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