions with an expert panel. Speakers: Jess Blair – Director of Electoral Reform Society Cymru Professor Laura McAllister – Professor of Public Policy and the Governance of Wales at Cardiff University and former Co-Chair of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales Sir Paul Silk – former Clerk to the National Assembly for Wales and Chair of the Commission on Devolution in Wales Chair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

The 2024 election delivered an unusually fragmented opposition; almost half the non-government seats in the House of Commons were won by parties other than the Conservative 'Official Opposition'. Given current polling, the next general election is unlikely to see a return to simple 'two-party' politics. In that context, does the Commons need to change its culture, practices, or procedures to better reflect an era of more fragmented politics? What particular challenges face smaller parties in the Commons? How can they maximise their impact? We discussed these questions with the Green Party's Westminster leader, a former senior Commons official, and an academic expert. Speakers: Dr Ellie Chowns MP – Green Party Westminster Leader and MP for North Herefordshire Paul Evans – former House of Commons clerk Dr Louise Thompson – Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Manchester Chair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

The UK awards hundreds of honours each year to mark notable achievements and contributions to society. These awards – such as knighthoods, damehoods, and OBEs – can be a source of pride and a cause of controversy. So how are people chosen for these honours? How does the system work behind the scenes? And could it be improved? Ahead of the New Year Honours, we’ll discuss these questions with an expert panel. Speakers: Dame Sue Owen – former member of the Arts and Media, Economy, and Sport Honours Committees and former Permanent Secretary at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Sir Peter Riddell – former member of the Parliamentary and Political Service Honours Committee, former Commissioner for Public Appointments, and Honorary Professor at UCL Dominic Grieve KC – former Attorney General for England and Wales, and Conservative MP for Beaconsfield 1997–2019 Chair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com

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 Dunn Professor Jens Elo Peters Rytter, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Copenhagen Professor Colm O’Cinneide, Professor of Constitutional and Human Rights Law, UCL Professor Alice Donald, Professor in Human Rights Law, Middlesex University London Chair: Professor Veronika Fikfak, Professor of Human Rights and International Law, UCL Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: 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 Wyre Rose Whiffen – Senior Research Officer, Transparency International UK Tom Hawthorn – Head of Policy, Electoral Commission Professor 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-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: 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 Committee Arabella Lang – Head of Public Law at the Law Society Clare 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 Unit Further 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-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: 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 Group Roger 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-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: 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 Ireland Sarah Olney MP – Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Cabinet Office Baroness (Dianne) Hayter of Kentish Town – Labour peer, and former Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords Chair: Professor Meg Russell FBA – Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: 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 Committee Wendy Chamberlain MP – Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip, and member of the House of Commons Modernisation Committee Dr Hannah White – Director of the Institute for Government Chair: Dr Tom Fleming – Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics, UCL Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: 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 Committee Baroness (Victoria) Prentis of Banbury KC – Conservative peer, former Attorney General and former Conservative MP Dr Joelle Grogan – legal academic and presenter of The Law Show on BBC Radio 4 Chair: Professor Veronika Fikfak – Professor of Human Rights and International Law, UCL Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com