Rowan Hall

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The Representation of the People Bill: contours of the debates to come The government’s long-awaited proposals for electoral reforms, published last month, will receive their first scrutiny in the House of Commons next Monday. Ahead of that debate, Alan Renwick analys…

*Representation of the People Bill update*

Steve Reed has just announced: 'We will repeal in full the power for government to impose a strategy and policy statement on the Electoral Commission'.

A very welcome change. I set out last week why it was needed.

constitution-unit.com/2026/02/26/t...

The Representation of the People Bill: contours of the debates to come The government’s long-awaited proposals for electoral reforms, published last month, will receive their first scrutiny in the House of Commons next Monday. Ahead of that debate, Alan Renwick analyses which of the bill’s proposals – and omissions – are likely to spark most contention. He suggests that pressure to strengthen the bill will be intense on multiple fronts.

NEW BLOG: The Representation of the People Bill: contours of the debates to come

Ahead of the bill's second reading on Monday, @alanrenwick.bsky.social covers 'astonishing weaknesses', an idea that is 'indefensible in a democracy' and another 'breach of such a basic democratic principle'.

Robert Hazell discusses the difficulties of changing the line of succession on BBC News The Constitution Unit's founder, Professor Robert Hazell, appeared on BBC News on 24 February to discuss the difficulties of changing the line of succession. He said: 'if the government is possibly…

'If the government is possibly having second thoughts, I would encourage them to do so because, to my mind, it is a waste of legislative time.'

Robert Hazell appeared on BBC News last night to discuss the difficulties of removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession.

Watch 👇

Misconduct in public office: three reasons why the case against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is so complex The offence Mountbatten-Windsor is being investigated for – misconduct in public office – is famously vague and complex.

Robert Hazell is in @uk.theconversation.com talking about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

He says that the vagueness of the offence, multiple police forces being involved and difficulties facing the CPS and courts make it unlikely that his case will be brought to a swift conclusion.

Read it 👇

Mandelson’s peerage: how to strip peers of their titles The government has publicly committed to removing Lord (Peter) Mandelson’s peerage following additional revelations about his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Robert Hazell considers potential mechanisms for achieving this, and argues that if it is to be done by legislation, then the government should consider carefully how wide its scope should be, what criteria should trigger the removal process, and whether its provisions should be retrospective.

NEW BLOG: Mandelson’s peerage: how to strip peers of their titles

Robert Hazell argues if the govt intends to is looking at legislation then the government should consider carefully how wide its scope is, what criteria should trigger the removal process, and whether it should be retrospective.

The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: is this a crisis for the monarchy? It was reported yesterday that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly known as Prince Andrew) had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest has provoked much comment and many questions, such as will he get special treatment, what constitutes misconduct of office, and how long might a prosecution take? Robert Hazell answers some of those questions below.  

NEW BLOG: The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: is this a crisis for the monarchy?

The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has provoked many questions, such as what constitutes misconduct of office, and how long might a prosecution take? Robert Hazell answers some of those questions below.

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...

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 👇

Yes, that sounds like a good idea! Or, unless I am missing something, a search feature beyond CTRL+F? But such a basically important thing to be able to see what secondary legislation an Act of Parliament has made possible, not to say also useful!

This is brilliant — thank you!

“Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned 'round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat?”

Demystifying the UK honours system The UK awards hundreds of honours each year to mark notable achievements and contributions to society. These awards – such as knighthoods, damehoods, and OBEs – can be a source of pride and a cause…

The New Year Honours List 2026 has been published!

How does the system work behind the scenes? Could it be improved?

We hosted Sue Owen, @peterr48.bsky.social and Dominic Grieve to discuss just this.

Listen to a recording 👉 the-constitution-unit.simplecast.com/episodes/dem....

Or watch 👇

I Believe in Father Christmas is my favourite Christmas song.

The message to me is that you have to make your own Christmas (like by wearing a Christmas jumper for the first 24 days of December!) The magic is not automatic (as it might feel in childhood), but has to be made by being jolly and kind.

This is my third Christmas at the Constitution Unit and I have finally found a reason to sneak 'Merry Christmas' into a social media post!

Please complete our short survey — every response is being carefully read.

And, if you have a PhD, consider applying to join the Unit!

Yet unless and until Sir Keir gets a grip on the appointments system, these figures will only mount, feeding even greater public anger. In the absence of the root-and-branch reform that Labour once supported, the best way to reduce numbers in the Lords is the one proposed by Meg Russell of the UCL Constitution Unit and others: to cap membership at no higher than that of the Commons (and ideally lower). Labour could achieve this by adopting new rules and formulas that limit a prime minister’s scope to appoint. Such changes would be popular and rational. They ​also need making now, if only ​t​o prevent Nigel Farage from flooding the Lords with even larger numbers of new peers​ in a few years' time.

