The Constitution Society
@consoc.bsky.social
The Constitution Society is an independent educational foundation which works to promote public understanding of the UK constitution.
On the blog this week: Colin Talbot asks whether we are heading towards an increasingly presidential system of local government. Read it now at: https://consoc.org.uk/one-mayor-to-rule-them-all/
One Mayor to Rule Them All: Labour and Local Government - The Constitution Society
Colin Talbot investigates whether we are moving towards an increaingly presidential form of local government.
consoc.org.uk
February 10, 2026 at 4:05 PM
On the blog this week: Colin Talbot asks whether we are heading towards an increasingly presidential system of local government. Read it now at: https://consoc.org.uk/one-mayor-to-rule-them-all/
10 days remains to apply for our Contributing Writer posts - a fantastic opportunity to write about current constitutional events and developments! ✍️🚨
https://consoc.org.uk/contributing-writer-ad-2026/
https://consoc.org.uk/contributing-writer-ad-2026/
Contributing Writer Opportunities: Write for the Constitution Society - The Constitution Society
The Constitution Society is seeking contributing writers to author blogs and content on a range of political and legal topics.
consoc.org.uk
February 10, 2026 at 1:30 PM
10 days remains to apply for our Contributing Writer posts - a fantastic opportunity to write about current constitutional events and developments! ✍️🚨
https://consoc.org.uk/contributing-writer-ad-2026/
https://consoc.org.uk/contributing-writer-ad-2026/
What is the Judicial Appointments Commission, and might it be a model for other public bodies? Peter Heaton-Jones investigates: https://loom.ly/PCDwZPg
Who Appoints Our Judges? Inside the Judicial Appointments Commission - The Constitution Society
Peter Heaton-Jones examines the Judicial Appointments Commission and asks whether it could be a model for other public bodies.
consoc.org.uk
February 5, 2026 at 4:48 PM
What is the Judicial Appointments Commission, and might it be a model for other public bodies? Peter Heaton-Jones investigates: https://loom.ly/PCDwZPg
Laura Gherman explores how the “reshuffle culture” undermines ministerial expertise, weakens scrutiny, and destabilises policy-making across Whitehall. https://consoc.org.uk/the-complex-implications-of-reshuffles/
The Complex Implications of Reshuffles - The Constitution Society
Laura Gherman considers what effect the increasing frequency of Cabinet reshuffles has had on the UK constitution.
consoc.org.uk
January 30, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Laura Gherman explores how the “reshuffle culture” undermines ministerial expertise, weakens scrutiny, and destabilises policy-making across Whitehall. https://consoc.org.uk/the-complex-implications-of-reshuffles/
Reposted by The Constitution Society
Brexit and Immigration: the Arc of the Pendulum
My report out today for @consoc.bsky.social trying to make sense of the last 25 years of the UK's immigration politics and policy. And where next?
consoc.org.uk/wp-content/u...
My report out today for @consoc.bsky.social trying to make sense of the last 25 years of the UK's immigration politics and policy. And where next?
consoc.org.uk/wp-content/u...
consoc.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Brexit and Immigration: the Arc of the Pendulum
My report out today for @consoc.bsky.social trying to make sense of the last 25 years of the UK's immigration politics and policy. And where next?
consoc.org.uk/wp-content/u...
My report out today for @consoc.bsky.social trying to make sense of the last 25 years of the UK's immigration politics and policy. And where next?
consoc.org.uk/wp-content/u...
There's still time to apply for our paid Contributing Writer roles. Follow the link for further application info ✍️ ⬇️
https://consoc.org.uk/contributing-writer-ad-2026/#:~:text=Job%20details&text=The%20Society%20is%20looking%20to,and%20the%20rule%20of%20law
https://consoc.org.uk/contributing-writer-ad-2026/#:~:text=Job%20details&text=The%20Society%20is%20looking%20to,and%20the%20rule%20of%20law
Contributing Writer Opportunities: Write for the Constitution Society - The Constitution Society
The Constitution Society is seeking contributing writers to author blogs and content on a range of political and legal topics.
