As the Government has announced plans to delay local elections, Tasneem Ghazi investigates how appropriate such delays are in our latest blog post. Read it now at: https://consoc.org.uk/delaying-local-government-elections/

Civil servants serve the Government of the day — Sue Gray didn’t break the constitution. But the row over her move shows how fragile constitutional trust can be when convention meets politics. Colin Talbot discusses https://consoc.org.uk/sue-gray-and-the-labour-party/

Parliamentary sovereignty works in Britain because it’s caged by convention. In Israel, the cage is missing. Elijah Granet discusses https://consoc.org.uk/israel-reforms-and-the-uk/

Two years on from Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation, her constitutional legacy still divides opinion. She pushed the limits of devolution, but independence looks further away than ever. What’s the path now for Scotland’s future? https://consoc.org.uk/sturgeons-legacy-to-the-constitution/

The UKSC's ruling in Allister confirmed the Northern Ireland Protocol is lawful — but it also raised big constitutional questions. Parliamentary sovereignty may have won the day, but debates about constitutional change are far from over. https://consoc.org.uk/the-allister-ruling-and-why-it-matters/

Democracy isn’t optional. ⏳ With turnout falling and elections skewed towards the old and wealthy, compulsory voting could be the wake-up call UK politics desperately needs. https://consoc.org.uk/compulsory-voting-uk/

Should "proprotiationaly" be grounds for judicial review? Is it already? Charlotte O'Brien explores in our latest blog post. Read it now at: https://consoc.org.uk/proportionality-and-reasoning-in-judicial-review/

The UK Government’s Bill of Rights Bill? Stuck, incoherent, and potentially harmful. From human rights in England to Brexit-era confusion, it’s time for a truly modern, British approach. ⚖️ https://consoc.org.uk/britain-needs-an-ambitious-bill-of-rights/

From Chris Mullin to Greg Clark: select committee chairs have always moved between scrutiny and ministerial office. Recent research confirms the “alternative career path” is mostly a myth. 🏛️ https://consoc.org.uk/a-revolving-door-between-the-front-bench-and-select-committees/

From Brexit to Boris, the UK’s flexible constitution has shown its cracks. Time to write down the rules: a constitution for the people, the nations, and the law. https://consoc.org.uk/why-the-uk-needs-a-written-constitution/

What were the recent outcomes of the Covid-19 Inquiry, and might the proposed Hillsborough Law prevent a reoccurrence of some of the problems? Kate Dewsnip investigates: https://consoc.org.uk/outcomes-of-the-covid-19-inquiry/

Partygate, fiscal chaos, breaches of norms: recent UK governments have tested the limits of constitutional practice. A PM’s oath and, perhaps one day, a written constitution may be needed to restore trust. https://consoc.org.uk/constitutional-combustion-continues/

Forty-four days in office. The Truss administration collapsed almost as quickly as Charles I’s final fifty-five days from trial to execution. History remembers character and consequence: one king became a martyr, the other a cautionary footnote. https://consoc.org.uk/the-trials-of-king-charles-i/

What is the significance of the government's intention to reduce the use of trial by jury? Stuart Wallace considers the proposed changes in our latest blog post. Read it now at: https://consoc.org.uk/the-end-of-trial-by-jury/

“Constitutional reform in the UK is unfinished business: a fair settlement for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England is essential to prevent fracture and maintain legitimacy.” https://consoc.org.uk/constitutional-change-is-unfinished-business/

Ideology meets reality: The Truss government’s bold fiscal plans show how party rules, executive power, and convention collide – and how the UK system can push back. https://consoc.org.uk/the-fiscal-statement-disaster/

16 December 1689: The English Bill of Rights was formally enacted. This landmark Act set out basic civil rights and the limits of royal power. Read Joanna George’s Blog post about why the proposed ‘Modern’ Bill of Rights is contradictory constitutionalism - https://loom.ly/GoEKnOI

How free are MPs to vote according to conscience? The UK’s whipping system raises questions about parliamentary independence, ethics, and the health of representative democracy. https://consoc.org.uk/inside-the-uk-whipping-system/

Who chooses the UK’s Prime Minister? When party members do questions of legitimacy, transparency, and voting security become central to our democracy. https://consoc.org.uk/party-members-and-prime-ministers/

Reforming the UK’s Human Rights framework is no small task. The Bill of Rights Bill raises questions about how rights, devolution, and international obligations intersect—and who benefits from such changes. https://consoc.org.uk/modern-bill-of-rights/

With the government announcing its plans to scrap Police and Crime Commissioners, Colin Talbot explores the answered question of who will police the police in their absence. Read it now at: https://consoc.org.uk/the-abolition-of-pccs/

Today is Human Rights Day. On 10 Dec 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was signed—key to UK law via the Human Rights Act 1998. Jane Richards explores - https://consoc.org.uk/leaving-the-echr/

Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland—and England—face a constitutional crossroads. A UK-wide Constitutional Convention could modernise governance, clarify sovereignty, and strengthen shared civic values across the nations. https://consoc.org.uk/the-uk-must-move-to-a-constitutional-convention/

Conflict and the Constitution https://consoc.org.uk/conflict-and-the-constitution/

On 6 Dec 1884, the Third Reform Act received Royal Assent. This Act (Representation of the People Act 1884) extended voting rights to many rural working men, roughly doubling the electorate again.

