Matthew England
@matthewengland.bsky.social
Researcher at Hansard Society. Parliament; constitutions; delegated legislation.
Good letter from Chi Onwurah seeking clarification about the split of DSIT’s responsibilities. The fact that there is still little clarity about the split is concerning, but it is a silver lining that the committee’s really good work will be continuing committees.parliament.uk/publications...
committees.parliament.uk
Our first post: What happens when Parliament passes a law, but it never comes into force? Prisoner-release rules and social care costs show why Royal Assent is not always the end of the story. Read below🔽 www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications...
🚨 NEW: Legislation Watch Our new rolling blog will track the issues shaping how laws are made at Westminster, and what needs to change to make the legislative process more effective. 🔽
🎙️ NEW: This week on Parliament Matters... 👥 Who is the new Chief Whip @anneliese_midge? 🏛️ How do the ministerial changes affect Select Committees? 🏢 @jonmdavis.bsky.social on Whitehall shake-ups 📚 Plus, our summer recess political book recommendations. Links in next post 👇
🧵The House of Commons administration plans to abolish its world leading parliamentary outreach team. @aileenwalker.bsky.social & @estrangeirada.bsky.social explain why cutting in person public engagement across the UK in favour of digital only engagement is a mistake. Blog 🔗⬇️
🧵 Amid all the speculation about Nigel Farage's 2pm statement, it's worth noting paragraph 40 of the Procedural Protocol to the MPs' Code of Conduct. If he announces he's resigning and seeking a by-election, that would not automatically end the investigation into whether he breached the Code in...
This is the single greatest opportunity for constitutional reform in our lifetime. One of ours is about to get into Downing Street. That never happens. iandunt.substack.com/p/finally-so...
10 years on from the Brexit referendum, questions of parliamentary scrutiny remain central as the UK considers dynamic alignment with EU rules. Our recent evidence sets out how Parliament can best secure meaningful scrutiny and influence. 🔽 www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications...
Dynamic alignment with EU rules - Our evidence to the House of Lords European Affairs Committee
Our evidence on dynamic alignment with EU rules has been published by the House of Lords European Affairs Committee. Our submission looks at the possible forms that dynamic alignment might take, the…
hansardsociety.org.uk
Excellent explainer by @matthewengland.bsky.social on why it is incorrect to claim that MPs cannot propose changes to the assisted dying bill if they use the Parliament Acts to pass it. There is a special 'suggested amendments' process just for this - though it would need Commons time.
Matthew England@matthewengland.bsky.social · 2mo agoBLOG (17 June 2026) | Must MPs choose between improving the assisted dying bill and using the Parliament Act? www.hansardsociety.org.uk/blog/assiste...
BLOG (17 June 2026) | Must MPs choose between improving the assisted dying bill and using the Parliament Act? www.hansardsociety.org.uk/blog/assiste...
Must MPs choose between improving the assisted dying bill and using the Parliament Act?
If the assisted dying bill is to be enacted using the Parliament Act, the House of Commons must pass exactly the same text that it approved in the previous session, even if MPs and peers alike believe...
hansardsociety.org.uk
The assisted dying bill is coming back, but it's a long way from Royal Assent. Our recent guide looks at what might lie ahead for the Bill, and how (assuming it's the same Bill) the Parliament Act procedures might apply to a Private Members' Bill. www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications...
The assisted dying bill: How could the Parliament Act be used?
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – the bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales – fell at the close of the 2024-2026 parliamentary session, after running out of time in the Hou...
hansardsociety.org.uk
Paul Brand@paulbrand.bsky.social · 2mo agoNEW: The Assisted Dying Bill is returning to Parliament this week. Labour MP Lauren Edwards will reintroduce it on Wednesday after coming 2nd in the private members’ ballot. “The process has been frustrated by a small minority”, she argues.
The Government has tabled the motion naming this session's 13 sitting Fridays for Private Member's Bills. 4 September 11 September 16 October 13 November 27 November 4 December 15 January (2027) 29 January 5 February 26 February 5 March 12 March 19 March
EVIDENCE | Dynamic alignment with EU rules We recently submitted evidence to @LordsEUCom examining the constitutional and parliamentary implications of dynamic alignment with EU law, in anticipation of the EU Reset Bill. Read our submission below 🔽 www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications...
Dynamic alignment with EU rules - Our evidence to the House of Lords European Affairs Committee
Our evidence on dynamic alignment with EU rules has been published by the House of Lords European Affairs Committee. Our submission looks at the possible forms that dynamic alignment might take, the…
hansardsociety.org.uk
PODCAST | The £5m question: Who funds our politicians? In our latest episode, we are joined by @duncanhames.bsky.social of @transparencyuk.bsky.social to discuss whether the current transparency regime is working and the merits of a cap on donations. www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam...
