What next for constitutional reform in the UK?
What do we know so far about Burnham’s agenda in the area of constitutional reform? What does past experience tell us about the practical ch...
Radio and PodcastLive Radio & PodcastsGovernment & Organizations
The 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, inf...
Episodes
20 of 112 episodesSix Prime Ministers and a Brexit: Meg Russell Reflects on British Democracy
This week we reflect on the career and ideas of Professor Meg Russell, one of the UK's leading experts on parliament and constitutional chan...
Constitution Unit Conference 2026: The Representation of the People Bill
Will the Representation of the People Bill be sufficient to deliver fair, safe, and secure elections? If not, what more needs to be done? An...
Constitution Unit Conference 2026: What next for standards in public life?
Has the government taken sufficient steps to strengthen standards in public life? How have recent events affected its plans? And what more r...
Constitution Unit Conference 2026: Making policy on difficult issues
This panel discusses how the policymaking process can best be designed to handle particularly controversial issues. Might it require reforms...
Constitution Unit Conference 2026: How should political parties choose their leaders?
Are UK political parties’ leadership selection rules fit for purpose?
Constitution Unit Conference 2026: How can public confidence in UK democracy be restored?
What can be done to restore public confidence in the health of British democracy? To what extent does it depend on politicians delivering ta...
Constitution Unit Conference 2026: UK–EU relations ten years after the referendum
Ten years after the referendum, what is the current state of UK–EU relations? What has changed since Labour took office? And what further ch...
Professor Meg Russell's valedictory lecture as Director of the Constitution Unit
On 12 May 2026, Professor Meg Russell FBA's time as Director of the UCL Constitution Unit culminated in her delivering a valedictory lecture...
The future of BBC governance
An expert panel discusses the future of BBC governance.
How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics?
The 2026 Senedd (Welsh Parliament) election may be one of the most significant since the start of devolution. Much attention is rightly bein...
Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?
The 2024 election delivered an unusually fragmented opposition; almost half the non-government seats in the House of Commons were won by par...
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, d...
The Future of the ECHR – In Europe and UK
Please note that, in places, the microphones momentarily failed to record the proceedings at this event. We apologise. In the UK, calls for...
Do the government's electoral reforms go far enough?
The UK government published an elections policy paper in the summer, including proposals for votes at 16, automated electoral registration,...
How should the UK's parliaments scrutinise international agreements?
Many of the highest-profile political issues – including trade, security, and immigration – are now shaped by international treaties and agr...
England’s ‘devolution revolution’: prospects and challenges
The UK government has promised a ‘devolution revolution’ in England, with major changes to the structure of regional and local government, a...
Labour’s Constitutional Agenda in Office: Constitution Unit Conference 2025 - Reflections on Labour’s constitutional agenda
This summer marks a year since Labour’s landslide victory at the 2024 general election. The party’s manifesto contained a number of pledges...
Labour’s Constitutional Agenda in Office: Constitution Unit Conference 2025 - Reforming the House of Commons
This summer marks a year since Labour’s landslide victory at the 2024 general election. The party’s manifesto contained a number of pledges...
Labour’s Constitutional Agenda in Office: Constitution Unit Conference 2025 - The rule of law
This summer marks a year since Labour’s landslide victory at the 2024 general election. The party’s manifesto contained a number of pledges...