My blog for @conunitucl.bsky.social argues that the redraft of the Cabinet Manual needs to cover transitional arrangements such as access talks and ‘caretaker’ arrangements when PMs resign midterm rather than just around general elections.

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 👇️

Tom Fleming gives evidence to the Modernisation Committee on how House of Commons time is used

The Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit gave oral evidence to MPs as part of an inquiry into Backbench Business Committee and Petitions Committee Debates.

ucl.ac.uk

Meg Russell is on the latest episode of the UCL Uncovering Politics podcast. She discusses her career, including serving as our Director from 2015 to 2026 while fundamentals of the constitution came to be questioned and challenged, and how the UK's political system might be strengthened. Listen 👇️

Six Prime Ministers and a Brexit: Meg Russell Reflects on British Democracy

This week we reflect on the career and ideas of Professor Meg Russell, one of the UK's leading experts on parliament and constitutional change.

the-constitution-unit.simplecast.com

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.

When there is a mid-term change of Prime Minister, what should the Cabinet Manual say about access talks and the caretaker convention?

Important constitutional conventions around mid-term changes of Prime Minister have not yet been written down. In the latest in our mini-series of blog posts on the government’s planned update of the Cabinet Manual, Peter Riddell examines what the revised Manual should say to plug this gap.

blogs.ucl.ac.uk

The Constitution Unit's summer conference on The Constitution under Labour - one excellent panel after another, all on important and fascinating topics. You can watch them here, and I highly recommend you do!

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · last mo.

On the first day of our conference, we had four fascinating discussions about: 🌍️ UK–EU relations 📈 Restoring public confidence in UK democracy 📣 Choosing political party leaders ✍️ Making policy on difficult issues Listen 👉️ linktr.ee/constitution.... Watch 👉️ www.youtube.com/playlist?lis....

It's fascinating to revisit this post ten years on. OK, point 9 turned out to be wrong. But the rest holds up pretty well! It has lasted because it drew on great analysis done by many people - much of it, including ours, supported by the brilliant @ukandeu.bsky.social. Huge thanks to them all!

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · last mo.

Ten years ago today we published what is still our most-read blog post! @alanrenwick.bsky.social asked, after the UK voted to leave the EU, what happens next? He explained something (then little discussed) called 'Article 50'... We think that it holds up very well! Read it 👇️

How might a Burnham premiership change the constitution? Join us on 9 July for a discussion with three great experts.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

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....

Excellent new UCL Constitution Unit report out today. Andrew Tyrie argues the Intelligence and Security Committee needs beefing up, and sets out proposals for how to do that.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Watching the Watchers: The Intelligence and Security Committee: From Form to Substance A new Constitution Unit report by Andrew Tyrie makes proposals to address constraints on the Intelligence and Security Committee through a series of reforms. Read it 👇

What is a humble address? Our Deputy Director, Tom Fleming, explained all when speaking with Susan Hulme on BBC Radio 4 Today in Parliament last Friday. Listen 👇

Tom Fleming explains what a humble address is on BBC Radio 4 Today in Parliament

The Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit, Dr Tom Fleming, appeared on Today in Parliament on BBC Radio 4 with Susan Hulme on 5 June to discuss what humble addresses are, and how they relate…

youtube.com

Want to know how to change House of Commons procedures? Here is your guide.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

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 👇

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 👇

The urgent need to update the Cabinet Manual

The Cabinet Manual is an important guide to the workings of the UK’s uncodified constitution, providing an accessible roadmap for ministers, officials and the public. But the document has not been …

constitution-unit.com

Lots of fascinating food for thought here.

Ballot Box Scotland@ballotbox.scot · 2mo ago

SP26: Switching up the System Following the most disproportionate result in Holyrood's history, it's high time we started thinking about how to do things differently, and what would be most effective.

How would a Burnham premiership change the constitution? The Constitution Unit's new Deputy Director, Tom Fleming, answers all your questions.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

NEW BLOG: What could an Andy Burnham premiership mean for constitutional reform? As Burnham begins his attempt to reach Downing Street via Makerfield, new Unit Deputy Director Tom Fleming discusses how a change of Prime Minister might change the government’s approach to constitutional reform.

Our Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, will be speaking at @compassoffice.bsky.social's Change:NOW! Mobilising the Progressive Majority conference on Saturday. He will join a panel organised by @uclpolicylab.bsky.social with a particular focus on the role of participatory democracy. Sign up 👇

Change:NOW! Mobilising the Progressive Majority - Compass

Get your Tickets Last year, Compass brought together 450+ progressive pioneers at ‘Change:HOW? A Decade of Radical Renewal’ to re-orient […]

compassonline.org.uk

"There is a strong democratic case for returning to a system of electing leaders by a party’s MPs, at least when the party is in office". Good, wide-ranging piece on "the revolving-door premiership" by @alanrenwick.bsky.social, the new director of the @conunitucl.bsky.social.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

ON THE BLOG: The revolving-door premiership @alanrenwick.bsky.social says that changing prime minister between elections is normal, but current methods for doing so are inadequate. And rapid turnover is a symptom of deeper troubles requiring fundamental shifts in our political culture to address.

ON THE BLOG: The revolving-door premiership @alanrenwick.bsky.social says that changing prime minister between elections is normal, but current methods for doing so are inadequate. And rapid turnover is a symptom of deeper troubles requiring fundamental shifts in our political culture to address.

