News

News and coverage

News, press releases, selected coverage, and media appearances and contributions.

Photo of someone conducting a video interview

Hansard Society staff are happy to speak to the media about our research and recommendations. The Society’s research team features regularly in broadcast, print and online media, and staff write and contribute to news and comment articles.

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What's coming up in Parliament this week? (21-25 October)

The House of Commons will formally appoint the members of some of its select committees this week, following internal elections in the parliamentary parties. Questions remain about if and how the minor parties will be represented. Also this week, 78 Presentation Bills will receive their First Reading: one MP alone will present 30 of them. MPs will debate the Employment Rights Bill for the first time, though much of the policy detail is deferred to later regulations. And both Houses will vote on regulations implementing the first round of compensation payments for victims of the contaminated blood scandal, marking an important step in addressing this decades-long scandal.

20 Oct 2024
Read more

News / The end of hereditary peers in the House of Lords? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 49 transcript

MPs debated the bill to abolish hereditary peers’ right to sit and vote in the House of Lords. But what were the opposition’s arguments? We reflect on the Government's first 100 days: is it improving legislative standards? Twenty Private Members’ Bills were announced this week: which ones may get traction? And a new Speaker’s Conference on the safety of MPs and candidates has been established. So, what is it, and what might it do?

18 Oct 2024
Read more

News / The end of hereditary peers in the House of Lords? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 49

MPs debated the bill to abolish hereditary peers’ right to sit and vote in the House of Lords. But what were the opposition’s arguments? We reflect on the Government's first 100 days: is it improving legislative standards? Twenty Private Members’ Bills were announced this week: which ones may get traction? And a new Speaker’s Conference on the safety of MPs and candidates has been established. So, what is it, and what might it do?

18 Oct 2024
Read more

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What's coming up in Parliament this week? (14-18 October)

This week, attention will be on the 20 MPs set to present their Private Members' Bills in the House of Commons on Wednesday, with particular focus on Kim Leadbeater’s 'assisted dying' bill. MPs will debate key Government legislation, including a bill to remove the remaining 90 hereditary peers from the House of Lords and another bill aimed at strengthening protections against terrorism through Martyn’s Law. Meanwhile, media reports suggest the formal internal party processes to choose members of the House of Commons Select Committees will begin this week.

13 Oct 2024
Read more

News / Electing party leaders: who should decide? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 48

The Conservative leadership race is heating up, but should MPs alone choose their leader? Should MPs who resign their party's whip face by-elections? On 29 November, MPs are expected to debate the controversial 'assisted dying' bill - will it stymie other Private Members’ Bills? Meanwhile, Nigel Farage is pushing for a parliamentary debate and vote on the government's deal regarding the Chagos Islands. Will he get his way?

11 Oct 2024
Read more