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UCL Constitution Unit
@conunitucl.bsky.social
The UK's leading research centre on constitutional change, covering parliament, government, democracy, elections and more.

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How is the royal family (and its finances) scrutinised by parliament? By the government? By the media?

On 26 February, join Valentine Low, Helle Krunke and David Torrance at our free, online event to discuss whether the monarchy is sufficiently accountable.

Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
Reposted by UCL Constitution Unit
Ministers want to get back to the 'better standards in politics' theme - good.

A bill is has just been promised to allow removal of peerages.

But a government bill would also ideally end unregulated appointments to the Lords. As Meg Russell argued months ago.⤵️
constitution-unit.com/2025/07/01/1...
February 9, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Ministers want to get back to the 'better standards in politics' theme - good.

A bill is has just been promised to allow removal of peerages.

But a government bill would also ideally end unregulated appointments to the Lords. As Meg Russell argued months ago.⤵️
constitution-unit.com/2025/07/01/1...
February 9, 2026 at 5:18 PM
How is AI reshaping democracy? Who should set the rules governing AI? How can democracies effectively regulate tech giants?

On 26 February, join @cchwalisz.bsky.social, Elizabeth Seger, Melanie Smallman and Jeffrey Howard to discuss this and more at a free, in-person event.

Sign up 👇
Democracy In The Age Of Artificial Intelligence
How is AI reshaping the relationship between citizens and the state? And who should set the rules?
www.ucl.ac.uk
February 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by UCL Constitution Unit
Of course there will be credit to Morgan McSweeney for the 2024 majority, but its important to remember that the major factors that contributed to the unique seats-votes outcome were outside Labour’s direct control:

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Most Disproportionate UK Election: How the Labour Party Doubled its Seat Share with a 1.6‐Point Increase in Vote Share in 2024
The Labour Party doubled its seats in the 2024 UK general election, winning a landslide majority with only a 1.6 point increase in its UK vote share and an historically low vote share for a winning p...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Princes, the prerogative and letters patent

Our founder, Robert Hazell, is speaking alongside @craigprescott.bsky.social at a hybrid @statutelawsociety.bsky.social event, hosted by @laws.ucl.ac.uk tonight.

Sign up (it costs £8, but is free for members and UCL staff and students) 👇
Princes, the prerogative and letters patent
A Statute Law Society event, hosted by UCL Laws
www.ucl.ac.uk
February 5, 2026 at 1:01 PM
🧵 The government was defeated in the House of Lords 3 times yesterday, 3 February 2026.

The government was defeated 295 to 180 votes on amendment 199 to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill at report stage.

👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...
February 4, 2026 at 7:15 PM
'I think it would have to be generic legislation which introduced a new power to strip any seriously disgraced peer of their title... there would have to be some kind of fairness and due process.'

Robert Hazell appeared on @lbc.co.uk News last night to discuss Lord (Peter) Mandelson.

Listen 👇
Robert Hazell explains the difference between resigning from the House of Lords and losing a peerage
YouTube video by UCL Constitution Unit
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM
How is the royal family (and its finances) scrutinised by parliament? By the government? By the media?

On 26 February, join Valentine Low, Helle Krunke and David Torrance at our free, online event to discuss whether the monarchy is sufficiently accountable.

Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
February 4, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Princes, the prerogative and letters patent

Our founder, Robert Hazell, is speaking alongside @craigprescott.bsky.social at a hybrid @statutelawsociety.bsky.social event, hosted by @laws.ucl.ac.uk on Thursday evening.

Sign up (it costs £8, but is free for members and UCL staff and students) 👇
Princes, the prerogative and letters patent
A Statute Law Society event, hosted by UCL Laws
www.ucl.ac.uk
February 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by UCL Constitution Unit
There is much talk today about removing a person from the House of Lords, following new revelations about Lord (Peter) Mandelson.

He could resign or, if he choses not to, be expelled. But neither would remove his peerage — this would involve a more time consuming process for parliament.

A thread 👇
February 2, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Reposted by UCL Constitution Unit
Thurs 5 Feb 18:15-19:30. Join our panellists Dr Marko Bošnjak, Dr Victoria Kristan and Dr Adam Bodnar, and event chair Prof Veronika Fikfak, to discuss what (if anything) can be done in the present “rule of law” crisis.

www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo...
The Breaking Point: Navigating The Global Rule Of Law Recession
What, if anything, can be done in the present "rule of law" crisis? Panellists include Dr Bošnjak, former President of the ECHR, and Dr Bodnar, former Minister of Justice for Poland
www.ucl.ac.uk
February 2, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Reposted by UCL Constitution Unit
'The House of Lords should not be blamed for what has happened here and the House of Lords should not be blamed for having inadequate procedures.'

