Dr Patrick Thomas

Patrick is Senior Research Fellow at the Constitution Unit, leading a project on ‘Developing Detailed Plans for the Constitutional Policy Implementation under the Next Government’, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust. Patrick joined the Constitution Unit from the House of Commons where he was the Constitution Specialist for the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC). In this role he was the main source of constitutional expertise and advice as well as providing knowledge and support to the House of Commons Service more widely.

Patrick has a broad and detailed knowledge of the UK constitution and of both the politics and practicalities of policy implementation. His work for PACAC covered areas including: devolution; the governance of England; House of Lords reform; electoral law; prerogative power; the role and function of the House of Commons; scrutiny of international agreements; balance between the legislature, executive and judiciary; and the place of convention and practice in the UK political system. Patrick was also the lead Commons official in the establishment and running of the inter-Parliamentary Forum (IPF).

Patrick was also recently the Consultant Constitution Specialist to the Institute for Government and Bennett Institute Review of the UK Constitution.