UCL Constitution Unit

UCL Constitution Unit

@conunitucl.bsky.social

The UK’s leading research centre on constitutional change. Informing policy-making and public debate about the constitution and democracy. Sign up to hear about our blog posts, events and publications 👉 https://mailchi.mp/ucl/constitution-unit.

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UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

The Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill: A short bill to deal with a specific issue If Andy Burnham were to advise the King to appoint a bishop, he could be ‘disabled for ever from holding any office’. @craigprescott.bsky.social explains how this is being remedied. Read 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukThe Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill: A short bill to deal with a specific issueIf Andy Burnham were to advise the King to appoint a bishop, he could be ‘disabled for ever from holding any office’ on the grounds of his Catholic faith. A short bill has now been introduced to remedy this situation. Craig Prescott explains the history behind the restrictions put on Catholics and Jews in public life, and the role of ministers in ecclesiastical appointments.
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UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

The amendment inserts a clause requiring the Secretary of State to establish a military homes standard which must apply to single living accommodation as well as other military housing, and be no lower than the decent homes standard set out under the Housing Act 2004.

UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

The Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill: A short bill to deal with a specific issue If Andy Burnham were to advise the King to appoint a bishop, he could be ‘disabled for ever from holding any office’. @craigprescott.bsky.social explains how this is being remedied. Read 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukThe Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill: A short bill to deal with a specific issueIf Andy Burnham were to advise the King to appoint a bishop, he could be ‘disabled for ever from holding any office’ on the grounds of his Catholic faith. A short bill has now been introduced to remedy this situation. Craig Prescott explains the history behind the restrictions put on Catholics and Jews in public life, and the role of ministers in ecclesiastical appointments.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Why the mental health of politicians is a democratic issue that should not be ignored @jamesweinberg1.bsky.social explains his research on the mental health of parliamentarians in the UK, Canada and South Africa, examining how mental ill-health can impact political decision-making. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukWhy the mental health of politicians is a democratic issue that should not be ignoredJames Weinberg explains his research on the mental health of parliamentarians in the UK, Canada and South Africa. He discusses why the mental health of our politicians matters and how symptoms of mental ill-health can make parliamentarians doubt their decisions more, be more risk averse and more susceptible to framing effects. He also makes recommendations for how the mental health of politicians can be better supported.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Why the mental health of politicians is a democratic issue that should not be ignored @jamesweinberg1.bsky.social explains his research on the mental health of parliamentarians in the UK, Canada and South Africa, examining how mental ill-health can impact political decision-making. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukWhy the mental health of politicians is a democratic issue that should not be ignoredJames Weinberg explains his research on the mental health of parliamentarians in the UK, Canada and South Africa. He discusses why the mental health of our politicians matters and how symptoms of mental ill-health can make parliamentarians doubt their decisions more, be more risk averse and more susceptible to framing effects. He also makes recommendations for how the mental health of politicians can be better supported.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

How should we assess different options for the voting system? This week @robertbuckland.bsky.social and Jess Garland @electoralreform.bsky.social debated electoral reform at our event. They covered the importance of proportionality, the constituency link and much more! Watch 👇️

youtube.comHow should we assess different options for the voting system?We examine the arguments for and against electoral reform with leading speakers Andy Burnham has announced the creation of a national commission on electoral reform, and said that he wants Labour’s…
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Last week we published two expert blog posts, one in favour and one against. First, Sionaidh Douglas-Scott @qmschooloflaw.bsky.social emphasised that a codified constitution could better protect human rights and devolution, and critiqued parliamentary sovereignty as 'a key problem'. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukShould the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case in favourNext week, the House of Lords will debate introducing a written constitution. This is also something that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, discussed over the summer. Sionaidh Douglas-Scott makes the case in favour of the UK adopting a written, or codified, constitution. A second post in this series, making the case against a codified or written constitution, will be published tomorrow.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Second, Lord (Jonathan) Sumption made the case against. He highlighted the inflexibility of a codified constitution and said that it would 'greatly increase the political role of the courts'. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukShould the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case againstNext week, the House of Lords will debate introducing a written constitution. This is also something that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, discussed over the summer. Lord (Jonathan) Sumption makes the case against the UK adopting a written, or codified, constitution. The first post in this series, making the case in favour of a codified or written constitution, was published yesterday.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Why the mental health of politicians is a democratic issue that should not be ignored @jamesweinberg1.bsky.social explains his research on the mental health of parliamentarians in the UK, Canada and South Africa, examining how mental ill-health can impact political decision-making. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukWhy the mental health of politicians is a democratic issue that should not be ignoredJames Weinberg explains his research on the mental health of parliamentarians in the UK, Canada and South Africa. He discusses why the mental health of our politicians matters and how symptoms of mental ill-health can make parliamentarians doubt their decisions more, be more risk averse and more susceptible to framing effects. He also makes recommendations for how the mental health of politicians can be better supported.