The revolving-door premiership

Manoeuvres to replace a Prime Minister are yet again afoot. In his first blogpost as the Constitution Unit’s new Director, Alan Renwick examines the increasing volatility at the top of British politics. Changes in the occupant of Number 10 between elections are normal. But current methods for filling vacancies are inadequate. And rapid turnover is a symptom of deeper troubles. Addressing those troubles will require fundamental shifts in our political culture.

constitution-unit.com

Some thoughts from me on the current political situation. Frequent turnover at the top highlights problems in how leaders are chosen, in institutions, and in deeper political culture.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 2mo ago

ON THE BLOG: The revolving-door premiership @alanrenwick.bsky.social says that changing prime minister between elections is normal, but current methods for doing so are inadequate. And rapid turnover is a symptom of deeper troubles requiring fundamental shifts in our political culture to address.

Do watch Meg Russell's fantastic valedictory lecture as UCL Constitution Unit Director, delivered last week. It was a wonderful occasion. Meg, as always, provided a sparkling analysis of the state of our democracy: what needs to change and what we must work hard to hold on to.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 3mo ago

'We need to future-proof the system... And we need explicitly to recognise and convince others of the fundamental merits of the democratic system, its fragility and of course that the alternatives are much worse.' Meg Russell gave her valedictory lecture as Director last week. Watch and listen 👇

Delighted to be joining this fantastic panel at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk next Monday. Lots of important points to discuss.

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 3mo ago

EVENT | What does the elections bill mean for the next general election? 📅Monday 18 May, 12:30-13:30 Join us as we discuss how lowering the voting age to 16 and restricting political donations could impact how elections are run.

It's quite a day to be taking over at the UCL Constitution Unit! Meg gave a fantastic speech last night to close her time in charge - video coming very soon. Thank you, Meg, for all your stellar work! Our mission to conduct rigorous research that helps inform debate on political reform goes on.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 3mo ago

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 Constitution Unit has a great new report out this morning, in which @alanwhysall.bsky.social argues for greater attention to problems of governance in Northern Ireland, and explores options to fix them.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Improving Government in Northern Ireland: Towards a Programme for Reform A new working paper by @alanwhysall.bsky.social calls for a debate, and considers initial ideas, to improve the performance of Northern Ireland's political institutions. Read it 👇

@alanrenwick.bsky.social, gave oral evidence with @profsob.bsky.social and @tobysjames.bsky.social to the Modernising Elections inquiry yesterday. Alan said that the government's plans 'could go further' and there is a case for further investigation of the electoral system. Read (and watch) more 👇

Alan Renwick says to MPs that the Representation of the People Bill 'could go further'

The Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit also advised the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee that there is a case for further investigation of the electoral system.

ucl.ac.uk

I'm thrilled to be taking over as Director of the Constitution Unit next month. Amid many challenges to democracy, our work remains vital. But, gosh, it's daunting to try to fill Meg Russell's shoes! She has been a terrific Director for over a decade, and will be an incredibly hard act to follow.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 4mo ago

We are set to enter a new era on 13 May as @alanrenwick.bsky.social takes over from Meg Russell as our Director. Tom Fleming will become Deputy Director and a new lecturer will join us next year. We can also confirm that our annual conference will happen on 24 and 25 June. Read all about it 👇

On a quick read this looks very welcome indeed. Philip Rycroft will be saying a few words about his review at the @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk annual conference tomorrow.

Alan Renwick@alanrenwick.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Three excellent things have just happened: 1) the Rycroft Review of pol finance has been published 2) govt is implementing key changes with immediate effect 3) those changes got cross-party support in the Commons. Careful scrutiny of the detail will now be essential. www.gov.uk/government/p...

Three excellent things have just happened: 1) the Rycroft Review of pol finance has been published 2) govt is implementing key changes with immediate effect 3) those changes got cross-party support in the Commons. Careful scrutiny of the detail will now be essential. www.gov.uk/government/p...

The Rycroft Review: Report of the independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics

Report of the independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics.

gov.uk

I'm looking forward very much to giving this lecture in Oxford in May - it's a huge privilege to have been asked to do it, and it's a chance for me to explore some questions that have long intrigued me. It would be lovely to see lots of you there!

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 4mo ago

On 5 May, our Deputy Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, will be giving the annual Bingham Lecture in Constitutional Studies. He will discuss the 'Westminster vision' and 'Whitehall vision' of the UK constitution. Find out more about this in-person event 👉 www.alumniweb.ox.ac.uk/balliol/even....

The latest Constitution Unit Monitor, rounding up constitutional developments since November, is now online. It's a bumper edition. Challenges to the established order are growing. The government is pursuing some changes in response. But are they enough?

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 4mo ago

NEW BLOG: Starmer takes small steps forward as democratic challenges mount @alanrenwick.bsky.social & Meg Russell argue the government continues to make small strides in areas such as constitutional standards and electoral reform where bold action to renew the health of democracy is badly needed

*Representation of the People Bill update* Steve Reed has just announced: 'We will repeal in full the power for government to impose a strategy and policy statement on the Electoral Commission'. A very welcome change. I set out last week why it was needed. constitution-unit.com/2026/02/26/t...

The Representation of the People Bill: contours of the debates to come

The government’s long-awaited proposals for electoral reforms, published last month, will receive their first scrutiny in the House of Commons next Monday. Ahead of that debate, Alan Renwick analys…

constitution-unit.com

The @niassembly.bsky.social has produced a briefing paper on public views towards reform of Stormont. It looks at a range of evidence, including my 2023 report 'Perspectives on the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement' co-authored with @alanrenwick.bsky.social at the @conunitucl.bsky.social Links below

Firm but fair criticism from @alanrenwick.bsky.social of the "glaring omission" in the Representation of the People Bill. The independence of the Electoral Commission has been seriously undermined. The government must act to restore it. Read in full @conunitucl.bsky.social 👇 buff.ly/qhmruE3