Our Director, Meg Russell, spoke to @iaindale.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk about removing Lord (Peter) Mandelson from the House of Lords.

Listen 👇
Meg Russell describes how to remove a person from the House of Lords with Iain Dale on LBC
The Director of the Constitution Unit, Professor Meg Russell, spoke to Iain Dale on LBC about removing Lord (Peter) Mandelson from the House of Lords and how this is different to removing his…
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:00 AM
'The House of Lords should not be blamed for what has happened here and the House of Lords should not be blamed for having inadequate procedures.'

Our Director, Meg Russell, spoke to @iaindale.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk about removing Lord (Peter) Mandelson from the House of Lords.

Listen 👇
Meg Russell describes how to remove a person from the House of Lords with Iain Dale on LBC
The Director of the Constitution Unit, Professor Meg Russell, spoke to Iain Dale on LBC about removing Lord (Peter) Mandelson from the House of Lords and how this is different to removing his…
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:00 AM
'The House of Lords should not be blamed for what has happened here and the House of Lords should not be blamed for having inadequate procedures.'

Our Director, Meg Russell, spoke to @iaindale.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk about removing Lord (Peter) Mandelson from the House of Lords.

Listen 👇
Meg Russell describes how to remove a person from the House of Lords with Iain Dale on LBC
The Director of the Constitution Unit, Professor Meg Russell, spoke to Iain Dale on LBC about removing Lord (Peter) Mandelson from the House of Lords and how this is different to removing his…
www.youtube.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Reposted by UCL Constitution Unit
Since we’re talking again about expelling people from the House of Lords … the HL (Expulsion & Suspension) Act 2015 allows the Lords, by resolution, to suspend or expel a member. The HL Reform Act 2014 allows a life peer to resign from the HL, and provides for expulsion for non-attendance or … /1
February 2, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Lord (Michael) Forsyth of Drumlean took over as @lordspeaker.parliament.uk today.

Our Director, Meg Russell, recently appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss:
💼 the role of the Lord Speaker,
🗣️ Lord Forsyth of Drumlean's political reputation and
🗳️ the contest with Baroness (Deborah) Bull.

Listen 👇
Meg Russell explains the Lord Speaker election result with Matt Chorley on BBC Radio 5 Live
The Director of the Constitution Unit, Professor Meg Russell, reacted to the election of Lord (Michael) Forsyth of Drumlean as Lord Speaker with Matt Chorley on BBC Radio 5 Live. She explained the…
www.youtube.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Our Director, Meg Russell, spoke to BBC News earlier about removing Lord (Peter) Mandelson from the House of Lords and how this is different to removing his peerage.

Read what she said 👉 www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cl....

And use our thread to find out more 👇
February 2, 2026 at 4:31 PM
There is much talk today about removing a person from the House of Lords, following new revelations about Lord (Peter) Mandelson.

He could resign or, if he choses not to, be expelled. But neither would remove his peerage — this would involve a more time consuming process for parliament.

A thread 👇
February 2, 2026 at 3:55 PM
ON THE BLOG: Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons

Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties and calls on parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements and consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties
Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons
Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties and calls on parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements and consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties
constitution-unit.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:22 AM
🧵 The government was defeated in the House of Lords twice Wednesday, 28 January 2026.

The government was defeated 255 to 183 votes on amendment 114 to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill at report stage.

👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...
January 30, 2026 at 9:00 PM
How is the royal family (and its finances) scrutinised by parliament? By the government? By the media?

On 26 February, join Valentine Low, Helle Krunke and David Torrance at our free, online event to discuss whether the monarchy is sufficiently accountable.

Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
January 30, 2026 at 1:00 PM
ON THE BLOG: Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons

Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties and calls on parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements and consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties
Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons
Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties and calls on parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements and consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties
constitution-unit.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:58 PM
ON THE BLOG: Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons

Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties and calls on parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements and consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties
Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons
Following the Unit’s January seminar, Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?, panellist Louise Thompson explains the procedural and logistical obstacles facing small parties in the House of Commons. She calls for parliamentary institutions to adapt their processes, and concludes that formalising some current informal arrangements and looking at ways to increase equalities of opportunity across all opposition parties would be sensible next steps.
constitution-unit.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Princes, the prerogative and letters patent

Our founder, Robert Hazell, is speaking alongside @craigprescott.bsky.social at a hybrid @statutelawsociety.bsky.social event, hosted by @laws.ucl.ac.uk, next Thursday evening.

Sign up (it costs £8, but is free for members and UCL staff and students) 👇
Princes, the prerogative and letters patent
A Statute Law Society event, hosted by UCL Laws
www.ucl.ac.uk
January 27, 2026 at 1:01 PM