UCL Constitution Unit reposted

UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

The Constitution Committee has today published the written evidence submitted to its inquiry on the UK's constitutional safeguards. @lisajames.bsky.social and @alanrenwick.bsky.social broadly considered the different safeguards that exist, from parliament, to government, to the public. Read it 👇️

committees.parliament.ukLisa James and Alan Renwick – Written Evidence (VUC0079)Lisa James and Alan Renwick – Written Evidence (VUC0079)

UCL Constitution Unit reposted

Rick Gaehl
@rickgaehl.bsky.social

I went to this webinar and, if you can spare an hour, I can heartily recommend giving it a watch. It's good to hear some reasoned debate on voting reform.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

How should we assess different options for the voting system? Earlier today, @robertbuckland.bsky.social and Jess Garland @electoralreform.bsky.social debated electoral reform at our event. They covered the importance of proportionality, the constituency link and much more! Watch 👇️

youtube.comHow should we assess different options for the voting system?We examine the arguments for and against electoral reform with leading speakers Andy Burnham has announced the creation of a national commission on electoral reform, and said that he wants Labour’s…
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

How should we assess different options for the voting system? Earlier today, @robertbuckland.bsky.social and Jess Garland @electoralreform.bsky.social debated electoral reform at our event. They covered the importance of proportionality, the constituency link and much more! Watch 👇️

youtube.comHow should we assess different options for the voting system?We examine the arguments for and against electoral reform with leading speakers Andy Burnham has announced the creation of a national commission on electoral reform, and said that he wants Labour’s…

UCL Constitution Unit reposted

Lisa James
@lisajames.bsky.social

Today is referendum day in Alberta, with voters being asked to decide whether to kick off the process for a future referendum on secession from Canada. Here's Leah Trueblood on our blog a few weeks ago - explaining how this came about, and what to make of the 'vote about a vote'. 👇

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

Alberta's democratic experiment Albertans will head to the polls this autumn to vote on whether to hold a referendum on seceding from Canada. Leah Trueblood explains how this 'vote about a vote' came about, and suggests that the approach of the Government of Alberta is worrying. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukAlberta’s democratic experimentAlbertans will head to the polls this autumn to vote on whether to hold a referendum on seceding from Canada. Leah Trueblood explains how this ‘vote about a vote’ came about, why the ‘two vote’ structure is different from that put forward by the Independent Commission on Referendums, and suggests that the approach of the Government of Alberta is actually opposed to both the spirit and substance of the Commission’s recommendations.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Albertans are heading to the polls today to vote on whether to hold a referendum on seceding from Canada. Last month, on our blog, Leah Trueblood explained how this 'vote about a vote' came about, but suggested that the Government of Alberta's approach is worrying. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukAlberta’s democratic experimentAlbertans will head to the polls this autumn to vote on whether to hold a referendum on seceding from Canada. Leah Trueblood explains how this ‘vote about a vote’ came about, why the ‘two vote’ structure is different from that put forward by the Independent Commission on Referendums, and suggests that the approach of the Government of Alberta is actually opposed to both the spirit and substance of the Commission’s recommendations.

UCL Constitution Unit reposted

Lisa James
@lisajames.bsky.social

With a national commission on electoral reform on the horizon, we've written some new explainers on different electoral systems. Want to know your SV from your STV? We have you covered!

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

We have published three brand new explainers on electoral systems! First, what is First Past the Post? This is the electoral system currently used in UK general elections. It is a majoritarian system and there is wide debate over its pros and cons. Find out more 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Should the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case against Ahead of a House of Lords debate next week, and following comments by Andy Burnham in August, Lord (Jonathan) Sumption makes the case against a codified constitution. We have also published a case in favour. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukShould the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case againstNext week, the House of Lords will debate introducing a written constitution. This is also something that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, discussed over the summer. Lord (Jonathan) Sumption makes the case against the UK adopting a written, or codified, constitution. The first post in this series, making the case in favour of a codified or written constitution, was published yesterday.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Should the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case in favour Ahead of a House of Lords debate next week, and following comments by Andy Burnham in August, Sionaidh Douglas-Scott makes the case in favour of a codified constitution. We have also published a case against. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukShould the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case in favourNext week, the House of Lords will debate introducing a codified or written constitution. This is also something that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, discussed over the summer. Sionaidh Douglas-Scott makes the case in favour of the UK adopting codified or written constitution. A second post in this series, making the case against a codified or written constitution, will be published tomorrow.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

