Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Alan Renwick

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 1d

'Democracy is not just about voting, but it is also about thinking through the issues and working out what you think.'

Our Deputy Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, appeared on David Runciman's Past Present Future podcast to talk about referendums.

Listen on YouTube 👇

Fixing Democracy: What’s Wrong with Referendums?

In today’s episode David talks to Alan Renwick from UCL’s Constitution Unit about the pros and cons of referendums. When does a democratic question need to be put direct to the people? Do some…

www.youtube.com

5 5

Reposted by Alan Renwick

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 2d

'Democracy is not just about voting, but it is also about thinking through the issues and working out what you think.'

Our Deputy Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, is on the latest episode of David Runciman's Past Present Future podcast discussing referendums.

Listen on YouTube 👇

Fixing Democracy: What’s Wrong with Referendums?

In today’s episode David talks to Alan Renwick from UCL’s Constitution Unit about the pros and cons of referendums. When does a democratic question need to be put direct to the people? Do some…

www.youtube.com

1 4

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · 2d

Lovely to talk referendums with the ever-insightful David Runciman. This is part of a series on how to fix democracy's problems - definitely worth a listen if you haven't done so yet!

Past Present Future Podcast @ppfideas.bsky.social · 4d

NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!

In today’s episode David talks to @alanrenwick.bsky.social from UCL’s Constitution Unit about the pros & cons of referendums. How can they be used to open up political debate? When does a democratic question need to be put direct to the people?

Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com

3 5

Reposted by Alan Renwick

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 27d

NEW BLOG: Government plans for electoral reform are welcome but contain one serious error of judgement

@alanrenwick.bsky.social argues much of what the government proposes is good. But the newly appointed ministers responsible for elections will need to make further progress on some crucial matters

Government plans for electoral reform are welcome but contain one serious error of judgement

Much of what the government proposes is good. But the newly appointed ministers responsible for elections will need to make further progress on some crucial matters

constitution-unit.com

1 3 3

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · 27d

Thank you! Yes, I agree, and your piece on this is really good. All power to you in pushing it!

I'd mention some other points too (better information provision might top my list). The post was already long, so I focused just on what's in the government paper. But there's a lot more to say!

1

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · 27d

Thoughts from me on the UK government's elections policy paper.

In short: many good things, but several points don't go far enough, and there is one big mistake.

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 27d

NEW BLOG: Government plans for electoral reform are welcome but contain one serious error of judgement

@alanrenwick.bsky.social argues much of what the government proposes is good. But the newly appointed ministers responsible for elections will need to make further progress on some crucial matters

Government plans for electoral reform are a welcome start, but contain one surprising and serious error of judgement

Much of what the government proposes is good. But the newly appointed ministers responsible for elections will need to make further progress on some crucial matters

constitution-unit.com

1 12 22

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · Sep 5

Many congratulations to my great colleague Luis Schenoni on this wonderful, richly deserved achievement!

@uclspp.bsky.social

European Consortium for Political Research @ecpr.bsky.social · Sep 5

👏 We're excited to announce that @llschenoni.bsky.social has won our Hedley Bull Prize in #InternationalRelations!

🏆 Luis' book, 'Bringing War Back In', beautifully weaves a myriad of methods with robust analytical findings, as described by our jury #ECPRPrizes

Read more 👉 buff.ly/M7VEszk

Luis L. Schenoni is awarded our 2025 Hedley Bull Prize

European Consortium for Political Research

buff.ly

1 4

Reposted by Alan Renwick

Political Quarterly @politicalquarterly.bsky.social · Jul 23

Listen to 'Uncovering Politics' for expert insights into both the immediate drivers of the 2024 result and the longer-term transformations reshaping UK politics.

With @martamiori.bsky.social @psurridge.bsky.social @profjanegreen.bsky.social @alanrenwick.bsky.social

UCL Uncovering Politics - Listen on Spotify - Linktree

View uclpoliticalscience’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!

linktr.ee

3 6

Reposted by Alan Renwick

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · Jul 17

This, by @alanrenwick.bsky.social, is spot on about the dire impact of Prime Minister's Questions - the flagship event of the parliamentary week.
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

6 35 99

Reposted by Alan Renwick

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · Jul 17

'They should be the start of an ongoing process of fundamental democratic renewal. And on some of the matters requiring further change, the need for action is urgent.'