It is good to see @theguardian.com support Meg Russell on limiting prime ministerial appointments to the House of Lords.

Read her blog post from July 👉 constitution-unit.com/2025/07/01/1....

Read today's editorial 👉 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre....

120. Despite the website being a key channel for public access to parliamentary information, Professor Meg Russell and Rowan Hall of the UCL Constitution Unit explained that: [ … ] it is difficult to get a balanced picture of activities in the House of Commons from the parliamentary website, particularly as a nonexpert observer… the newsfeed on the House of Commons website gives a rather partial view of Commons business, being strongly tilted towards the work of the select committees. Strikingly, it includes virtually no information about the passage of government bills, or that of private members' bills. This is in notable contrast to the equivalent pages for the House of Lords. It also includes no information about other important business that takes place in the chamber every day, such as urgent questions, other oral questions, opposition days, or government statements.

The Modernisation Committee has published its accessibility report.

Read Meg Russell and @rowaninlondon.bsky.social's evidence 👉 committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide....

Read Tom Fleming's evidence 👉 committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide....

Read it 👉 publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm....

Teaching Citizenship • Issue 62. Rowan Hall — Impact Research Fellow at UCL Constitution Unit. Resources to increase constitutional literacy among young people. For 30 years, the UCL Constitution Unit has been shining a light on the UK constitution and debates about constitutional and political reform. Its outputs are freely available online. This article outlines what these resources cover and how they can be used in the Citizenship classroom.

If you are a paid member of the @acitizenshipt.bsky.social, you can access @rowaninlondon.bsky.social's new article!

It is about how the Constitution Unit's work, although primarily aimed at policy-makers, can also be used in the classroom.

Read it 👉 www.teachingcitizenship.org.uk/resource/tea....

To quote Destiny's Child, 'tell me what you think about me'!

(Well not me specifically, but we want to hear your views on the good ship Constitution Unit!)

Do the government’s electoral reforms go far enough? On 24 October, the Constitution Unit hosted an event asking whether the government’s electoral reforms go far enough. A common theme that emerged was that the government should go further than its …

Fascinating reflections on the government’s strategy ahead of the forthcoming Elections Bill.

This is a golden opportunity to tackle dark money, increase transparency & prevent foreign interference.

Looking forward to meeting MCHLG ministers later this week to discuss.

@conunitucl.bsky.social

Absolutely. This post in the thread mentions David Cameron's proliferate appointments and links to a 2021 House of Lords Library briefing which has the numbers going back to 1958!

A thread from Meg Russell on (more) House of Lords appointments.

If these 33 appointments are made, that will be around 115 new life peers in 18 months. Keir Starmer is already one of the most proliferate PMs!

Appointments are also often announced when politicians and journalists are looking away.

Do the government’s electoral reforms go far enough? On 24 October, the Constitution Unit hosted an event asking whether the government’s electoral reforms go far enough. A common theme that emerged was that the government should go further than its current plans. Rowan Hall summarises the contributions, which are available in full on YouTube and as a podcast.

NEW BLOG: Do the government’s electoral reforms go far enough?

@rowaninlondon.bsky.social summarises the contributions made by the expert panel assembled for the Unit's recent event on the government's plans for electoral reform.

A deliberate decision!

Job opportunities at the Constitution Unit are rare and vacancies for a permanent role where the successful candidate will join our senior team are even rarer!

We can offer great chat, frequent cake and, of course, the opportunity to lead high-quality research that will have a real-world impact!

The latest edition of our triannual constitutional review is now available!

Monitor 91 warns that 'changes feel timid and reluctant in the face of serious threats' and explains what is happening across the constitutional spectrum.

Read it 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Or browse our thread 👇

Professor Alan Renwick, Professor of Democratic Politics, University College London, highlighted that the political literacy "knowledge gap" that needs to be filled includes not only technical knowledge of the democratic and political process but also "openness to the idea that someone with a different view is not necessarily malign or dishonest."

The Speaker's Conference on the security of MPs, candidates and elections published its second report yesterday.

Our Deputy Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, is repeatedly cited, including about political literacy.

Read it 👉 publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm....

Watch our event live on YouTube!

Tory deportation plan would upend Britain Proposing such a radical bill with little public support is a gift to Nigel Farage

Hadn’t, in truth, really absorbed the scale of what the Conservatives are proposing on ILR and immigration more broadly until this week’s Sunday Times interviews. Some thoughts on that in today’s note:

Come for the 18 briefings in webpage form, stay for the 18 briefings in PDF form!

These are fantastic resources covering topics ranging from democratic backsliding to parliamentary scrutiny to free and fair elections.