Time to make lobbying more transparent

The Ethics and Integrity Commission has published a report on how to reform how lobbying of government is regulated, reported and monitored. Peter Riddell welcomes many of the findings and recommendations, and urges Andy Burnham to legislate to implement as many of the report's recommendations as possible, preferably in a broader bill that seeks to make large scale reforms to the wider standards regime. 

blogs.ucl.ac.uk

Time to make lobbying more transparent

The Ethics and Integrity Commission has published a report on how to reform how lobbying of government is regulated, reported and monitored. Peter Riddell welcomes many of the findings and recommendations, and urges Andy Burnham to legislate to implement as many of the report's recommendations as possible, preferably in a broader bill that seeks to make large scale reforms to the wider standards regime. 

blogs.ucl.ac.uk

Time to make lobbying more transparent

The Ethics and Integrity Commission has published a report on how to reform how lobbying of government is regulated, reported and monitored. Peter Riddell welcomes many of the findings and recommendations, and urges Andy Burnham to legislate to implement as many of the report's recommendations as possible, preferably in a broader bill that seeks to make large scale reforms to the wider standards regime. 

blogs.ucl.ac.uk

Times of transition: Starmer’s record and Burnham’s agenda

The past four months have seen nationally important by-elections, local elections in England, national elections in Scotland and Wales, and Keir Starmer's resignation. In this post, which replicates the lead article of the latest issue of Monitor, Alan Renwick and Tom Fleming reflect on the constitutional successes and failures of the Starmer government, and look ahead to what a Burnham government might bring for the constitution.

blogs.ucl.ac.uk

Times of transition: Starmer’s record and Burnham’s agenda

The past four months have seen nationally important by-elections, local elections in England, national elections in Scotland and Wales, and Keir Starmer's resignation. In this post, which replicates the lead article of the latest issue of Monitor, Alan Renwick and Tom Fleming reflect on the constitutional successes and failures of the Starmer government, and look ahead to what a Burnham government might bring for the constitution.

blogs.ucl.ac.uk

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

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

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

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

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

Revising the Cabinet Manual: why the timetable is tight for publication in early 2027

Peter Riddell’s blog on 5 June welcomed the government’s change of heart in deciding to revise and update the Cabinet Manual, and outlined some of the key issues involved. This post by Robert Hazell explores in greater depth the process to be followed by the Cabinet Office in trying to ensure the manual enjoys the widest possible level of support. A third post (to be published next week) will analyse some of the difficult questions which will need to be addressed in terms of the manual’s substantive content.

blogs.ucl.ac.uk

The Constitution under Labour: Constitution Unit Conference 2026

This online conference will take stock of recent constitutional developments, and look ahead, with a range of senior speakers including parliamentarians, academics, and commentators.

ucl.ac.uk

Meg Russell contributes to popular new book on the Brexit Effect

Meg Russell has written a chapter on 'The Debate in Parliament, 2016–19' in Anthony Seldon’s new book The Brexit Effect, 2016–2026.

ucl.ac.uk

Revising the Cabinet Manual: why the timetable is tight for publication in early 2027

Peter Riddell’s blog on 5 June welcomed the government’s change of heart in deciding to revise and update the Cabinet Manual, and outlined some of the key issues involved. This post by Robert Hazell explores in greater depth the process to be followed by the Cabinet Office in trying to ensure the manual enjoys the widest possible level of support. A third post (to be published next week) will analyse some of the difficult questions which will need to be addressed in terms of the manual’s substantive content.

blogs.ucl.ac.uk

The government is right to update the Cabinet Manual – wide consultation can help it do so

This week, the Prime Minister announced that the Cabinet Manual will be updated. In this post, Peter Riddell welcomes this news, explains the background, and discusses some of the challenges that drafters will face – arguing that wide consultation can help resolve these dilemmas.

blogs.ucl.ac.uk

The government is right to update the Cabinet Manual – wide consultation can help it do so

This week, the Prime Minister announced that the Cabinet Manual will be updated. In this post, Peter Riddell welcomes this news, explains the background, and discusses some of the challenges that drafters will face – arguing that wide consultation can help resolve these dilemmas.

blogs.ucl.ac.uk

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

The Mandelson scandal is yet another reminder that the standards regime needs a legislative overhaul

The revelations about the process by which Peter Mandelson was appointed to serve as Ambassador to the United States of America have once again raised questions about the suitability of the UK’s standards regime. Peter Riddell argues that ministers must be proactive, seeking to future proof the system through legislation, rather than reactively asking for reviews and tinkering with the rules when flaws in the system are exposed.

constitution-unit.com

The Mandelson scandal is another reminder that the standards regime needs a legislative overhaul

The revelations about the process by which Peter Mandelson was appointed to serve as Ambassador to the United States of America have once again raised questions about the suitability of the UK’s standards regime. Peter Riddell argues that ministers must be proactive, seeking to future proof the system through legislation, rather than reactively asking for reviews and tinkering with the rules when flaws in the system are exposed.

constitution-unit.com

Demystifying the UK honours system

The UK awards hundreds of honours each year to mark notable achievements and contributions to society. These awards – such as knighthoods, damehoods, and OBEs – can be a source of pride and a cause…

the-constitution-unit.simplecast.com

The Ethics and Integrity Commission: a good start, but more is needed

On 13 October the government launched the new Ethics and Integrity Commission, which supersedes the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL). Peter Riddell and Robert Hazell welcome the creation of the new body, but say that it will need stronger membership, more staff and resources, and a statutory foundation.

constitution-unit.com

The government's proposed standards reforms are a promising start, but there should be more to come

Peter Riddell welcomes the reforms, but argues that legislation would enhance further action should be taken before the end of the current parliament.

constitution-unit.com