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.

Briefings / 14 things to look out for in Parliament this Autumn

When parliamentarians return to Westminster on October 7, all eyes will be on the Budget — the major parliamentary event on the immediate horizon. However, as the Government’s legislative agenda picks up speed and Select Committees get underway, there will be many other important developments to track. In the months ahead, we’ve identified 14 key issues worth watching closely, particularly as some of them may provide crucial signals about how this Government’s approach to and treatment of Parliament compares to its predecessors.

04 Oct 2024
Read more

Blog / Select committee chair elections: what do the results tell us about the new Parliament?

The House of Commons recently held elections for the chairs of its select committees in the new Parliament. But how did this year's elections compare to those of previous years? Were they more competitive? How well were women and ethnic minority MPs represented among the candidates and winners? And what level of parliamentary experience do the newly elected chairs bring to the table?

27 Sep 2024
Read more

News / Select Committee chair elections: who won and can they work together? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 47

In this episode, we explore the outcomes and implications of the latest Select Committee Chair elections in Parliament. The newly elected chairs will play a pivotal role in scrutinising the government, but can they effectively work together? We talk to Dr. Marc Geddes, a leading expert on Select Committees, who highlights how this year’s competitive elections compare to previous parliaments and what that could mean for committee dynamics in the future.

13 Sep 2024
Read more

Events / The inaugural Churchill-Attlee Democracy Lecture, given by the Rt Hon Theresa May MP

To mark the Hansard Society’s 80th anniversary, we have launched the Churchill-Attlee Democracy Lecture in honour of our first members, Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee. The inaugural lecture was given by former Prime Minister the Rt Hon Theresa May MP on 14 May 2024. All proceeds from ticket sales went to our 80th Anniversary Appeal. See below for a video recording and transcript of the event.

14 May 2024
Read more

Blog / MPs and the parliamentary oath of allegiance: A shibboleth under scrutiny?

Before taking their seats, Members of Parliament must legally swear an oath or make an affirmation of allegiance to the Crown. For some MPs this can be uncomfortable, creating a conflict between personal beliefs and legal obligations. Some MPs find themselves compelled to express sentiments they do not genuinely hold, or risk their constituents being deprived of representation. Unlike oaths taken by other office holders, the parliamentary oath does not address public expectations of MPs, nor does it guide MPs in understanding their duties. It has become a symbolic formality, a shibboleth, that could be usefully reformed.

05 Sep 2024
Read more