Journal

In memory of our former Chairman, Sir David Butler (1924-2022)

Former Hansard Society Chairman Sir David Butler alongside our current Chair, Baroness Taylor of Bolton, when she was Leader of the House of Commons. Photo taken during a Hansard Society event in the late 1990s. ©Hansard Society
Former Hansard Society Chairman Sir David Butler alongside our current Chair, Baroness Taylor of Bolton, when she was Leader of the House of Commons. Photo taken during a Hansard Society event in the late 1990s. ©Hansard Society

Sir David Butler was Chairman of the Hansard Society between 1994 and 2001. To mark his long association with the Society, we have brought together a collection of some of his work for us, including some of his articles for our journal, Parliamentary Affairs.

To the wider public Sir David Butler was best known as the inventor of the 'Swingometer' and the resident expert on the BBC's election night programmes. He was just 20 years old when in 1945 he translated that year's constituency General Election results into percentages. In doing so he founded psephology (or election science), explained a party's gains and losses in terms of 'swing', and changed forever the way we would analyse and understand election results. But his interest in politics went much wider than elections: he was passionate about the role and work of politicians and Parliament. This, combined with his commitment to communicating in accessible terms for a mass audience, drew him to support the Hansard Society.

The Case for an Electoral Commission. ©Hansard Society

The Case for An Electoral Commission (1998)

In 1998 Sir David wrote The Case for An Electoral Commission, promoting the merits of an independent body to oversee the administration of elections.

This 'King-Hall Paper' (one of an occasional series of briefings named in honour of our founder Sir Stephen King-Hall) was critical in persuading the Committee on Standards in Public Life to support the proposal which was subsequently enacted by the Labour Government in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. The Electoral Commission began operations the following year.

Cover image to The Chellenge for Parliament. ©Hansard Society

The Challenge for Parliament: Making Government Accountable (2001)

As Chair of the Society, Sir David was the driving force behind the setting-up of our Commission on Parliamentary Scrutiny, chaired by Lord Newton.

The Commission's recommendations were published in 2001, providing a roadmap for parliamentary reform that was taken up by the new Leader of the House of Commons, Robin Cook. The Commission greatly influenced the development of Parliament as a more committee-based institution with a greater scrutiny role played by Select Committees.

Sir David and Tony Benn MP in conversation (2004)

In 2004, as a fundraiser to mark the Society's 60th anniversary, we hosted a fascinating discussion between Sir David and his lifelong friend Tony Benn MP.

David and Tony first met at Oxford University, where they were tutorial partners. Although they were not political allies, they maintained their friendship through the decades and their conversation was full of wonderful political anecdotes and insight spanning both UK and US politics.

Cover image for No Overall Control. ©Hansard Society

No Overall Control? (2008)

In 2008 the Society published No Overall Control: The Impact of a 'Hung Parliament' on British Politics, amid increasing speculation that the next UK General Election might produce a result in which no single party held a majority of seats.

This edited collection of essays explored what the consequences would be for Parliament, the political parties and MPs. Sir David contributed a chapter on the history of hung parliaments, setting out when they had occurred in the past and the factors that might lead them to occur in the future.

To mark Sir David's contribution to Parliamentary Affairs, the quarterly journal of the Hansard Society, we have curated a special collection of some of his articles that will be freely available to download for a limited time.

A comment on Professor Rasumussen's Article (on 'The disutility of the swing concept in British psephology') David Butler (May 1964)

The strength of the Liberals under different electoral systems David Butler, Arthur Stevens and Donald Stokes (September 1968)

The Australian Crisis of 1975 David Butler (March 1976)

The renomination of MPs David Butler (March 1978)

A level playing field for British elections? David Butler and Roger Mortimore (April 1992)

The Legacy of Stephen King-Hall David Butler (October 1994)

Electoral reform David Butler (October 2004)

Join the Hansard Society as a Premium Member and receive the print edition of our journal, Parliamentary Affairs, every quarter.

Briefings / Last-minute powers and limited scrutiny: Parliament and the risks of consigning online safety law to delegated legislation

Two late-stage government amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill would grant Ministers significant powers to reshape key parts of the Online Safety Act through delegated legislation. While the policy goals may attract support, the method raises serious constitutional concerns about parliamentary scrutiny and accountability. Using these amendments as a case study, this briefing explores the risks of relying on regulations to make policy and explains how the Hansard Society’s proposed reforms to the delegated legislation scrutiny system could better balance governmental flexibility with democratic oversight.

09 Mar 2026
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News / Is the assisted dying bill being filibustered? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 135

Debate over the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has been so slow in the House of Lords that opponents of the Bill are accused of deliberately running down the clock. Conservative Peer Lord Harper rejects claims of filibustering, arguing that Peers are undertaking necessary scrutiny of a flawed and complex bill. He contends the legislation lacks adequate safeguards and was unsuited to the Private Member’s Bill process and discusses whether MPs might attempt to revive it in a future parliamentary Session. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS

10 Mar 2026
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Blog / The Backbench Business Committee 15 years on: Has it given backbench MPs a stronger voice in the House of Commons?

Fifteen years after its creation, the Backbench Business Committee has become an important mechanism through which MPs can secure debates and raise issues in the House of Commons. Drawing on new research analysing debate transcripts and interviews with MPs, Ministers and officials, this blogpost analyses the Committee’s impact on parliamentary agenda-setting and cross-party campaigning. It highlights how the Committee has transformed opportunities for backbenchers while identifying ongoing challenges around participation, transparency and the Committee’s potential role in representing backbench interests more broadly.

07 Mar 2026
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News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 9-13 March 2026

The Treasury Committee questions Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the OBR, and the IFS, on the Spring Forecast. The Chancellor also faces MPs’ oral questions. MPs will for the first time debate the legislation – the Courts and Tribunals Bill – that proposes to abolish jury trials. They will also consider proposed Government powers to restrict children’s access to social media, complete the final stages of the Bill to implement the Autumn Budget, and hold a debate to mark International Women’s Day. In the Lords, the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill returns for consideration of amendments. Peers also continue their scrutiny of the Crime and Policing, Victims and Courts, Tobacco and Vapes, and National Insurance Contributions Bills, while the assisted dying bill reaches its eleventh day in Committee.

08 Mar 2026
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News / Starmer, Iran, and Parliament’s role in war powers - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 134

What role does Parliament play when the UK is involved in military action? In this week’s episode, we explore the evolving practice of parliamentary war powers, sparked by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s response to recent developments in Iran and the Middle East. We discuss the royal prerogative, the uncertain post-Iraq convention on war powers, and proposals to codify Parliament’s role. Plus, we discuss the return of the Hereditary Peers Bill, proposals to increase MPs’ pay, scrutiny of defence spending, and the Spring Statement and wider economic outlook. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS

06 Mar 2026
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