Hansard Society eNewsletter - March 2010
Who Governs?
Forming a coalition or minority government in the event of a hung Parliament.
The Hansard Society and the Study of Parliament Group have published a new pamphlet on hung Parliaments on Thursday March 11. Who Governs? Forming a coalition or a minority government in the event of a hung Parliament examines
what will happen in the event of an uncertain general election result
this year – with particular focus on the implications for Parliament.
Issues addressed include:
- Who wins – the party with the most seats or the most votes?
- What is the role of the Queen?
- What effect will the financial markets have on the process?
- Does a hung Parliament mean weak government?
Download the full briefing paper here. Audit of Political Engagement 2010
The 7th edition of our annual Audit of Political Engagement was
launched on Wednesday March 3. The Audit this year has a special focus
on MPs and Parliament, raises a number of topical issues in the context
of MPs' expenses and the forthcoming general election, and provides
longer term reflections on the level of continuity and change charted
in the Audit findings over the course of this Parliament.
Click here to download the Audit of Political Engagement The Reform Challenge
This
pamphlet brings together perspectives and proposals on how to renew our
democratic system and regain public confidence and trust. In our recent
Parliamentary Reform Lecture Series, representatives from the three
main political parties (Rt Hon Jack Straw MP, Rt Hon Sir George Young
MP and David Howarth MP), the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon
John Bercow MP and the Lord Speaker, Baroness Hayman, put forward their
proposals.
The Reform Challenge brings together their thoughts
to provide a comprehensive overview. In addition, Dr Ruth Fox, Director
of the Hansard Society's Parliament and Government programme, examines
public confidence in and satisfaction with the effectiveness of
Parliament collectively and MPs individually; and puts forward priority
areas for reform.
Click here to download the Parliamentary Reform pamphlet Politicians Get Their Clicks A new Digital Paper,
Politicians Get Their Clicks,
published today by the Hansard Society, concludes that the 2010 general
election will not be the much heralded first ‘internet election'.
Rather, the role of digital media will be as an invaluable tool to
support effective on-the-ground communication and campaigning.
The report examines the model of the Obama internet campaign and points
out the critical differences between the US and the UK elections - the
amount of money donated online in the US is significantly greater and
the focus on an individual is critical.
Politicians Get Their Clicks
argues that digital developments in elections in Commonwealth countries
are more relevant in predicting what we might see in the UK 2010
general election.
Click here to download the Digital Paper Politicians Get Their Clicks Sex Education: do you get enough? Monday March 1 - Friday March 19, 2010, HeadsUp.org.uk The young people taking part in the
Sex education - do you get enough? forum,
felt that they did not want to be taught sex education by people they
know, for example their teachers, but felt an outside specialist or
expert in sex education would be preferable and less embarrassing
.
Young people on the forum also suggested that the main way they learned
about sexual relationships was through peer dialogue and the media, but
there was recognition that this was an ineffective and potentially
dangerous way of transmitting vital knowledge about such an important
element of young people's development.
Click here to download the report