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UCL Constitution Unit

The UK’s leading research centre on constitutional change. Informing policy-making and public debate about the constitution and democracy.

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22 episodes
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English

Episodes 22

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#114
Tuesday · 1 hr 1 min
How should we assess different options for the voting system?
We examine the arguments for and against electoral reform with leading speakers
#113
October 13 · 1 hr 1 min
The health of democracy in 2026
An expert panel discusses the latest evidence about the health of democracy.
#112
July 9 · 58 min
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 challenges for delivering such an agenda? And – ahead of a forthcoming Constitution Unit report – what broader constitutional issues deserve renewed attention from any new or continuing Prime Minister?
#111
June 26 · 43 min
Six 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 change.
#110
June 25 · 1 hr 1 min
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? And does safeguarding our elections require changes of culture and behaviour, as well as new legislation?
#109
June 25 · 1 hr 1 min
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 remains to be done?
#108
June 24 · 1 hr 1 min
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 to how legislation is prepared, drafted, and debated? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using backbench bills, and of more direct public involvement?
#107
June 24 · 59 min
Constitution Unit Conference 2026: How should political parties choose their leaders?
Are UK political parties’ leadership selection rules fit for purpose?
#106
June 24 · 1 hr 1 min
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 tangible improvements in citizens’ everyday lives? And to what extent does it require wider institutional and cultural changes in our political institutions? With respect to the latter, how could such changes be delivered?
#105
June 24 · 59 min
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 changes might be coming?
#104
May 20 · 1 hr 4 min
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 at the Institute for Government. Professor Jennifer Hudson, Vice Provost (Faculties) at University College London, introduced the lecture, while Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government, concluded it. Audience questions have been removed from this recording.
#103
April 30 · 59 min
The future of BBC governance
An expert panel discusses the future of BBC governance.
#102
March 5 · 59 min
How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics?
An expert panel looks ahead to May’s Senedd election.
#101
January 19 · 59 min
Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?
An expert panel discusses how a more fragmented politics challenges the House of Commons and the parties within it.
#100
Dec 9, 2025 · 59 min
Demystifying the UK honours system
At this event hosted by the UCL Constitution Unit, an expert panel discusses the UK honours system.
#99
Nov 10, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min
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. At this event jointly hosted by the UCL Human Rights Institute, UCL Global Centre for Democratic Constitutionalism and UCL Constitution Unit, a panel of expert speakers familiar with the developments in Denmark, UK, and the Council of Europe speak about the pressures that human rights and especially the European Convention find themselves under and what the options are for st
#98
Oct 24, 2025 · 1 hr
Do the government's electoral reforms go far enough?
At this event hosted by the UCL Constitution Unit, an expert panel discusses the UK government's elections policy paper.
#97
Sep 24, 2025 · 59 min
How should the UK's parliaments scrutinise international agreements?
An expert panel discusses parliamentary scrutiny of international agreements.
#96
Jul 20, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min
England’s ‘devolution revolution’: prospects and challenges
An expert panel discusses the government’s plans for reforming regional and local government in England.
#95
Jul 19, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min
Labour’s Constitutional Agenda in Office: Constitution Unit Conference 2025 - Reflections on Labour’s constitutional agenda
This closing session brought together a cross-party senior panel to offer reflections on the Labour government’s constitutional agenda, and possible alternative priorities.

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