Does the House of Commons need to change to reflect a more fragmented politics? On 19 January, join @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons at our free, online event. Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

ON THE BLOG: The Constitution Unit blog in 2025: a review of the last 12 months of constitutional analysis Looking back on last year, blog editor Dave Busfield-Birch looks at where the blog was popular (the Philippines, apparently), and highlights the best blogs from the past 12 months.

Does the House of Commons need to change to reflect a more fragmented politics? On 19 January, join @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons at our free, online event. Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Join and help to lead the Constitution Unit! @uclspp.bsky.social is looking for a Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics who will also join our senior team and contribute to our research and impact activities. Applicants must have, or be near to finishing, a PhD. Apply 👇

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 👇

We want to hear from you! Having celebrated our 30th birthday earlier this year and with a relatively new UK government in office, we think now is a good time to take a fresh look at what we are doing. Fill out our short survey (which is easier on a computer) 👉 qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_....

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 👇

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 👇

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 👇

Why do we keep burning through prime ministers? Should politicians have more faith in the people? Are we becoming "the heroes of our own disaster movie"? I *really* enjoyed taking part in this podcast. I hope you enjoy it, too!

Does the House of Commons need to change to reflect a more fragmented politics? On 19 January, join @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons at our free, online event. Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

We want to hear from you! Having celebrated our 30th birthday earlier this year and with a relatively new UK government in office, we think now is a good time to take a fresh look at what we are doing. Fill out our short survey (which is easier on a computer) 👉 qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_....

ON THE BLOG: The Constitution Unit blog in 2025: a review of the last 12 months of constitutional analysis As the year comes to an end, blog editor Dave Busfield-Birch looks at where the blog was popular (the Philippines, apparently), and highlights the best blogs from the past 12 months.

Look like a great opportunity - @conunitucl.bsky.social is a genuine powerhouse for work in this area

ON THE BLOG: The Constitution Unit blog in 2025: a review of the last 12 months of constitutional analysis As the year comes to an end, blog editor Dave Busfield-Birch looks at where the blog was popular (the Philippines, apparently), and highlights the best blogs from the past 12 months.

This is my third Christmas at the Constitution Unit and I have finally found a reason to sneak 'Merry Christmas' into a social media post! Please complete our short survey — every response is being carefully read. And, if you have a PhD, consider applying to join the Unit!

Join and help to lead the Constitution Unit! @uclspp.bsky.social is looking for a Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics who will also join our senior team and contribute to our research and impact activities. Applicants must have, or be near to finishing, a PhD. Apply 👇

NEW BLOG: The Constitution Unit blog in 2025: a review of the last 12 months of constitutional analysis As the year comes to an end, blog editor Dave Busfield-Birch looks at where the blog was popular (the Philippines, apparently), and highlights the best blogs from the past 12 months.

We want to hear from you! Having celebrated our 30th birthday earlier this year and with a relatively new UK government in office, we think now is a good time to take a fresh look at what we are doing. Fill out our short survey (which is easier on a computer) 👉 qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_....

NEW BLOG: The Constitution Unit blog in 2025: a review of the last 12 months of constitutional analysis As the year comes to an end, blog editor Dave Busfield-Birch looks at where the blog was popular (the Philippines, apparently), and highlights the best blogs from the past 12 months.

The New Year Honours List will be released next week. 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 👇

We want to hear from you! Having celebrated our 30th birthday earlier this year and with a relatively new UK government in office, we think now is a good time to take a fresh look at what we are doing. Fill out our short survey (which is easier on a computer) 👉 qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_....

ON THE BLOG: A ‘shopping list of autocratic actions’: what would-be autocrats do to recede democracy Joep van Lit and Carolien van Ham explain 7 key modes of ‘autocratisation’ and their ‘shopping list’ of autocratic behaviours, which offers a practical resource to recognise early warning signs.

Merry Christmas from the Constitution Unit! Do you have some spare time over the festive period? Why not complete our short survey about what we do and how we can do it better 👉 qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_...? Or apply for our exciting new Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics role 👇

ON THE BLOG: A ‘shopping list of autocratic actions’: what would-be autocrats do to recede democracy Joep van Lit and Carolien van Ham explain 7 key modes of ‘autocratisation’ and... see more

ON THE BLOG: A ‘shopping list of autocratic actions’: what would-be autocrats do to recede democracy Joep van Lit and Carolien van Ham explain 7 key modes of ‘autocratisation’ and their ‘shopping list’ of autocratic behaviours, which offers a practical resource to recognise early warning signs

A more assertive and exciting report from the Commons Backbench Business Committee than I was anticipating, published yesterday. Longer thread from the UCL Constitution Unit below. (One slight correction - it describes me as the first Clerk of BBCom - I was in fact the second.)

