Reforming the Commons: The backbench MP's guide to achieving procedural change Our new guide, published today, says that procedural reform is important, but changing how the House of Commons operates can appear daunting. It aims to help backbench MPs, and others, who want to do this. Read it 👇

Today is a big day at the Constitution Unit as @alanrenwick.bsky.social takes over as Director and Tom Fleming becomes Deputy Director. Congratulations and good luck! Read our announcement from last month 👇

The House of Commons Backbench Business Committee has today published a 15th anniversary report about its work and options for reform. The report extensively cites Meg Russell and @hannahkelly.bsky.social's submission. Read the report 👉 publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm....

NEW BLOG: Assessing the House of Commons Backbench Business Committee 15 years on Unit Director Meg Russell and Hannah Kelly argue changes are needed to get back to the Wright Committee’s vision of it helping facilitate a more responsive and independent House of Commons.

Bertrand Russell to Oswald Mosley. Perfection.

Absolutely incredible work from my old boss and the whole team at the UCL HD Centre!

House of Commons procedure: why does it matter and how does it change? @hannahkelly.bsky.social, @lisajames.bsky.social and Meg Russell explain that House of Commons procedure provides a roadmap for decision-making and helps to set the balance of power between different actors. Read it 👇

We have new opinion polling on House of Lords reform! There is overwhelming public support to go beyond the government's current plans to remove hereditary peers (due to be debated in the Lords on Wednesday), including to limit prime ministerial appointments and cap the chamber's size. A thread 👇

Its very easy to be gaslit into thinking otherwise but tonight's outpouring of people offering spare rooms, hotel rooms, lifts, spreading awareness and general assistance to those in need is a timely reminder that humanity is powerful and community spirit will never be broken.

your regular reminder that buying Harry Potter stuff gives money to Rowling and she uses that money directly and in large quantities to fund attacks on trans people no ethical consumption under capitalism and all but “don’t buy Potter stuff” is an extremely easy baseline to follow

...and yet the are players in the men's premier league who have been accused of sexually assaulting multiple women and continue to play every week, and the FA has nought to say. this has nothing to do with 'protecting women'. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Monitor 89 includes: 🎩 Ongoing House of Lords reform 🗳️ Voting system, party funding and other electoral reforms 💼 Negative briefings against the Attorney General 💶 Brexit-related developments in Northern Ireland 🍁 The new Canadian Prime Minister And the lead story is on our blog 👇

We are celebrating today because we have reached 10,000 followers on Bluesky! Research Fellow @hannahkelly.bsky.social has baked some amazing cakes to mark the occasion. Thank you to all our followers: we are so pleased that people find our work interesting and useful. Next step: 20,000!

ah this is so great, you should read it even if you're not really into darts imo

Ronnie Spector has what is easily the funniest quote in that new Beatles '64 documentary.

Tom Fleming @conunitucl.bsky.social presents joint research with @hannahkelly.bsky.social on trends in procedural reform motions since 1997 - Only very few opposition day motions - Between 2010-2013, some procedural (long-term) changes were adopted in backbench business but decline since