Whatever the political drama, Parliament still needs a new session, the King needs to read the Speech, and the constitutional machinery must roll on. Our guide explains the traditions & procedures behind tomorrow’s State Opening and King’s Speech.👇 www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications...
'Can the assisted dying bill be brought back? It’s possible – but supporters face four challenges' New piece by me for @uk.theconversation.com on the assisted dying bill in the new parliamentary session (starts Weds) - including use of the Parliament Acts. theconversation.com/can-the-assi...
Can the assisted dying bill be brought back? It’s possible – but supporters face four challenges
There are said to be around 200 MPs who are willing to reintroduce it as a private member’s bill.
theconversation.com
What chance do supporters of assisted dying have of reviving the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill? Their bill lapsed when parliament was prorogued at the end of last month. But could they now use the Parliament Act 1911 to bypass the House of Lords? rozenberg.substack.com/p/assisted-d...
Assisted dying revived?
Not easy without government support
rozenberg.substack.com
BRIEFING | Assisted dying bill: How could the Parliament Act be used? With a new session next week, there is much speculation about the assisted dying bill's return and the potential use of the Parliament Act. Our new briefing looks at the procedures and challenges involved. 🧵
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 agoWe 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 👇
Meg has been a tremendous force for both public understanding of Parliament and constitutional reform. I'm sure the Unit will continue to thrive in Alan and Tom's capable hands!
UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 4mo agoWe 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 👇
Later today the Procedure Committee is hearing from a Conservative Shadow Minister and the Lib Dem Chief Whip on Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs). The Hansard Society submitted evidence to this inquiry – here’s what we found 🧵 www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications...
Written Parliamentary Questions - Our evidence to the House of Commons Procedure Committee
The use of Written Parliamentary Questions (WPQs) is rising sharply. Since July 2024, MPs have tabled questions at unprecedented levels. By late 2025 MPs were tabling over 600 per sitting day, more…
hansardsociety.org.uk
oh, because we have an uncodified but in many ways pretty effective constitution, hope that helps
Politics UK@politicsuk.com · 5mo ago🚨 WATCH: Donald Trump criticises Keir Starmer's leadership style "He told me 'I'm meeting with my team to make a determination'. I said, 'You don't need to meet with a team. You're the PM... Why do you need to meet with your team to find out whether or not to send some boats?"
NEW BRIEFING | The risks of consigning online safety law to delegated legislation Our latest briefing examines two late-stage government amendments, giving Ministers significant powers to reshape online safety legislation. 🔽 www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications...
Labour's Representation of the People Bill gets its first proper debate in the Commons today. Here's what's in it, via the Hansard Society
NEW EPISODE: What happens when you defy the party whip? Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan joins us to reflect on rebelling over Winter Fuel Allowance cuts, being suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party, and calling on Keir Starmer to resign. 🎙️Listen now - links in post below 👇
Had a fabulous time at the @studyofparl.bsky.social Oxford Weekend!! They say never meet your heroes but I did :p Can't wait for next time, fellow Parliament nerds!
Which civilians play the most important roles in controlling the armed forces? This Thursday, join @plagasse.bsky.social, Dominic Grieve and @profveronika.bsky.social to discuss Philippe Lagassé's new book, Overseen or Overlooked? Legislators, Armed Forces, and Democratic Accountability. Sign up 👇
Legislative Oversight of the Armed Forces
Which civilians play the most important roles in controlling the armed forces?
ucl.ac.uk
In a world of rising instability, with ministers and military leaders warning of growing conflict risks, parliamentary oversight of the armed forces is more vital than ever. This event with international expert @plagasse.bsky.social will be interesting. Sign up 👇
UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social · 9mo agoWhich civilians play the most important roles in controlling the armed forces? This Thursday, join @plagasse.bsky.social, Dominic Grieve and @profveronika.bsky.social to discuss Philippe Lagassé's new book, Overseen or Overlooked? Legislators, Armed Forces, and Democratic Accountability. Sign up 👇
If we can’t even talk in general terms about MPs’ workload- which MPs of all parties agree is v casework- heavy and getting heavier- without a lot of responses being to assume that MPs are not telling the truth/just whinging/ working on the wrong things etc- then I think we’re in a bad place
MONDAY: What's coming up in Parliament today? 🕵️ Ministerial Statement on China spying case 🏥 General debate on baby loss 👮 Peers debate Border Security Bill 🏠 Housing Secretary faces questions from MPs Read more below 🔽 buff.ly/fKNzlVM