The recent book by journalist and author Ian Dunt provides a detailed and critical account of many aspects of the UK’s political system, including political parties and elections, parliament and the legislative process, the work of ministers and civil servants in Whitehall, and the role of the media. The book analyses various perceived problems, and proposes a range of possible solutions. In this seminar Ian presents some of his key arguments, and responds to comments and questions from a panel of experts and the online audience. Speakers: Ian Dunt, journalist and authorDr Ruth Fox, Director of the Hansard SocietyJill Rutter, Senior Research Fellow at UK in a Changing Europe and Senior Fellow at the Institute for GovernmentProfessor Alan Renwick, Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL Chair: Dr Tom Fleming, Constitution Unit, UCLYou can buy Ian's book here.

Adopting a more proportional electoral system is opposed by the Conservative Party, and by the Labour leader, but attracts growing support elsewhere. Would such reform be desirable or practical, and what might be its consequences? What might politicians wish to consider regarding other aspects of our elections, such as the minimum voting age, voter ID rules, or the reform proposals of the Law Commissions? How might any such changes be delivered?SpeakersCat Smith MP – Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood and former shadow minister for the Cabinet OfficeLord (Robert) Hayward – Conservative peerJohn Pullinger – Chair of the Electoral CommissionProfessor Sarah Birch – Professor of Political Science at King’s College LondonChair: Professor Alan Renwick – Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL

This final keynote session considered the practicalities of delivering constitutional change in the round, whether under the current government, or a new Conservative, Labour, or coalition administration after the next general election. What kinds of changes might be ‘quick wins’, and which might instead take longer to deliver? How is the balance to be reached between public consultation, parliamentary scrutiny and achieving desired changes? Two senior figures with huge experience at the heart of British government reflected on these challenges.SpeakersLord (Charlie) Falconer of Thoroton – Labour peer, and former Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord ChancellorDavid Lidington – former Conservative MP for Aylesbury, and former Minister for the Cabinet Office, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Lord Chancellor, and Leader of the House of CommonsChair: Professor Meg Russell FBA – Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL

The issue of ensuring high standards of behaviour in public life remains high-profile following the Johnson and Truss premierships. Rishi Sunak pledged to lead a government of ‘integrity, professionalism, and accountability’ when he first became Prime Minister, while Labour has proposed an extensive overhaul to the UK’s system of standards regulation. What are the key problems in the current system, and what reforms could most successfully address them?SpeakersLord (David) Anderson of Ipswich – Crossbench peer, and former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism LegislationDr Hannah White – Director of the Institute for GovernmentJeremy Wright MP – Conservative MP for Kenilworth and Southam, former Attorney General and former member of the Committee on Standards in Public LifeChair: Professor Meg Russell FBA – Director of the Constitution Unit, UCL

Relations between the political branches and the courts have been strained in recent years. Pushback against the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights has spilled over into determined attempts to ‘clip the wings’ of the UK’s own courts, with renewed interest in ‘ouster clauses' and attempts to repeal the Human Rights Act, against a steady drumbeat of complaint that courts have become too powerful in our constitutional arrangements. How can the damage be repaired? What should be the priorities of a future government interested in restoring the UK’s battered reputation as a rule of law-regarding nation?Speakers includeLaura Farris MP – Conservative MP for Newbury and former practising barrister at MatrixEmily Thornberry MP - Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury, and Shadow Attorney GeneralFiona Rutherford – Chief Executive, JusticeChair: Murray Hunt – Director of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law