consoc.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 1:03 PM
There's still time to apply for our paid Contributing Writer roles. Follow the link for further application info ✍️ ⬇️
https://consoc.org.uk/contributing-writer-ad-2026/#:~:text=Job%20details&text=The%20Society%20is%20looking%20to,and%20the%20rule%20of%20law
https://consoc.org.uk/contributing-writer-ad-2026/#:~:text=Job%20details&text=The%20Society%20is%20looking%20to,and%20the%20rule%20of%20law
Alys Thomas traces the evolution of inter-institutional relations in Wales — from the early days of devolution to today’s challenges under Brexit-era pressures and a strained Sewel Convention. https://consoc.org.uk/inter-institutional-partnership-the-senedd-and-the-welsh-government/
Inter-institutional partnership: the Senedd and the Welsh Government - The Constitution Society
Alys Thomas assesses the inter-institutional agreement between the Senedd and the Welsh Government for the Constitution Society.
consoc.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Alys Thomas traces the evolution of inter-institutional relations in Wales — from the early days of devolution to today’s challenges under Brexit-era pressures and a strained Sewel Convention. https://consoc.org.uk/inter-institutional-partnership-the-senedd-and-the-welsh-government/
What does Labour's decision to prevent Andy Burnham standing for Parliament tell us about the role political parties play in our constitution? Darryn Nyatanga explores the issue in our latest. Read it now at: https://consoc.org.uk/elections-in-a-chokehold/
Our Elections are in a Chokehold: The Burnham Example - The Constitution Society
Darryn Nyatanga on what Labour's decision to stop Andy Burnham running for Parliament tells us about political parties in the constitution.
consoc.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 5:05 PM
What does Labour's decision to prevent Andy Burnham standing for Parliament tell us about the role political parties play in our constitution? Darryn Nyatanga explores the issue in our latest. Read it now at: https://consoc.org.uk/elections-in-a-chokehold/
Was the Johnson government corrupt — or merely surrounded by corruption risk?https://consoc.org.uk/revisited-is-britain-politically-corrupt/
Revisited: Is Britain ‘Politically Corrupt’? - The Constitution Society
Professor Robert Barrington reassesses whether the Johnson government was politically corrupt based on evidence released since 2021.
consoc.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Was the Johnson government corrupt — or merely surrounded by corruption risk?https://consoc.org.uk/revisited-is-britain-politically-corrupt/
Delegated legislation isn’t limitless elsewhere. Tthis blog explores how five constitutions set boundaries on delegating law-making power. https://consoc.org.uk/constitutional-provisions-limiting-delegated-legilsation/
Constitutional Provisions Limiting Delegated Legislation - The Constitution Society
Tasneem Ghazi reviews and compares a range of different constitutional methods for limiting delegated legislation.
consoc.org.uk
January 27, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Delegated legislation isn’t limitless elsewhere. Tthis blog explores how five constitutions set boundaries on delegating law-making power. https://consoc.org.uk/constitutional-provisions-limiting-delegated-legilsation/
How do we go about measuring, in a systematic fashion, if judicial overreach is a problem in the UK? Cassandra Somers-Joce considers the question in our latest piece: https://consoc.org.uk/how-to-measure-judicial-overreach-2/
How to Measure Judicial Overreach Systemically - The Constitution Society
Cassandra Somers-Joce examines how we should assess whether there is judicial overreach in the United Kingdom.
consoc.org.uk
January 26, 2026 at 1:47 PM
How do we go about measuring, in a systematic fashion, if judicial overreach is a problem in the UK? Cassandra Somers-Joce considers the question in our latest piece: https://consoc.org.uk/how-to-measure-judicial-overreach-2/
What is a statutory inquiry — and how did the UK come to rely on them for accountability? Kate Dewsnip considers https://consoc.org.uk/covid-19-and-the-inquiries-act/
Covid-19 and the Inquiries Act 2005 - The Constitution Society
Kate Dewsnip charts the development of Inquiries up to the Covid-19 Inquiry, and queries what we might expect in the future.
consoc.org.uk
January 26, 2026 at 12:23 AM
What is a statutory inquiry — and how did the UK come to rely on them for accountability? Kate Dewsnip considers https://consoc.org.uk/covid-19-and-the-inquiries-act/
The Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Act 2023 reveals deep flaws in how Parliament scrutinises trade treaties and delegated legislation. Without reform, MPs risk losing what little say they have over future trade deals. https://consoc.org.uk/tanza-a-slippery-slope/
The Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Act: a slippery slope for scrutiny - The Constitution Society
Saba Shakil examines the Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Act and what it means for parliamentary scrutiny.