Scotland's roadmap for independence: Plan A – consensual referendum; Plan B – unilateral referendum with Supreme Court referral; Plan C – turning a UK general election into a “de facto referendum.” https://consoc.org.uk/securing-scotlands-independence/

Johnson’s legacy: constitutional norms weakened, public institutions undermined, Brexit tensions intensified, and trust in governance strained. The UK’s political system faces enduring consequences. https://consoc.org.uk/the-consequences-of-johnson/

Last Friday the Constitution Society and Learn with the Lords welcomed thousands of students in person and online across the UK to participate in a special question time event at the home of the famous Putney Debates. Dexter Govan has the story: https://consoc.org.uk/question-time-in-putney/

Did “Carriegate” cross the line into corruption? Intent and private gain matter, but without full evidence, only risk can be assessed. Johnson’s repeated ethical controversies suggest caution. https://consoc.org.uk/carriegate-is-the-prime-minister-corrupt/

Emergency powers are essential but inherently risky. From pandemic responses in the UK to crises in Canada and Ukraine, how governments wield these powers tests the balance between effective action and democratic accountability. https://consoc.org.uk/emergency-powers-in-the-united-kingdom/

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #OnThisDay in 1999, the Scottish Parliament met in its permanent building for the first time. This marked a historic step in UK devolution and self-governance. Its powers include education, health, and justice. #Devolution #ScottishParliament #OnThisDay 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Today is #StAndrewsDay – Scotland’s national day. A moment to reflect on Scottish constitutional identity and its evolving role in the Union. Devolution, independence debates, and constitutional consent continue to shape Scotland’s place in the UK. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

What lessons can be learned from the 2021-22 parliamentary session? https://consoc.org.uk/the-queens-speech-the-johnson-government-and-the-constitution-lessons-from-the-2021-22-session/

Freedom of speech has been at the centre of debate in the UK for much of the past five years, but too often the debate is built on shaky foundations. Read our new 'A Very Short History of Free Speech' by Oliver Bramley now at: https://consoc.org.uk/very-short-history-of-freedom-of-speech/

“If we were to build Britain anew, would we not recognise the sovereignty of its nations — and build a Union by choice, not by default?” https://consoc.org.uk/a-new-constitutional-partnership-for-these-isles/

The UK’s “political constitution” isn’t dying — it’s misunderstood. A @Con_Soc report argues that to protect it, we need to stop treating it as a slogan and start treating it as a living, evolving conversation. https://consoc.org.uk/the-political-constitution-an-idea-worth-understanding/

The Ministerial Code says ministers who mislead Parliament should resign. But what happens when it’s the Prime Minister who breaks that rule — and no one enforces it? https://consoc.org.uk/a-constitutional-requirement-to-resign/

The Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 repealed the Fixed-term Parliaments Act — What does this mean in practice? https://consoc.org.uk/the-intention-behind-the-repeal-of-the-fixed-term-parliaments-act-is-to-strengthen-the-executive-and-the-conservative-party/

England is one of the most centralised countries in Europe — and it shows. “Levelling up” won’t work without levelling democracy. It’s time to give local communities real power, not just hand-me-downs from Whitehall. 🇬🇧🏛️ https://consoc.org.uk/ending-englands-democratic-deficit/

“It could never happen here." From Lord Hailsham’s “elective dictatorship” to Lord Puttnam’s fears of democratic backsliding — warnings about UK democracy are older, and more persistent, than we think. https://consoc.org.uk/should-we-be-worried-about-democracy-in-the-united-kingdom/

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 On this day in 1998, the Scotland Act received Royal Assent, establishing the Scottish Parliament. Read Tasneem Ghazis Blog post - https://consoc.org.uk/reference-by-the-lord-advocate/

With proposals for digital ID attracting much attention and criticism, Dr Mark Bennister considers the wider history of ID cards and analyses the government's recent efforts to introduce a new Britcard. Read it now at: https://consoc.org.uk/time-for-digital-id/

From ‘partygate’ to a Prime Minister’s Department — is centralising No.10 the answer, or part of the problem? https://consoc.org.uk/a-prime-ministers-department-redefining-the-centre-of-british-government/

“Stop the world, Scotland wants to get on.” Half a century later, maybe it’s time Scotland got on with its own foreign policy. Should Holyrood have a say on treaties and diplomacy? https://consoc.org.uk/stop-the-world-scotland-wants-to-get-on-devolution-and-scotlands-role-in-the-world/

Deepfake technology, once a sci-fi spectre, is now a real threat to democracy. With rising incidents of deepfakes globally, how do we address growing concerns about their capacity to mislead and manipulate public opinion in our politics? https://consoc.org.uk/democratic-challenges-of-deepfake-tech/

Last year the 15-year limit on overseas voting was lifted, allowing an estimated 3.5 million emigrants to participate in elections. How did this significant change impact the integrity of the electoral process in the UK? https://consoc.org.uk/should-long-term-emigrants-be-allowed-to-vote/

Reasons to be cheerful? There's much to celebrate in the Curriculum and Assessment Review's final report, including a great deal on constitutional literacy – but we will have to keep up the pressure! Read the details in our latest blog post: https://consoc.org.uk/cited-curriculum-review-published/

The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) drafts legislation and guides its passage, ensuring laws are clear and effective - while it aims for coherence, have recent years shown issues with the clarity and accessibility of legislation? https://consoc.org.uk/office-of-the-parliamentary-counsel/

What is our FPTP voting system, and what are its challenges around disproportionality? Let's look at how FPTP shapes voter behavior and party strategies, whilst considering the potential benefits and drawbacks of proportional representation. https://consoc.org.uk/prvfptp-pratical-ethical-tradeoffs/

The Salisbury-Addison Convention aids the swift passage of manifesto-driven legislation, allowing the government to push forward despite potential opposition in the Lords- but what exactly is this convention, rooted in post-1945 political agreements? https://consoc.org.uk/what-is-salisbury-addison/