How to be an effective opposition

The Constitution Unit

#Society #News #Government #Constitutional #House Of Lords #Political Science #Constitution Unit #UK Politics #Parliament #Politics

18:09

HR is no longer just about managing people—it’s about shaping the future of work. Jens Baier, BCG’s HR transformation expert, discusses how AI and shifting employee expectations are forcing companies to rethink talent strategies. From re-recruiting to upskilling employees, HR must adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. Learn More: Jens Baier: https://on.bcg.com/41ca7Gv BCG on People Strategy: https://on.bcg.com/3QtAjro Decoding Global Talent: https://on.bcg.com/4gUC4IT…

hace un año 1:13:58

MP3•Episodio en casa

Baroness (Kate) Fall – former Deputy Chief of Staff to David Cameron, and Conservative peer
Professor Marc Stears – former chief speechwriter to the Labour Party, and Director of the UCL Policy Lab
Dr Nigel Fletcher – co-founder of the Centre for Opposition Studies

Chair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit

Links:

Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit

Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list

Blog: constitution-unit.com

84 episodios

The Constitution Unit

How to be an effective opposition

The Constitution Unit

24 subscribers

published hace un año

MP3•Episodio en casa

Speakers:

Baroness (Kate) Fall – former Deputy Chief of Staff to David Cameron, and Conservative peer
Professor Marc Stears – former chief speechwriter to the Labour Party, and Director of the UCL Policy Lab
Dr Nigel Fletcher – co-founder of the Centre for Opposition Studies

Chair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit

Links:

Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit

Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list

Blog: constitution-unit.com

84 episodios

#Society #News #Government #Constitutional #House Of Lords #Political Science #Constitution Unit #UK Politics #Parliament #Politics

Todos los episodios

The Constitution Unit

1
The Politics of Parliamentary Reform 34:32

hace 23 días34:32

34:32

Parliament is at the heart of democracy—it’s where voters are represented, laws are debated, and key decisions are made. But who really controls what gets discussed and how time is allocated? In the UK, that power lies overwhelmingly with the government, leaving most MPs with little say over what they debate. That seems odd—after all, parliament is supposed to be sovereign. So why does it allow the government, a supposedly subordinate body, to set its agenda? To unravel this, Prof Alan Renwick is joined by Dr Tom Fleming , Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics at UCL and a member of the UCL Constitution Unit . Mentioned in this episode: Fleming, Thomas G., Simon Hix and Radoslaw Zubek. 2024. “ The Origins of Centralized Agenda Control at Westminster: Consensus or Controversy?” Legislative Studies Quarterly The controversial origins of centralised agenda control at Westminster. Constitution Unit Blog Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
Making a success of votes at 16 1:16:24

hace 29 días1:16:24

1:16:24

The Labour government has committed to lowering the voting age for Westminster elections from 18 to 16. This proposal raises a number of questions for policymakers to consider. What might be the consequences of widening the franchise in this way? What practical steps will be required to implement this change and – just as importantly – to ensure it works well? In particular, how might teaching about politics in schools need to change? And what can be learned from other elections, in the UK and beyond, in which 16 and 17 year olds are able to vote? An expert panel discusses these questions. Speakers: Liz Moorse – CEO of the Association for Citizenship Teaching Dr Christine Huebner – Lecturer in Quantitative Social Sciences, University of Sheffield Marcus Flucker – Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Angus South Chair : Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
Improving election discourse in the UK 1:14:53

hace 11 weeks1:14:53

1:14:53

This year’s UK general election saw a range of concerns about the quality of election discourse. Alongside evidence of many candidates facing abuse and intimidation, the campaign also saw the spread – particularly online – of misinformation and disinformation. Meanwhile, Labour and the Conservatives were accused of a ‘conspiracy of silence’ about the costing of party manifesto pledges, and voters faced difficulties knowing where to turn for trustworthy sources of information. These challenges all threaten to undermine the UK’s democratic process. So how can they be tackled? This webinar will bring together experts from the Electoral Commission, Full Fact, and the Jo Cox Civility Commission to discuss options for practical solutions. Speakers: Michela Palese – Head of Policy, Electoral Commission Chris Morris – CEO, Full Fact Hannah Phillips – Manager, Jo Cox Civility Commission Chair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
How to be an effective opposition 1:13:58

