Blogs - Hansard Society

Welcome

The Hansard Society is made up of five programmes that inform decision makers and engage the public by:

Providing a platform for debate on the reform of Parliament;
Pushing the boundaries of technology and its public engagement potential;
Creating free resources to help citizenship teachers present the curriculum in an innovative way;
Bringing students from across the globe to study the British political system.

Connecting young people with democracy

First time voters question MPs in Parliament

With the general election less than six months away a group of young people from around London have been interviewing politicians in Parliament to quiz them about issues that affect them. The group are aged 13 to 19, meaning some of them will be voting for the first time in the forthcoming election. The collaborative project has been organised by the Hansard Society's citizenship education programme and Headliners - a journalism programme for young people aged 8 to 19.
MEPs grilled by young voters at Y Vote event
We are Yet to Diffuse the Democratic Demographic Time Bomb
Raw Deal or Truth Told? Young People in the Media
Y Vote European Mock Elections

Exploring the social and political impacts of technology

Birds of a feather?

Twitter is a hot topic and the media love the Twitter angle. But how much value is Twitter adding to the political debate and, realistically, what expectations should we have for Twitter during the forthcoming campaign? A look at recent Twitter activity suggests that in reality Twitter’s real value lies in keeping in touch with the already highly engaged and as a conduit to the mainstream media.
Digital Papers: Twitter: Communication tool or pointless vanity?
Digital Papers: MPs on Facebook
Our top five priorities for the Director of Digital Engagement
The internet is a great tool for transparency in public life

Monitoring devolution and its effect on Scotland

The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: The First Decade (Edited by Charlie Jeffery and James Mitchell)

The Hansard Society has launched its latest publication The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: The First Decade (Edited by Charlie Jeffery and James Mitchell). In this edited collection of essays, distinguished commentators, academics and parliamentarians discuss some of the key issues in the development of the Scottish Parliament over the last decade.
The National Conversation
MPs in Schools Scotland resource packs
Hansard Society Scotland at 2007 SNP Conference

Research and ideas on Parliament and politics

Hansard Society evidence on MPs' expenses

Peter Riddell, Chair of the Hansard Society, and Dr Ruth Fox, Director of the Parliament and Government Programme, have appeared before the Committee on Standards in Public Life to give evidence to assist the Committee's investigation into MPs' expenses. They recommended to the Committee that 'thorough changes' to the system are needed, and that the Committee should 'aim above the bar'.

The appearance followed the Hansard Society's submission of written evidence to the Committee, which presented the findings of our research in the areas of public trust and engagement and made a range of suggestions for reforming the current expenses system.
Representative democracy article for Democracy Live
Timetabling of business in the House of Commons
Hansard Society evidence on MPs' expenses
Restoring Trust in the House of Lords

Learning about British politics from the inside

Apply for the Summer 2010 Hansard Scholars Programme!

If you’re interested in doing a unique political internship in the Houses of Parliament, a UK government department, a campaign organisation or the media, as well as studying British politics at the London School of Economics, you can now apply for the Spring 2010 Hansard Scholars Programme. 2010 really will be a fascinating time to be involved in British politics and you can be a part of this – witnessing the changes, conflicts and developments first hand as they emerge.
Hansard Society Trustees' Scholarship Awards
Hansard Scholars Visit Edinburgh
What they've said about the Hansard Scholars Programme
Hansard Scholars Programme - Frequently Asked Questions