What next for House of Lords reform? Retirement and participation requirements have been proposed, but Andy Burnham’s government must couple them with other action Meg Russell reviews the proposals made by the House of Lords Retirement and Participation Committee over the summer. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukWhat next for House of Lords reform? Retirement and participation requirements have been proposed, but Andy Burnham’s government must couple them with other actionLabour’s manifesto made various promises on House of Lords reform. The first – removal of hereditary peers – was completed in May. In July, a committee reported on possible next steps to introduce retirement and participation requirements. Meg Russell reviews these, arguing they only make sense if coupled with government action to regulate prime ministerial appointments. To deal with a chamber that the manifesto states ‘has become too big’ requires control of the ‘way in’ as well as the ‘way out’. Debate by peers in September showed that they agree.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Should the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case against Ahead of a House of Lords debate next week, and following comments by Andy Burnham in August, Lord (Jonathan) Sumption makes the case against a codified constitution. We have also published a case in favour. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukShould the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case againstNext week, the House of Lords will debate introducing a written constitution. This is also something that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, discussed over the summer. Lord (Jonathan) Sumption makes the case against the UK adopting a written, or codified, constitution. The first post in this series, making the case in favour of a codified or written constitution, was published yesterday.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Should the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case in favour Ahead of a House of Lords debate next week, and following comments by Andy Burnham in August, Sionaidh Douglas-Scott makes the case in favour of a codified constitution. We have also published a case against. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukShould the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case in favourNext week, the House of Lords will debate introducing a codified or written constitution. This is also something that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, discussed over the summer. Sionaidh Douglas-Scott makes the case in favour of the UK adopting codified or written constitution. A second post in this series, making the case against a codified or written constitution, will be published tomorrow.

UCL Constitution Unit reposted

Lisa James
@lisajames.bsky.social

The Ethics & Integrity Commission has published its chair's first annual letter to the PM - a stocktake on standards in public life. It's an interesting read: reflections on progress made & things yet to be done, plus details of the EIC's future work 👇 eic.independent-commission.uk/annual-lette...

eic.independent-commission.ukAnnual Letter to the Prime Minister on the health of ethical standards | Ethics and Integrity CommissionThe Ethics and Integrity Commission promotes the highest standards in public life, reports to the Prime Minister on matters concerning ethical standards, and advises public authorities on the developm...
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Should the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case against Ahead of a House of Lords debate next week, and following comments by Andy Burnham in August, Lord (Jonathan) Sumption makes the case against a codified constitution. We published a case in favour yesterday. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukShould the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case againstNext week, the House of Lords will debate introducing a written constitution. This is also something that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, discussed over the summer. Lord (Jonathan) Sumption makes the case against the UK adopting a written, or codified, constitution. The first post in this series, making the case in favour of a codified or written constitution, was published yesterday.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

What next for House of Lords reform? Retirement and participation requirements have been proposed, but Andy Burnham’s government must couple them with other action Meg Russell reviews the proposals made by the House of Lords Retirement and Participation Committee over the summer. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukWhat next for House of Lords reform? Retirement and participation requirements have been proposed, but Andy Burnham’s government must couple them with other actionLabour’s manifesto made various promises on House of Lords reform. The first – removal of hereditary peers – was completed in May. In July, a committee reported on possible next steps to introduce retirement and participation requirements. Meg Russell reviews these, arguing they only make sense if coupled with government action to regulate prime ministerial appointments. To deal with a chamber that the manifesto states ‘has become too big’ requires control of the ‘way in’ as well as the ‘way out’. Debate by peers in September showed that they agree.

UCL Constitution Unit reposted

UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Should the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case in favour Ahead of a House of Lords debate next week, and following comments by Andy Burnham in August, Sionaidh Douglas-Scott makes the case in favour of a codified constitution. We will publish a case against tomorrow. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukShould the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case in favourNext week, the House of Lords will debate introducing a codified or written constitution. This is also something that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, discussed over the summer. Sionaidh Douglas-Scott makes the case in favour of the UK adopting codified or written constitution. A second post in this series, making the case against a codified or written constitution, will be published tomorrow.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Should the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case in favour Ahead of a House of Lords debate next week, and following comments by Andy Burnham in August, Sionaidh Douglas-Scott makes the case in favour of a codified constitution. We will publish a case against tomorrow. Read it 👇️

blogs.ucl.ac.ukShould the UK adopt a codified or written constitution? The case in favourNext week, the House of Lords will debate introducing a codified or written constitution. This is also something that the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, discussed over the summer. Sionaidh Douglas-Scott makes the case in favour of the UK adopting codified or written constitution. A second post in this series, making the case against a codified or written constitution, will be published tomorrow.
UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social

Is democracy declining? What do citizens think? Has anywhere stemmed or reversed backsliding? Earlier today, @clandwehr.bsky.social, Seema Shah @internationalidea.bsky.social and Jan Teorell @vdeminstitute.bsky.social discussed the health of democracy. Listen 👉️ linktr.ee/constitution.... Watch 👇️

youtube.comThe health of democracy in 2026Recent years have seen widespread concern about the erosion of democratic norms and institutions around the world. This webinar will explore the latest evidence about the health of democracy in 2026.…