NEW BLOG: Government plans for electoral reform are welcome but contain one serious error of judgement @alanrenwick.bsky.social argues much of what the government proposes is good. But the newly appointed ministers responsible for elections will need to make further progress on some crucial matters

Thoughts from me on the UK government's elections policy paper. In short: many good things, but several points don't go far enough, and there is one big mistake.

Many congratulations to my great colleague Luis Schenoni on this wonderful, richly deserved achievement! @uclspp.bsky.social

Listen to 'Uncovering Politics' for expert insights into both the immediate drivers of the 2024 result and the longer-term transformations reshaping UK politics. With @martamiori.bsky.social @psurridge.bsky.social @profjanegreen.bsky.social @alanrenwick.bsky.social

This, by @alanrenwick.bsky.social, is spot on about the dire impact of Prime Minister's Questions - the flagship event of the parliamentary week. www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

'They should be the start of an ongoing process of fundamental democratic renewal. And on some of the matters requiring further change, the need for action is urgent.' Read our Deputy Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social's, instant analysis of the elections white paper for @uclpolicylab.bsky.social 👇

Don't miss the UCL Constitution Unit's new Monitor, out today. It's filled, as ever, with analysis of constitutional developments over the past four months or so - Lords reform electoral reform, devolution, and lots more. @conunitucl.bsky.social

Fascinating discussion of the current English devolution plans, particularly exploring their effects on democracy. Thank you to all three speakers for bringing such insight and clarity.

The government has announced that the voting system for mayoral and PCC elections will be changed back to SV. Our Deputy Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, said last year that the switch to FPTP in 2022 harmed democracy and called for it to be reversed 👉 constitution-unit.com/2024/05/24/t....

Great to see that the English Devolution Bill, published today, restores the Supplementary Vote system for electing mayors and PCCs. In a blogpost last year, I set out why the switch to FPTP in 2022 was bad for democracy, and why reversing that move is good. constitution-unit.com/2024/05/24/t...

I think, between us, there are some gems of insight here - thanks to @alanrenwick.bsky.social and colleagues @uclspp.bsky.social

Today the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill is set to have its second day of report stage in the Lords. We will mainly be looking out for amendment 23, from Crossbencher Lord (Terry) Burns. This would cap the chamber's size at 650 and limit prime ministerial appointments. A thread 👇

Just one week to go before this great panel of speakers gathers to discuss one of the biggest political reforms currently on the agenda in the UK. Please do sign up through the link below!

Important new polling on Lords reform from my @conunitucl.bsky.social colleague Meg Russell. There is very wide public support for going further than ministers are currently proposing. 👇👇

'In short, the shifting sands of politics are making electoral reform more likely. But almost certainly not before the 2030s. And much will depend on how the party system evolves in the years to come.' @alanrenwick.bsky.social responds to recent polling in @uk.theconversation.com. Read it 👇

New thoughts from me in @theconversation.com: Q: Could electoral reform actually happen in the UK? A: Yes, the chances are rising - but not till after the next general election at the earliest. theconversation.com/survey-shows...

It was such a pleasure to be part of this rich discussion of deliberative democracy and climate change earlier this month. Read a summary and watch the whole video on the link below. Many thanks to all at @gchuoxford.bsky.social for organizing it!

Excellent words from @alanrenwick.bsky.social "The core of democracy lies in respectful dialogue across diverse perspectives among and between representatives and the wider public. Such dialogue is currently badly corroded." www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/views/letter...

If you missed any or all of this year's Constitution Unit summer conference, recordings of all sessions are now available. We had some lively debates and lots of great insights. All very much worth your attention!

Join us at 10am, 1pm and 3pm for day one our free, online conference! Coming up today: 🗣️ Opening keynote from Nick Thomas-Symonds MP 💼 Standards in public life 🗳️ The electoral system in a multiparty era A recording of each session will be made available. Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution....

'A great deal needs to be done. But it would cost little money, and it is all possible.' @alanrenwick.bsky.social has a letter in ‪@prospectmagazine.co.uk‬ about the different steps that could and should be taken to protect UK democracy. Read it 👉 www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/views/letter....

Happy Birthday to us! 🎂🎂🎂 The UCL Constitution Unit is 30 years old today. And what a period that has been in British politics. To reflect on the latest constitutional developments, do sign up to our annual conference, taking place on line next week - follow the thread below for a link.

Do you know any PhD students who would like to help teach British Politics at UCL for a term next year? If so, we have a PGTA role! Please do share this ad among your networks. www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/...

Coming up this afternoon - join us online for what looks set to be a great discussion!

What a joy it was to meet the wonderful Mary McAleese on Tuesday, as she received an honorary degree from UCL. She offers a shining example of how to build bridges and overcome prejudices. May we all live up to the values of openness, inclusion, care, and respect that she champions with such verve.

