XClose

Department of Political Science

Home
Menu

Priorities for the new UK Government: Accountability in British Politics

28 November 2024, 6:15 pm–7:30 pm

Three Pillars of Accountability in British Politics

Leading experts speak as part of our Policy & Practice seminar series. Free to attend and open to all.

This event is free.

Event Information

Open to

All

Availability

Yes

Cost

Free

Organiser

Eleanor Kingwell-Banham – UCL Political Science

Location

G.06
Institute of Archaeology
31-34 Gordon Sq
London
WC1H 0PY
United Kingdom

 

A new government has been in power in Westminster since July. In our Policy & Practice miniseries, Priorities for the new UK Government, we will explore key issues on which the Government is—or ought to be—focusing its attention. Tonight we explore an issue that lies at the heart of the relationship between the government and its citizens: accountability. Trust in politics and politicians is at an all-time low. Scandals and corruption in British politics appear to be rife. Are there sufficient processes and institutions in place to hold politicians and governments to account? Should they be strengthened, and if so, how? In this event, we will hear from three speakers with a wealth of experience across three of the most important pillars of accountability in British politics: Parliamentary select committees; Ombudsmen; and the media. 


Meet the speakers

Sir Rob Behrens was the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman between 2017 and 2024. Prior to this, he held roles including Complaints Commissioner at the Bar Standards Board, Secretary to the Committee on Standards in Public Life, and Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (Office of the Independent Adjudicator) in England and Wales. 

Greg Clark is the Executive Chair of Warwick University’s Warwick Innovation District and a former politician. During his time as an MP, he held various ministerial portfolios, most notably having been the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy under Theresa May’s premiership. After returning to the backbenches, he served as the Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee between 2020 and 2024. 

Kitty Donaldson is the Chief Political Commentator at the i newspaper. Prior to this, she covered politics and the House of Commons for Bloomberg nearly two decades, first as a Political Correspondent, then as UK Political Editor. 

Chair: Prof. Robert Hazell is Professor of Government and the Constitution in the UCL Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy. 

 


A close up of a video camera with a LED screen showing that it is focussed on a speaker. The speaker and crowd appear blurred in the background
Recording

This event will be recorded and the video will be uploaded to our YouTube channel.

You can subscribe to our YouTube channel to be alerted when the recording is uploaded.



Accessibility

  • The corridor outside the lecture theatre(s) is sufficiently wide enough (150cm+) to allow wheelchair users to pass.
  • There is step free access into the lecture theatre(s).
  • The door opening width(s) is/are 75cm+ for the lecture theatre(s).
  • There are designated spaces for wheelchair users within the lecture theatre(s), located at the back.
  • There is level access to the designated seating from an entrance.
  • There is space for an assistance dog.
  • There is a hearing assistance system for the lecture theatre(s).
  • There is not a visual fire alarm beacon in the lecture theatre(s).

For more accessiblity info and an access guide please visit Accessable


 

This event is co-organised with UCL Constitution Unit

The Constitution Unit conducts timely, rigorous, independent research into constitutional change and the reform of political institutions. Our research has significant real-world impact, informing policy-makers engaged in such changes – both in the United Kingdom and around the world.

 

Other events in this series