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

Young people turn away from main parties in European Mock Elections

Independents and ‘others’ attract under-18s / Conservatives are largest party / Greens do particularly well with young people

Young people taking part in the Hansard Society Y Vote Mock Elections for the European Parliament returned fewer MEPs for the main political parties than their adult counterparts in the real Euro elections. All major parties saw a drop in support; the Conservative Party was the largest party with 17 seats and the Green Party was the only one that performed better in the mock elections. However, independents and parties created by pupils themselves were the big winners.
Young people turn away from main parties in European Mock Elections
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

Exploring the social and political impacts of technology

Digital Papers: MPs on Facebook

This new research paper examines how parliamentarians are using social media. It describes how MPs are largely using Facebook as a one-way publishing medium and how this ignores the real benefits of social media. Most MPs have a long way to go before they can claim to truly understand the power of social media.
Our top five priorities for the Director of Digital Engagement
The internet is a great tool for transparency in public life
Director of Digital Engagement appointed
Under the bonnet: The engines that drive digital democracy

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

Audit of Political Engagement 6

The annual Audit of Political Engagement carried out by the Hansard Society measures the nature and extent of political engagement and reveals where views have changed - and where they remain constant. It offers a yearly snapshot of political knowledge and engagement in Britain.

Audit 6 has a special focus on the public's attitudes to political participation and citizenship and explores issues such as the degree to which people want to be actively involved in decision-making locally and nationally, how influential in decision-making they feel they are, and how satisfied they are with the system of governance in Britain. This Audit indicates that an ‘Obama effect' may be developing among British black and ethnic minorities (BMEs):

- 41% of BMEs agree that ‘when people like me get involved in politics, they really can change the way that the country is run' compared to 31% of whites - a 10% increase since 2007
- 42% of BMEs are ‘very' or ‘fairly' interested in politics -a 15% increase since 2007
- 43% think the present system of governing works well compared to 32% of whites - the first time in six annual Audits that BME respondents are more optimistic than whites

Download the full Audit of Political Engagement 6
Evidence to the Speaker's Conference on Parliamentary Representation
People and Parliament: Hansard Society gives evidence to the Lords Information Committee
Audit of Political Engagement 6
Handling a legislative emergency

Learning about British politics from the inside

Last Chance to Apply for the Autumn 2009 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, there's still time to apply for the Autumn 2009 Hansard Scholars Programme. 2009 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 Scholars Visit Edinburgh
What they've said about the Hansard Scholars Programme
Hansard Scholars Programme - Frequently Asked Questions