hace 16 weeks1:13:58

1:13:58

Opposition parties play a crucial role in parliamentary democracy, scrutinising the government and putting forward alternative policies. But what makes opposition parties effective, both inside parliament and beyond? As the Conservative Party announced its new leader, this expert panel with first-hand experience of life in opposition discussed the task facing them and the other opposition parties. Speakers: Baroness (Kate) Fall – former Deputy Chief of Staff to David Cameron, and Conservative peer Professor Marc Stears – former chief speechwriter to the Labour Party, and Director of the UCL Policy Lab Dr Nigel Fletcher – co-founder of the Centre for Opposition Studies Chair : Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
How to be an effective select committee chair 1:09:36

hace 18 weeks1:09:36

1:09:36

This autumn the House of Commons has elected a raft of new select committee chairs who will play an important role in holding the government to account over the coming years. But there are many ways to chair a select committee, and new chairs will need to think carefully about what they want to achieve and how to go about it. This webinar brings together three senior former MPs and select committee chairs to discuss their experiences, and their reflections on how to use the role most effectively. Speakers: Baroness (Margaret) Hodge of Barking – former chair of the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, Labour peer, and former Labour MP Sir Charles Walker – former chair of the House of Commons Procedure Committee and Administration Committee, and former Conservative MP Joanna Cherry KC – former chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights and former SNP MP Chair: Lisa James – Senior Research Fellow at the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
Prospects for the House of Commons Modernisation Committee 1:14:44

hace 24 weeks1:14:44

1:14:44

The House of Commons has established a new Modernisation Committee with a remit ‘to consider reforms to House of Commons procedures, standards, and working practices’. This reflects a Labour manifesto commitment, and echoes the Modernisation Committee appointed in 1997 under the last Labour government. As the committee gets up and running this autumn, it faces a number of important questions. How should it approach its work, what issues might it address, and what lessons can it learn from past efforts to reform the Commons? We discussed these questions with an expert panel. Speakers: Greg Power – former special adviser to two Leaders of the House of Commons, and Founder and Board Chair of Global Partners Governance Dr Sue Griffiths – Clerk to the previous House of Commons Modernisation Committee 2007–08, and Managing Director of Social Development Direct Dr Tom Fleming – Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics, Constitution Unit Chair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit Useful reading: Commons Modernisation Committee publishes key strategic aims for reform The House of Commons Modernisation Committee: background, opportunities, and potential pitfalls by Tom Fleming and Hannah Kelly The personal side of parliamentary reform by Greg Power For those interested in keeping up to date with the Modernisation Committee, you can subscribe to its email list using this link . Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
Constitution Unit Conference 2024: House of Lords reform 1:12:50

hace 35 weeks1:12:50

1:12:50

The composition and role of the House of Lords are subject to frequent question. Since the last major change by a Labour government in 1999, proposals for further reform have ranged from wholesale change – e.g. creating an elected second chamber of the nations and regions – to smaller alterations to change the appointments system or to limit the chamber’s size. To what extent should a new government prioritise House of Lords reform, and what specifically should be the priorities? If the Conservatives lose office, what challenges might be posed by their still being the largest single group in the upper chamber? Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
Constitution Unit Conference 2024: Rule of law 1:12:43

hace 35 weeks1:12:43

1:12:43

The role of courts and judges has been controversial in recent years, with criticism of both domestic judges and the European Court of Human Rights. Several government bills have raised difficult questions about the respective roles of government, parliament, and the courts. Has the rule of law been undermined by recent trends in policymaking or political discourse? If so, what should be done to bolster and protect it in the future? Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
Constitution Unit Conference 2024: Devolution within England 1:14:15

hace 35 weeks1:14:15

1:14:15

The last two decades have seen major changes in the structure of sub-national government within England, with the gradual devolution of powers to a range of new mayors and combined authorities. How should this patchwork of devolution be built upon? Should structures be more consistent across the country? Should further powers be devolved, and – if so – to whom? What steps are required to ensure that this devolved power faces appropriate scrutiny and accountability? Speakers: Professor Tony Travers – Director of LSE London and Visiting Professor at the LSE Professor Joanie Willett – Associate Professor in Politics and Co-Director of the Institute of Cornish Studies, University of Exeter Akash Paun – Programme Director, Institute for Government Ed Cox – Executive Director for Strategy, Economy and Net Zero at the West Midlands Combined Authority Chair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
Constitution Unit Conference 2024: Standards in government and parliament 1:12:45

