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-....

This was a galvanising discussion from a brilliant panel. They covered - amongst other things - the urgent need for public and civil society deliberation and empowerment to repair respect and trust in politics, and to shift the democratic doom loop to a hope loop.

ON THE BLOG: When there is a mid-term change of Prime Minister, what should the Cabinet Manual say about access talks and the caretaker convention? @peterr48.bsky.social questions if the new Cabinet Manual should cover access talks and restrictions on activity when a PM is to leave office mid-term.

ON THE BLOG: When there is a mid-term change of Prime Minister, what should the Cabinet Manual say about access talks and the caretaker convention? @peterr48.bsky.social questions if the new Cabinet Manual should cover access talks and restrictions on activity when a PM is to leave office mid-term.

It has been a busy week at the Constitution Unit! On Tuesday, our Deputy Director, Tom Fleming, gave oral evidence to the House of Commons Modernisation Committee on how House of Commons time is used with @louisevthompson.bsky.social, David Natzler and @courtenayilbert.bsky.social. Find out more 👇️

There are respectable arguments for breaking up HM Treasury. Other countries separate the finance and economic ministry roles; others separate the finance/economic role from the budget ministry. But now is not the time. Let me explain why. 1/

NEW BLOG: When there is a mid-term change of Prime Minister, what should the Cabinet Manual say about access talks and the caretaker convention? @peterr48.bsky.social questions if the new Cabinet Manual should cover access talks and restrictions on activity when a PM is to leave office mid-term.

ON THE BLOG: When there is a mid-term change of Prime Minister, what should the Cabinet Manual say about access talks and the caretaker convention? @peterr48.bsky.social questions if the new Cabinet Manual should cover access talks and restrictions on activity when a PM is to leave office mid-term.

NEW BLOG: Revising the Cabinet Manual: why the timetable is tight for publication in early 2027 Following Peter Riddell’s blog welcoming a government decision to update the Cabinet Manual, former Unit Director Robert Hazell explores in greater depth the process to be followed by the Cabinet Office

Now that Andy Burnham is returning to Westminster, and possibly heading to Downing Street, what next for constitutional reform? On 9 July, join Frances Foley, @cathhaddon.bsky.social and @lisajames.bsky.social to discuss just this at our free, online event. Sign up 👉️ ucl.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

It is not completely clear who is going to be PM in three weeks, but what is certain is that we will be holding this amazing event on the constitution and the next few of years. And, if you cannot wait, our conference of amazing speakers across six panels is taking place next week, so do sign up 👇

Meg Russell has written a chapter on the debate in parliament between 2016 and 2019 in Anthony Seldon's latest book, The Brexit Effect, 2016–2026. Drawing on her 2023 book, she says that parliament 'emerged battered and bruised from the process'. Find out more 👇️

ON THE BLOG: Revising the Cabinet Manual: why the timetable is tight for publication in early 2027 Following Peter Riddell’s blog on the government's decision to update the Cabinet Manual, former Unit Director Robert Hazell explores in greater depth the process to be followed by the Cabinet Office

ON THE BLOG: The government is right to update the Cabinet Manual – wide consultation can help it do so @peterr48.bsky.social explains the background of, need to and potential problems with updating the Cabinet Manual. He calls for the widest possible political and expert involvement.

ON THE BLOG: The government is right to update the Cabinet Manual – wide consultation can help it do so @peterr48.bsky.social explains the background of, need to and potential problems with updating the Cabinet Manual. He calls for the widest possible political and expert involvement.

BREAKING: The government has announced that it will update the Cabinet Manual. See the Written Statement: questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat.... @lisajames.bsky.social wrote about the urgent need for updating last year 👇

NEW BLOG: The Mandelson scandal is another reminder that the standards regime needs a legislative overhaul Peter Riddell argues news of yet another standards scandal shows ministers must be proactive, seeking to future proof the system through legislation, rather than reacting to individual crises

NEW BLOG: The Mandelson scandal is another reminder that the standards regime needs a legislative overhaul Peter Riddell argues news of yet another standards scandal shows ministers must be proactive, seeking to future proof the system through legislation, rather than reacting to individual crises

The New Year Honours List 2026 has been published! How does the system work behind the scenes? Could it be improved? We hosted Sue Owen, @peterr48.bsky.social and Dominic Grieve to discuss just this. Listen to a recording 👉 the-constitution-unit.simplecast.com/episodes/dem.... Or watch 👇

How are people chosen for honours? How does the system work behind the scenes? Could it be improved? Next Tuesday, join Sue Owen, Peter Riddell and Dominic Grieve to discuss just this at our free, online event. Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

NEW BLOG: The Ethics and Integrity Commission: a good start, but more is needed Peter Riddell and Robert Hazell welcome the creation of the new body, but say that it will need stronger membership, more staff and resources, and a statutory foundation.

NEW BLOG: The government's proposed standards reforms are a promising start, but there should be more to come Former Commissioner for Public Appointments Peter Riddell welcomes the reforms, but argues legislation would enhance enforcement & further action should be taken during this parliament

ON THE BLOG: Labour and the constitution: (almost) one year on Ahead of our annual conference, which starts next week and features a keynote speech by Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, @lisajames.bsky.social‬ analyses government progress so far against the commitments in its manifesto

Spot on - this government has a largely disappointing record so far on measures to improve standards in public life

Great @conunitucl.bsky.social piece from Peter Riddell on the government's progress - or lack of - on reforming the ethical standards system in the UK: constitution-unit.com/2025/05/30/t... Join us to discuss in more detail in a couple of weeks! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/nolan-...

NEW BLOG: The government’s neglect of standards in public life has a cost Peter Riddell argues public perception matters as much as adherence to formal codes of conduct. If ministers do not act on this soon, they risk adding to the impression that this is a government with no clear strategy

ON OUR BLOG: The government’s neglect of standards in public life has a cost Peter Riddell argues public perception matters as much as adherence to formal codes of conduct. If ministers do not act on this soon, they risk adding to the impression that this is a government with no clear strategy