consoc.org.uk
January 23, 2026 at 9:01 AM
The Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Act 2023 reveals deep flaws in how Parliament scrutinises trade treaties and delegated legislation. Without reform, MPs risk losing what little say they have over future trade deals. https://consoc.org.uk/tanza-a-slippery-slope/
The government may have dropped its Bill of Rights Bill, but human rights protections in the UK remain under pressure. In this blog, Stuart Wallace warns that the Human Rights Act risks “death by a thousand cuts.” https://consoc.org.uk/death-by-a-thousand-cuts/
Death by a Thousand Cuts: The Human Rights Act - The Constitution Society
Stuart Wallace analyses the legislation which continues to threaten the Human Rights Act for the Constitution Society.
consoc.org.uk
January 22, 2026 at 9:01 AM
The government may have dropped its Bill of Rights Bill, but human rights protections in the UK remain under pressure. In this blog, Stuart Wallace warns that the Human Rights Act risks “death by a thousand cuts.” https://consoc.org.uk/death-by-a-thousand-cuts/
MPs “whipped” into obedience — or bullied into silence? Tabitha Troughton's @Con_Soc report Cracking the Whip uncovers the hidden power of party whips and what it means for democracy. https://consoc.org.uk/cracking-the-whip-blog/
Cracking the whip: the UK's party control system - The Constitution Society
Tabitha Troughton writers about her newly published report on the UK whipping system for the Constitution Society.
consoc.org.uk
January 21, 2026 at 9:01 AM
MPs “whipped” into obedience — or bullied into silence? Tabitha Troughton's @Con_Soc report Cracking the Whip uncovers the hidden power of party whips and what it means for democracy. https://consoc.org.uk/cracking-the-whip-blog/
What could stop a UK Prime Minister if they tried to behave as Donald Trump has done on the international stage? Darryn Nyatanga considers the options in our latest blog post: hhttps://consoc.org.uk/constitutionally-restraining-a-pm/
Can the Constitution Really Restrain a Prime Minister? - The Constitution Society
Dr Darryn Nyatanga asks how well the UK system would deal with a Prime Minister acting in bad faith internationally.
consoc.org.uk
January 19, 2026 at 10:25 AM
What could stop a UK Prime Minister if they tried to behave as Donald Trump has done on the international stage? Darryn Nyatanga considers the options in our latest blog post: hhttps://consoc.org.uk/constitutionally-restraining-a-pm/
Westminster can’t keep ignoring devolved governments. 🏛️ A new approach is needed — confederal-federalism could give Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland real say while keeping the UK united. https://consoc.org.uk/renewing-intergovernmental-relations/
Renewing Intergovernmental Relations: The Case for Reform - The Constitution Society
Glyndwr Cennydd Jones examines the state of UK intergovernmental relations and puts forward the case for reform.
consoc.org.uk
January 19, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Westminster can’t keep ignoring devolved governments. 🏛️ A new approach is needed — confederal-federalism could give Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland real say while keeping the UK united. https://consoc.org.uk/renewing-intergovernmental-relations/
Misleading ads during elections aren’t just bad politics — they can break the law. ⚖️
UK election rules protect candidates’ reputations, but the system is messy, outdated, and in need of reform. https://consoc.org.uk/uk-elections-law/
UK election rules protect candidates’ reputations, but the system is messy, outdated, and in need of reform. https://consoc.org.uk/uk-elections-law/
UK elections law: complex, fragmented and in need of reform? - The Constitution Society
Elijah Granet examines UK elections law and its intricacies after weeks of cancerous debate in this blog for the Constitution Society.
consoc.org.uk
January 16, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Misleading ads during elections aren’t just bad politics — they can break the law. ⚖️
UK election rules protect candidates’ reputations, but the system is messy, outdated, and in need of reform. https://consoc.org.uk/uk-elections-law/
UK election rules protect candidates’ reputations, but the system is messy, outdated, and in need of reform. https://consoc.org.uk/uk-elections-law/
We're advertising for our 2026/7 Contributing Writer posts - a great opportunity to write on contemporary constitutional issues. Follow the link below for more information ⬇️
https://consoc.org.uk/contributing-writer-ad-2026/
https://consoc.org.uk/contributing-writer-ad-2026/
Contributing Writer Opportunities: Write for the Constitution Society - The Constitution Society
The Constitution Society is seeking contributing writers to author blogs and content on a range of political and legal topics.
