The Johnson government's constitutional reform agenda: prospects and challenges

Listen to the recording

The Conservatives’ 2019 manifesto commits the new government ‘to look at the broader aspects of our constitution: the relationship between the government, parliament and the courts; the functioning of the Royal Prerogative; the role of the House of Lords; and access to justice for ordinary people’. There were also specific commitments: to update the Human Rights Act; to ensure that judicial review is not abused; and to set up a Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission.

Two Conservative experts discuss how the new government might implement this agenda, the obstacles it might face, and how they could be overcome. 

Speakers:

• Lord (Andrew) Dunlop, member of the House of Lords Constitution Committee and former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Chris White, former Special Adviser to Conservative Cabinet Ministers William Hague, Andrew Lansley and Patrick McLoughlin