BBC Projected National Share (PNS) share of the local election vote: Con 15 Lab 20 LD 17 Green 11 Reform 30

Thanks to @arinsproject.bsky.social for having me on to discuss my new @conunitucl.bsky.social report on options for Stormont reform, co-authored with @alanwhysall.bsky.social and @alanrenwick.bsky.social FYI @ballioloxford.bsky.social @bairishstudies.bsky.social

If you'd like to hear about options for reforming Northern Ireland's governing institutions, but you don't have time to read our report, we covered a lot of the ground (though not quite all of it!) in this podcast episode. Thank you to the ARINS team for such a stimulating discussion.

It was a real privilege to be in Belfast on Monday to discuss our report on possible reforms at Stormont with @katyhayward.bsky.social, Ann Watt at @pivotalppf.bsky.social and a very thoughtful and perceptive audience. For all who couldn't be there, see the full recording here. 👇

There is some discussion today about the voting systems used in local elections. Last year, our Deputy Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, crunched the numbers and found that using FPTP instead of SV switched at least four, probably seven and as many as 10 or 12 PCC races in 2024's elections.

On 28 April, join @katyhayward.bsky.social, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, Ann Watt @pivotalppf.bsky.social, @alanwhysall.bsky.social and John Garry to discuss our latest report on reforming Northern Ireland's governing institutions at an in-person event in Belfast. Sign up 👇

If, like me, you were offline last week, you missed this exploration of the role of pol parties in democratic renewal, by @davidfarrell-ucd.bsky.social. It's very thought-provoking. It offers good reason for hope. A key question is how to incentivize parties to make positive changes.

Fascinating!

It was great to see @conorjkelly.bsky.social, @alanrenwick.bsky.social and @alanwhysall.bsky.social's latest report, as well as some earlier reports, presented to @niassembly.gov.uk's Assembly and Executive Review Committee yesterday. Read the report 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution.... Watch along 👇

What's going on with Lords reform? Meg Russell here offers the complete guide.

You may have seen our new report on Northern Ireland's governing institutions today. On 28 April, @katyhayward.bsky.social, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, Ann Watt @pivotalppf.bsky.social, @alanwhysall.bsky.social and John Garry will be discussing the report at an in-person event in Belfast. Sign up 👇

It is excellent to see our new report by @conorjkelly.bsky.social, @alanrenwick.bsky.social and @alanwhysall.bsky.social written up by @markhennessy.bsky.social @irishtimes.com. Read Reform of Stormont: Options for Discussion 👇

1) NEW REPORT 🚨 'Reform of Stormont: Options for Discussion' was published by the @conunitucl.bsky.social today! Co-authored by @alanrenwick.bsky.social, @alanwhysall.bsky.social, and myself. It is free to read here: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution...

Fascinating new report by Conor, @alanwhysall.bsky.social and @alanrenwick.bsky.social

NEW REPORT! Many people are talking about reforms to Northern Ireland's political institutions. But what impact would such changes have? I've learnt so much exploring this issue with my fantastic colleagues. I hope our report - which offers analysis, not conclusions - will aid the conversation.

Want to know what's happened in the world of the UK constitution over the last few months? (A fair bit, it turns out.) Here's your complete review. 👇

The rules on party funding are a key part of our democracy. But are the current arrangements fit for purpose? We have an extra panel coming together to discuss these matters in just over a week's time. Please do sign up!

I have learnt so much working with the team on this report. All sorts of nuggets in there for anyone interested in the dynamics of the UK's constitution.

NEW BLOG: More of the same or a new opportunity for British-Irish ​​Relations? The first annual UK-Ireland Summit is due to take place this month. @conorjkelly.bsky.social and @etaintannam.bsky.social argue that political relationships have improved since Brexit, but challenges remain.

@elizabethjevans.bsky.social and I had the opportunity to talk to @alanrenwick.bsky.social about our research and our book Disability and Political Representation on the UCL Uncovering Politics Podcast. Thanks for hosting us!

Big issues to consider here, and a fantastic set of panellists. Do sign up!

📰 Unit Director Meg Russell and Bingham Centre Director defend the Attorney General's role in today's @thetimes.com letters "With the new Trump administration’s actions in the background, it seems critical to value, not undermine, our own constitutional safeguards" www.thetimes.com/comment/lett...

NEW BLOG: How have voter ID requirements affected elections? @ralphscott.bsky.social & Edward Fieldhouse examine recent data to show what voter groups are without an accepted form of voter ID and how the new rules affected turnout at recent elections.

I very much enjoyed recording this episode of the @uclspp.bsky.social podcast on AI and public services. A key topic, and three fantastic guests with huge amounts of insight to share.