We want to hear from you! Having celebrated our 30th birthday earlier this year and with a relatively new UK government in office, we think now is a good time to take a fresh look at what we are doing. Fill out our short survey (which is easier on a computer) 👉 qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_....

Does the House of Commons need to change to reflect a more fragmented politics? On 19 January, join @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons at our free, online event. Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

NEW BLOG: A ‘shopping list of autocratic actions’: what would-be autocrats do to recede democracy Joep van Lit and Carolien van Ham explain 7 key modes of ‘autocratisation’ and their ‘shopping list’ of autocratic behaviours, which offers a practical resource to recognise early warning signs

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: A ‘shopping list of autocratic actions’: what would-be autocrats do to recede democracy Joep van Lit and Carolien van Ham explain 7 key modes of ‘autocratisation’ and their ‘shopping list’ of autocratic behaviours, which offers a practical resource to recognise early warning signs

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....

We want to hear from you! Having celebrated our 30th birthday earlier this year and with a relatively new UK government in office, we think now is a good time to take a fresh look at what we are doing. Fill out our short survey (which is easier on a computer) 👉 qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_....

ON THE BLOG: ECHR reform: a danger of contagion in relation to Article 3 @profveronika.bsky.social argues that the ECHR is at a tipping point and urges the Starmer government not to seek a reinterpretation of Article 3, a policy she views as undermining the very core of the human rights system.

It is good to see @theguardian.com support Meg Russell on limiting prime ministerial appointments to the House of Lords. Read her blog post from July 👉 constitution-unit.com/2025/07/01/1.... Read today's editorial 👉 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre....

We want to hear from you! Having celebrated our 30th birthday earlier this year and with a relatively new UK government in office, we think now is a good time to take a fresh look at what we are doing. Fill out our short survey (which is easier on a computer) 👉 qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_....

These complaints have been going on for many years under various governments, with the Constitution Unit making the same case throughout. This, for example, is from 2022: constitution-unit.com/2022/11/17/t...

ON THE BLOG: ECHR reform: a danger of contagion in relation to Article 3 @profveronika.bsky.social argues that the ECHR is at a tipping point and urges the Starmer government not to seek a reinterpretation of Article 3, a policy she views as undermining the very core of the human rights system.

ON THE BLOG: Do the government’s electoral reforms go far enough? @rowaninlondon.bsky.social summarises the contributions made by the expert panel assembled for the Unit's recent event on the government's plans for electoral reform.

It is good to see @theguardian.com support Meg Russell on limiting prime ministerial appointments to the House of Lords. Read her blog post from July 👉 constitution-unit.com/2025/07/01/1.... Read today's editorial 👉 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre....

'What has happened, Meg, to the bit in that manifesto saying we are going to sort of work out what to do with the House of Lords? Because has that started? Have I missed it?' Our Director, Meg Russell, appeared on BBC Radio 4's PM programme to discuss yesterday's new Lords appointments. Watch 👇

'What has happened, Meg, to the bit in that manifesto saying we are going to sort of work out what to do with the House of Lords? Because has that started? Have I missed it?' Our Director, Meg Russell, appeared on BBC Radio 4's PM programme to discuss yesterday's new Lords appointments. Watch 👇

🧵 The government was defeated in the House of Lords once yesterday, 10th December 2025. The government was defeated 244 to 220 votes on amendment B1 to the Employment Rights Bill during the 3rd round of Lords consideration of commons amendments. 👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

The Modernisation Committee has published its accessibility report. Read Meg Russell and @rowaninlondon.bsky.social's evidence 👉 committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide.... Read Tom Fleming's evidence 👉 committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide.... Read it 👉 publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm....

Have you been keeping up to date with Northern Ireland politics? The new edition of our constitutional review says that 'waters are getting choppier' and covers Irish language signage, a motion of no confidence, a Gaelic football stadium and more. Read more 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

ON THE BLOG: ECHR reform: a danger of contagion in relation to Article 3 @profveronika.bsky.social argues that the ECHR is at a tipping point and urges the Starmer government not to seek a reinterpretation of Article 3, a policy she views as undermining the very core of the human rights system.

We want to hear from you! Having celebrated our 30th birthday earlier this year and with a relatively new UK government in office, we think now is a good time to take a fresh look at what we are doing. Fill out our short survey (which is easier on a computer) 👉 qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_....

ON THE BLOG: Do the government’s electoral reforms go far enough? @rowaninlondon.bsky.social summarises the contributions made by the expert panel assembled for the Unit's recent event on the government's plans for electoral reform.

Does the House of Commons need to change to reflect a more fragmented politics? On 19 January, join @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons at our free, online event. Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....