consoc.org.uk
January 15, 2026 at 3:04 PM
We're advertising for our 2026/7 Contributing Writer posts - a great opportunity to write on contemporary constitutional issues. Follow the link below for more information ⬇️
https://consoc.org.uk/contributing-writer-ad-2026/
https://consoc.org.uk/contributing-writer-ad-2026/
Why does parliamentary scrutiny matter? Kate Dewsnip argues that effective scrutiny produces better laws, holds the Executive to account, and opens the door to wider policy influence. https://consoc.org.uk/the-purpose-of-legislative-scrutiny/
The purpose of legislative scrutiny - The Constitution Society
Kate Dewsnip explains the purpose and benefits of legislative scrutiny in this blog for the Constitution Society.
consoc.org.uk
January 15, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Why does parliamentary scrutiny matter? Kate Dewsnip argues that effective scrutiny produces better laws, holds the Executive to account, and opens the door to wider policy influence. https://consoc.org.uk/the-purpose-of-legislative-scrutiny/
When the Good Friday Agreement was signed, incorporating the ECHR into Northern Ireland law was a symbol of hope and justice. A generation later, that promise risks being eroded. https://consoc.org.uk/is-westminster-backtracking-on-human-rights-in-northern-ireland/
25 years on is Westminster backtracking on human rights in Northern Ireland? - The Constitution Society
Stuart Wallace examines the relationship between the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and the ECHR for the Constitution Society.
consoc.org.uk
January 14, 2026 at 9:01 AM
When the Good Friday Agreement was signed, incorporating the ECHR into Northern Ireland law was a symbol of hope and justice. A generation later, that promise risks being eroded. https://consoc.org.uk/is-westminster-backtracking-on-human-rights-in-northern-ireland/
Devolution in Northern Ireland: over 25 years, countless challenges — and somehow, it still works (mostly). https://consoc.org.uk/devolution-and-the-belfast-good-friday-agreement/
Devolution and the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement: a stuttering failure? - The Constitution Society
Kelly Shuttleworth considers the legacy of devolution and the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement for the Constitution Society.
consoc.org.uk
January 13, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Devolution in Northern Ireland: over 25 years, countless challenges — and somehow, it still works (mostly). https://consoc.org.uk/devolution-and-the-belfast-good-friday-agreement/
With the announcement of a review of foreign interference in our elections, is this a matter of democracy or party politics? Mark Bennister investigates: https://consoc.org.uk/dirty-money-international-interference/
Dirty Money and the Need for Disinfectant - The Constitution Society
Mark Bennister reflects on the Government's decision to launch an independent review into foreign interference in UK elections
consoc.org.uk
January 12, 2026 at 12:02 PM
With the announcement of a review of foreign interference in our elections, is this a matter of democracy or party politics? Mark Bennister investigates: https://consoc.org.uk/dirty-money-international-interference/
If Parliament starts taking delegated legislation seriously, will the courts stop? Shaba Shakil argues they shouldn’t. https://consoc.org.uk/what-could-si-procedures-in-parliament-mean-for-the-courts/
What could proposals to reform SI procedure in Parliament mean for the courts? - The Constitution Society
Saba Shakil argues that improved parliamentary procedure should be an asset to judicial review in helping hold the executive to account
consoc.org.uk
January 12, 2026 at 9:01 AM
If Parliament starts taking delegated legislation seriously, will the courts stop? Shaba Shakil argues they shouldn’t. https://consoc.org.uk/what-could-si-procedures-in-parliament-mean-for-the-courts/
Every March, all eyes turn to the Chancellor’s red box. But the real story lies in the centuries of convention that govern who gets to open it. The Budget is not just an economic event. It’s a constitutional one. http://consoc.org.uk/the-budget-getting-and-spending/
The Budget – getting and spending - The Constitution Society
The constitutional and conventional context of the UK Budget remains poorly understood. Professor Colin Talbot explains.
consoc.org.uk
January 9, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Every March, all eyes turn to the Chancellor’s red box. But the real story lies in the centuries of convention that govern who gets to open it. The Budget is not just an economic event. It’s a constitutional one. http://consoc.org.uk/the-budget-getting-and-spending/