Publications

Publications

Leading research on parliaments and political engagement.

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For over 70 years the Hansard Society has produced leading research on parliaments, political engagement and democratic innovation. The majority of our publications are available to download for free.

Briefings / General election rules and regulations: what has changed?

With a general election on the horizon there has been a spate of new legislation and regulations to implement changes to the way the election will be run, with consequences for voters and electoral administrators. Parliament has not always had a role in approving these changes. This briefing sets out the core changes to the electoral process that have been implemented since the last general election in 2019, the role that Parliament has played in scrutinising and approving them, and the risks arising from these changes.

26 Apr 2024
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Guides / The Parliament Act 1911: A procedural guide

The Parliament Act 1911 is one of the UK's most important constitutional laws. It removed the veto of the House of Lords over legislation (subject to certain conditions) and has been central ever since to the centuries-old debate about the proper role of the House of Lords in our democratic system.

24 Mar 2024
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Submissions / Commons scrutiny of Secretaries of State in the House of Lords: Evidence to the House of Commons Procedure Committee

Following the appointment of the Rt Hon Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton to the role of Foreign Secretary on 13 November 2023, we submitted evidence to the Procedure Committee inquiry into the options for MPs to effectively scrutinise Secretaries of State in the House of Lords and the work of their departments.

18 Dec 2023
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Briefings / The Criminal Justice Bill: Concerns about the delegated powers

Ahead of the Criminal Justice Bill’s Committee stage in the House of Commons, this briefing paper focuses on three clauses in the Bill that contain delegated powers that are of particular concern and that highlight different aspects of the problems with the system of delegated powers.

11 Dec 2023
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Publications / Delegated Legislation: What types are there, and how are they made?

Delegated legislation is the most common form of legislation in the United Kingdom. It is the legislation of everyday life, impacting millions of citizens daily. But the terminology and procedures that surround it are complex and often confusing. This explainer unpacks delegated legislation - the terminology and Parliament's role in scrutinising it - to reveal more about how delegated legislation really works.

05 Dec 2023
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Briefings / 6 things to look out for in Parliament in the next Session

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Guides / What is the King’s Speech?

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Guides / The King’s Speech and State Opening of Parliament: A procedural and constitutional guide

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Guides / What is the debate on the ‘Address’?

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Guides / What is the King’s Speech?

06 Nov 2023
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Guides / Can MPs amend the Budget?

12 Mar 2023
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Guides / What is the Finance Bill?

12 Mar 2023
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Guides / What is the Budget?

11 Mar 2023
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Guides / What is the Estimates cycle?

07 Mar 2023
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Guides / What are Estimates?

07 Mar 2023
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Guides / What is a Money Bill?

07 Mar 2023
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Publications / A New Normal? Parliament after Brexit

09 Mar 2020
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Guides / What is a Presentation Bill?

13 Dec 2019
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Guides / What is a Ballot Bill?

13 Dec 2019
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Briefings / What next for e-petitions?

18 May 2012
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Reports / MPs and Politics In Our Time

01 Jan 2005
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Reports / Opening Up The Usual Channels

02 Dec 2002
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undefined / Procedural and constitutional guides

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Guides / Private Members' Bills (PMBs)

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