Events / Members

Parliamentary Affairs 75th Anniversary Lecture: The Lord Speaker on the future of the House of Lords

7 Dec 2022
The Lord Speaker the Rt Hon the Lord McFall of Alcluith. ©House of Lords / Roger Harris
The Lord Speaker the Rt Hon the Lord McFall of Alcluith. ©House of Lords / Roger Harris

At this members' event, the Lord Speaker set out his thoughts on the future of the House of Lords, addressed concerns regarding the size of the Upper House, set out the benefits of the House's scrutiny work, and considered the constitutional role of the House and its role in our wider society.

7:30pm–8:30pm, 7 December 2022 Members' event (Westminster)

Video recording of the speech by the Lord Speaker on the future of the House of Lords, delivered for the Hansard Society's Parliamentary Affairs 75th Anniversary Lecture

The Lord Speaker, the Rt Hon the Lord McFall of Alcluith, will give his first major public speech on the future of the House of Lords, outlining his vision for the Upper House, at this invite-only event for members and colleagues of the Hansard Society.

The Parliamentary Affairs Anniversary Lecture is the first in a series of events to be hosted by the Hansard Society to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Society's quarterly journal, the first edition of which was published in December 1947.

Premium Members of the Hansard Society receive a print copy of Parliamentary Affairs every quarter, in addition to exclusive invitations to private events like this. You can learn more about our membership options and benefits here.

Careers / Treasurer and Trustees

We are currently recruiting for a new Treasurer and three new Trustees to join our Board. If you have experience in financial management, fundraising, digital communications and stakeholder partnerships we particularly want to hear from you!

01 Aug 2025
Read more

News / Assisted dying bill: Special series #15 - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 103

On Friday 12 September, the House of Lords will debate the Bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. We explore what lies ahead for the Bill in the Upper House with Sir David Beamish, former Clerk of the Parliaments – the Lords’ most senior official. Sharing an insider’s guide to the Chamber’s unique, self-regulating procedures, Sir David explains how the legislative process differs from the Commons, and what that could mean for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill’s potentially long and contested passage. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

13 Aug 2025
Read more

News / The day the King marched on Parliament: King Charles I, five MPs and the road to civil war - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 102

In this episode we speak with historian Jonathan Healey about one of the most extraordinary days in parliamentary history when King Charles I entered the Commons Chamber with soldiers aiming to arrest five MPs. This dramatic moment, vividly recounted in Healey’s new book The Blood in Winter, marked a crucial turning point toward civil war. We explore the power struggles, propaganda, and the geography that shaped the fate of a nation and the Westminster Parliament. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

01 Aug 2025
Read more

News / Parliament gagged by super-injunction? A conversation with Joshua Rozenberg - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 101

Legal expert Joshua Rozenberg joins us this week to unpack the legal and constitutional ramifications of one of the most troubling intersections of government secrecy, national security, and parliamentary accountability in recent memory. Thousands of Afghans who had worked with British forces were placed at risk of Taliban revenge attacks after a catastrophic government data leak in 2022 exposed their details. In response, ministers secured a “super-injunction” – so secret that even its existence could not be reported – effectively silencing public debate and preventing parliamentary scrutiny for almost two years. The breach, only revealed this week, led to a covert resettlement scheme which has already cost taxpayers millions of pounds. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

18 Jul 2025
Read more

News / One year on: How is Parliament performing? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 100

In our 100th episode, we take stock of Parliament one year after the 2024 general election. With a fractured opposition, a dominant Labour government, and a House of Commons still governed by rules designed for a two-party system, how well is this new Parliament really functioning? Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

11 Jul 2025
Read more