Hansard Society eNewsletter - February 2008

Upcoming Events
No Overall Control? The impact of a hung parliament on British politics

Tuesday 11 March 2008, 11am - 12.15pm, House of Commons

Speakers include: Professor Vernon Bogdanor, University of Oxford, Alex Brazier, Hansard Society, Professor Phil Cowley, University of Nottingham, Chair: Fiona Booth, Hansard Society

Tea and coffee available from 10.30am. Questions will be taken from the floor after discussion by our speakers.
Register for No Overall Control?

This event will launch the Hansard Society’s latest publication, No Overall Control? The impact of a hung parliament on British politics.  This edited collection is the handbook for anyone interested in coalition governments and their implications for British politics. There has been much speculation about the chances of a hung parliament in the next general election but what would this really mean for politics in the UK? The devolved institutions within Britain regularly have coalition governments but what impact does this have on their political processes? A wide range of experts on this issue including commentators, academics and politicians, have contributed essays to this book setting out their experiences and perceptions of hung parliaments, both internationally and in the UK.

 
An Audit of Political Engagement 5

Thursday 27 March 2008, 10 - 11am, House of Commons

Speakers: Michael Wills MP, Minister for Constitutional Reform, Ministry of Justice, Peter Riddell, Chair, Hansard Society
Chair: Fiona Booth, Chief Executive, Hansard Society

Refreshments available from 9.30am. Questions will be taken from the floor after discussion by our speakers.
Register for An Audit of Political Engagement 5.

The Audit is in its fifth year and measures the nature and extent of political engagement through a national survey conducted by Ipsos MORI. This allows us to compare data year on year and give the nation its annual political health check. This year’s research also includes data on public attitudes to constitutional reform including issues such as House of Lords reform, a Bill of Rights and the European Union.

 

For Teachers and those Working with Young People
House of Lords competition
What a waste! Is recycling a waste of time? If you’re under 18 and feel strongly about how we can reduce waste, this is your chance to make your voice heard in Parliament - and win up to £100 for your team.

Groups of young people in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 can submit their ideas about waste reduction and improve their level of political literacy at the same time. As well as a cash prize, winning groups will visit the House of Lords to make a presentation to members of the Science and Technology Committee and receive feedback.

Entry details, competition rules, background information and lesson plans for teachers are all provided online.  Visit the competition website to register for the project, today.

HeadsUp
Defence d-day - should our forces be in Iraq? The debate runs from 25 Feb - 14 March 2008. Legislators involved in the debate include: Bob Ainsworth MP - Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Linda Gilroy MP - Member of the Defence Select Committee , Gerald Howarth MP - Shadow Minister for Defence and Willie Rennie MP - Shadow Minister for Defence. Visit the HeadsUp Forum

 

And Finally...
Study & Scholars Programme Update
 The Spring 08 scholars are now in their seventh week and fully into the swing of the programme. This month they will be having guest lectures from Dr Sarah Childs about ‘Women in Politics’ and the Rt Hon Lord Hunt of Wirral about ‘Being in Cabinet’. In addition we will be taking the scholars to Oxford where they will have seminars on the ‘Rise of the Labour Party’ and ‘Electoral Processes in the UK’.
 
Work is now underway for the Summer 08 programme. After much deliberation, the Foreign Office select committee and Study and Scholars have chosen six outstanding Hansard/Chevening Research Scholars. The scholars are from Croatia, Bulgaria, Argentina and Bangladesh with backgrounds in political journalism, mass communication and international development.