Read our Deputy Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social's, instant analysis of the elections white paper for @uclpolicylab.bsky.social 👇

Plans for electoral reform mark a major step forward in reforming our democracy

Speaking at the civil society summit, Sir Keir Starmer outlined a range of democratic reforms, including the introduction of votes for 16-year-olds. Professor Alan Renwick provides his in-depth…

www.ucl.ac.uk

1 13 18

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · Jul 15

Don't miss the UCL Constitution Unit's new Monitor, out today.

It's filled, as ever, with analysis of constitutional developments over the past four months or so - Lords reform electoral reform, devolution, and lots more.

@conunitucl.bsky.social

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · Jul 15

The latest edition of our regular constitutional review is now available!

Monitor 90 describes this government's constitutional reform scorecard as 'mixed'. It says that much remains to be done and progress in some areas has been disappointing.

Read it 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution....

2 7

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · Jul 10

Fascinating discussion of the current English devolution plans, particularly exploring their effects on democracy.

Thank you to all three speakers for bringing such insight and clarity.

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · Jul 10

England's 'devolution revolution': prospects and challenges

We hosted a timely event this afternoon (held just before the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was published) all about English devolution, with Bella Sankey, Roger Gough and @ariannagiovannini.bsky.social.

Watch it 👇

England’s ‘devolution revolution’: prospects and challenges

YouTube video by UCL Constitution Unit

www.youtube.com

2 5

Reposted by Alan Renwick

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · Jul 10

The government has announced that the voting system for mayoral and PCC elections will be changed back to SV.

Our Deputy Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, said last year that the switch to FPTP in 2022 harmed democracy and called for it to be reversed 👉 constitution-unit.com/2024/05/24/t....

5. Voting system

Currently, Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are elected using the First Past the Post system. When voting under this system, each elector casts a single vote for their preferred candidate, and the candidate with the most votes is elected.

This is a simple voting system but it can lead to individuals being elected with only a small proportion of the total votes cast. The government believes that Mayors and PCCs should be elected with a greater consensus among their electors. Therefore, the Bill will change the voting system for these types of elections to the Supplementary Vote system.

When voting under the Supplementary Vote system, each elector selects their preferred candidate, and they can also select a second preference if they wish. When the votes are counted, if a candidate receives more than 50% of the first preference votes they are elected. If not, then the top two candidates with most first preference votes go through to a final round, and the other candidates are eliminated. If the votes for any of the eliminated candidates selected a second preference for either of the remaining candidates, then they are reassigned to that candidate. The votes are then recounted, and the remaining candidate with most votes is elected.

This process will ensure that a winning candidate will need to receive a broader level of support.

3 24 48

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · Jul 10

Yes.

1

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · Jul 10

Great to see that the English Devolution Bill, published today, restores the Supplementary Vote system for electing mayors and PCCs.

In a blogpost last year, I set out why the switch to FPTP in 2022 was bad for democracy, and why reversing that move is good.

constitution-unit.com/2024/05/24/t...

The new voting system for mayors and PCCs: how it affects democracy

This month’s elections for mayors and police and crime commissioners were contested under a revised voting system. In a post published yesterday, Alan Renwick found that this change had a substanti…

constitution-unit.com

9 21 91

Reposted by Alan Renwick

Jane Green @profjanegreen.bsky.social · Jul 9

I think, between us, there are some gems of insight here - thanks to @alanrenwick.bsky.social and colleagues @uclspp.bsky.social

Political Quarterly @politicalquarterly.bsky.social · Jul 9

The latest episode of 'Uncovering Politics' unpacks the seismic shifts that led to the remarkable 2024 UK election result.

Feat. @martamiori.bsky.social @psurridge.bsky.social @profjanegreen.bsky.social @alanrenwick.bsky.social @uclspp.bsky.social

Listen now:

UCL Uncovering Politics - Listen on Spotify - Linktree

View uclpoliticalscience’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!

linktr.ee

6 7

Reposted by Alan Renwick

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · Jul 9

Today the House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill is set to have its second day of report stage in the Lords.

