News
Latest news, updates and announcements from The Constitution Unit
Meg Russell gives evidence to the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee
Meg Russell & Tony Wright give evidence to Procedure Committee about Public Bill Committees
The first witnesses were the Unit's Meg Russell (lead author of the report), along with Professor Tony Wright (also of the School of Public Policy, UCL, and a former MP and chair of the Reform of the House of Commons committee 2009-10). The session made extensive reference to the report and its recommendations, discussing issues such as how members of public bill committees are chosen (and suggestions that the Committee of Selection might be reformed, and/or its proposals be put to the chamber for approval), and the merits of larger-scale reform such as moving towards permanent, specialist legislation committees of the kind that exist in many other parliaments.
The session can be watched here
Press Release: Commons bill committees 'left behind', says Constitution Unit report
Press Release: Constitution Unit report to call for reform of Commons legislation committees
Dr Bob Morris in the News - Prince Charles and Charities
The Independent - Charities fear funding crisis after accession of Charles to throne (02/06/2013)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/charities-fear-funding-crisis-after-accession-of-charles-to-throne-8641428.html
Unit in the News - May 2013
• Why the Queen will never step aside – Daily Telegraph (11 May)
Press Release: Lord O'Donnell Delieverd his Inaugural Speech on 24th April 2013
Lord O’Donnell delivered his inaugural lecture last night (24 April) in UCL Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre, Wilkins Building, UCL. The text of the lecture can now be viewed on the link below.
Press Release: Inaugural Lecture by the former Cabinet Secretary Lord (Gus) O’Donnell
Professor Robert Hazell comments on Baroness Thatcher's funeral
VIDEOS: Dr Ruth Levitt & Stephen Boys Smith on Expertise and Policy: the Rise of the Government "Tsar
Summer Internship applications now open for July 2013
Dr James Melton's Grant on Constitutional Excerpts Project Has Been Awarded
Book review on The Politics of Coalition
Video: What Place for the Referendum in the UK?
One difficulty with the referendum is that the question is decided by the politicians, not by the voters. The questionthat the voters wish to answer may not be on the ballot paper. In 2011, survey evidence indicated that the favoured option for most electoral reformers was proportional representation, not the alternative vote. Yet that option was not on the ballot paper. In Scotland, survey evidence indicates that further devolution is the favoured option rather than the status quo or independence. Yet that option is not to be on the ballot paper. On Europe. David Cameron proposes a referendum on renegotiated terms of membership, but survey evidence indicates that people favour an in/out referendum. Some means, therefore, should be found for taking the referendum out of the hands of the politicians.