hace 35 weeks1:12:45

1:12:45

The 2019–24 parliament has been dogged by complaints of low standards of conduct by our politicians. Rishi Sunak has committed to upholding the ideals of ‘integrity, professionalism, and accountability’, while Labour has promised to overhaul how standards are regulated in government and parliament. What are the priorities in this area for a new government to address? Does this require cultural changes, institutional reforms, or both? Which changes or reforms might be most effective? Speakers: Dominic Grieve KC – Chair of the UK Governance Project, former Attorney General and Conservative MP Peter Riddell – former Commissioner for Public Appointments, Director of the Institute for Government and journalist Tim Durrant – Programme Director, Institute for Government Chair: Professor Meg Russell FBA – Director of the Constitution Unit Episode links: The joint statement on standards Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
Opinion Polls 54:18

hace 37 weeks54:18

54:18

The podcast originally appeared on 'Uncovering Politics' from UCL's Department of Political Science. In the run up to the UK General Election we have a special episode on opinion polls. Opinion polling is a staple of modern elections, captivating political enthusiasts with fluctuating numbers but also sparking controversy. Polls are sometimes criticized for inaccuracies, notably in the Brexit referendum and the 2016 US presidential election. Polling methods, including sampling and voter prediction, are hotly debated. The emergence of MRP polls, which accurately estimated results in the 2017 UK election, has added to the intrigue, despite producing widely varying predictions for the outcome of the current UK election. So what should we make of the polls? And how can we best interpret all the numbers to understand what’s really going on? Our guest is Prof Ben Lauderdale . Ben is Professor of Political Science here at UCL, a former Senior Data Science Advisor to the polling firm YouGov, the original brain behind the development of MRP methods and general polling guru. UCL’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of all fields of politics, including international relations, political theory, human rights, public policy-making and administration. The Department is recognised for its world-class research and policy impact, ranking among the top departments in the UK on both the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and the latest Guardian rankings. Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
Priorities for new MPs' induction in the next parliament 1:15:21

hace 38 weeks1:15:21

1:15:21

Whatever the result of the upcoming general election, a large number of new MPs will enter the House of Commons. A well-designed induction programme will be crucial for helping them to find their feet and become effective parliamentarians. So what do new MPs need to know about their roles in parliament and beyond? How might this differ from in the past, and how might such induction best be delivered? We discussed these questions with experts from the Hansard Society and Institute for Government, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, and a former MP. Speakers Dr Ruth Fox – Director of the Hansard Society Dr Hannah White – Director of the Institute for Government Daniel Greenberg – Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Alistair Burt – former Conservative MP and minister Chair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
Changes and challenges in regulating elections 1:12:58

hace 44 weeks1:12:58

1:12:58

Recent years have seen many changes to election regulations in the UK. These changes affect key aspects of how elections are fought and administered, including party spending, voter identification, the voting rights of citizens living abroad, and the electoral system used to elect mayors and police and crime commissioners. So what has changed, what effects might these changes have, and what challenges do they present for parties, candidates, and electoral administrators? An expert panel discussed these questions a week before the 2 May local elections. Speakers Laura Lock – Deputy Chief Executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators Lord (Paul) Tyler – Liberal Democrat peer and former MP, co-author of the 2023 book Can Parliament Take Back Control? Professor Alistair Clark – Professor of Political Science, Newcastle University Chair : Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit Read a briefing from the Hansard Society on general election rules and regulations: https://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/publications/briefings/general-election-rules-and-regulations . Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
Should military action require parliamentary approval? 1:13:43

hace 46 weeks1:13:43

1:13:43

The UK’s recent air strikes on the Houthis in Yemen have renewed discussion about parliament’s role in approving military action. The government is not constitutionally required to consult parliament on military deployments, and can choose whether and when to seek MPs’ approval. So what is parliament’s current role? Should this be changed, as some opposition parties have suggested? If so, what are some of the possibilities and challenges? In this webinar, an expert panel discuss parliament’s current role, and whether reform is desirable or feasible. Speakers: David Lidington – Chair of the Royal United Services Institute, former Conservative MP for Aylesbury, and former Minister for the Cabinet Office, Lord Chancellor, and Leader of the House of Commons Dr Veronika Fikfak – Associate Professor in International Law, University College London Dr James Strong – Senior Lecturer in British Politics and Foreign Policy, Queen Mary University of London Chair: Lisa James – Research Fellow, Constitution Unit Diagram of parliamentary war convention Useful reading: How might Keir Starmer codify his Prevention of Military Intervention Act? by Robert Hazell Parliament’s Secret War by Veronika Fikfak and Hayley J. Hooper The war powers of the British parliament: What has been established, and what remains unclear? by James Strong Links: Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list Blog: constitution-unit.com…

The Constitution Unit

1
Do protests affect what politicians say? 32:56

hace 50 weeks32:56