We will mainly be looking out for amendment 23, from Crossbencher Lord (Terry) Burns. This would cap the chamber's size at 650 and limit prime ministerial appointments.

A thread 👇

13 54 150

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · Jul 3

Just one week to go before this great panel of speakers gathers to discuss one of the biggest political reforms currently on the agenda in the UK.

Please do sign up through the link below!

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · Jul 3

England's 'devolution revolution': prospects and challenges

In one week, join Bella Sankey, Roger Gough and ‪@ariannagiovannini.bsky.social‬ to discuss this government's promise of a ‘devolution revolution’ in England, at a local and regional level.

Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution....

The Constitution Unit. England's 'devolution revolution': prospects and challenges. 10 July 2025, 1:00pm–2:15pm. Bella Sankey (Labour Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council and Deputy Leader of the Local Government Association Labour Group). Roger Gough (Former Conservative Leader of Kent County Council). Prof Arianna Giovannini (Professor of Political Sociology at the University of Urbino and former Director of IPPR North). Chair: Prof Alan Renwick (Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit).

1 1

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · Jun 30

Important new polling on Lords reform from my @conunitucl.bsky.social colleague Meg Russell.

There is very wide public support for going further than ministers are currently proposing.

👇👇

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · Jun 30

We have new opinion polling on House of Lords reform!

There is overwhelming public support to go beyond the government's current plans to remove hereditary peers (due to be debated in the Lords on Wednesday), including to limit prime ministerial appointments and cap the chamber's size.

A thread 👇

2 3

Reposted by Alan Renwick

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · Jun 28

'In short, the shifting sands of politics are making electoral reform more likely. But almost certainly not before the 2030s. And much will depend on how the party system evolves in the years to come.'

@alanrenwick.bsky.social responds to recent polling in @uk.theconversation.com.

Read it 👇

Survey shows support for electoral reform now at 60% – so could it happen?

It’s not impossible, but don’t expect a change before the next election.

theconversation.com

2 5 4

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · Jun 27

New thoughts from me in @theconversation.com:

Q: Could electoral reform actually happen in the UK?

A: Yes, the chances are rising - but not till after the next general election at the earliest.

theconversation.com/survey-shows...

Survey shows support for electoral reform now at 60% – so could it happen?

It’s not impossible, but don’t expect a change before the next election.

theconversation.com

4 8

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · Jun 25

It was such a pleasure to be part of this rich discussion of deliberative democracy and climate change earlier this month.

Read a summary and watch the whole video on the link below.

Many thanks to all at @gchuoxford.bsky.social for organizing it!

Global Centre on Healthcare and Urbanisation (GCHU) @gchuoxford.bsky.social · Jun 24

📜 New Blog 📜 GCHU Research Associate Dr Alison Chisholm shares insights from the Deliberative Democracy and Climate Justice panel discussion held in Oxford as part of the Right Here Right Now global summit.

Read the full blog and access the event recording at: www.gchu.org.uk/2025/06/deli...

2 7

Reposted by Alan Renwick

alchisholm.bsky.social @alchisholm.bsky.social · Jun 22

Excellent words from @alanrenwick.bsky.social

"The core of democracy lies in respectful dialogue across diverse perspectives among and between representatives and the wider public. Such dialogue is currently badly corroded."

www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/views/letter...

2 9

Alan Renwick @alanrenwick.bsky.social · Jun 20

If you missed any or all of this year's Constitution Unit summer conference, recordings of all sessions are now available.

We had some lively debates and lots of great insights. All very much worth your attention!

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · Jun 19

And that is a wrap on our 2025 conference, focusing on Labour's constitutional agenda in office!

Recordings of every session are now available.

We kicked off at 10am yesterday with an opening keynote from, and questions to, Nick Thomas-Symonds.

Read about the speech and watch a recording 👇

Minister for the Cabinet Office delivers keynote speech at Constitution Unit conference

Nick Thomas-Symonds MP gave the keynote speech on the first day of the Constitution Unit’s annual conference today, focusing on what constitutional reform means for UK democracy and the public.

www.ucl.ac.uk

5 9