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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 2d

🎧 What happens when the most powerful person in the country suddenly… isn’t?
With Margaret Thatcher’s centenary approaching, and her legacy still dividing the Tory faithful, we talk to @expremiers.bsky.social about his new book exploring her life and politics after No 10.

Former Prime Ministers: The role of Parliament in life after No 10 - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 109

In this episode, we speak with Peter Just, author of a new book, Margaret Thatcher: Life After Downing Street. Peter explores how Thatcher reinvented herself after her departure to maintain her…

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 5d

🎧 PODCAST - Former Prime Ministers: The role of Parliament in life after No 10

We talk to @expremiers.bsky.social about his new book on Margaret Thatcher's time after No 10, and about how other ex-PMs have spent their parliamentary afterlife.

Listen below🔽

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Parliament Matters: A podcast about the institution at the heart of our democracy

Join two of the UK’s leading parliamentary experts, Mark D’Arcy and Ruth Fox, as they guide you through the often mysterious ways our politicians do business and explore the running controversies…

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Reposted by Hansard Society

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

Did you hear @ruxandrasrbn.bsky.social on @hansardsociety.bsky.social's Parliament Matters podcast a few weeks ago?

The episode was about Prime Minister's Questions, including France and Canada's experimentation with PMQs and why it may be time to retire the 'engagements' question.

Listen 👇

Prime Minister's Questions: Westminster's weekly gladiatorial combat

Every Wednesday at noon, the House of Commons chamber comes alive with Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), the loudest, most theatrical half-hour in British politics. To some it’s democratic…

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 12d

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 12d

LATEST PODCAST | What are the Usual Channels? A short history of Westminster whipping

We talk to @sebwhale.bsky.social about his new book, pulling back the curtain on one of Westminster's most notorious elements: the Whips.

Listen below 🔽
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What are the Usual Channels? A short history of Westminster whipping - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 108

In this episode, we talk to political journalist Seb Whale about his new book, The Usual Channels, which reveals the hidden world of Westminster’s whips. Seb charts how party discipline has evolved –…

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Reposted by Hansard Society

Ruth Fox @ruthfox.bsky.social · 14d

1/ Concerns are rising in Westminster over the Chagos deal and the UK’s trade agreements with the US, EU & India.

If we want better economic, trade and foreign-policy decisions, MPs need the tools – and the will – to hold government to account. 👇

UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 14d

Today's free, online event is now starting!

Join Lord (Peter) Goldsmith, @arabellalaw.bsky.social and @clareadamsonmsp.bsky.social to discuss how the UK's parliaments should scrutinise international agreements.

You can still sign up to watch and ask questions 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

The Constitution Unit. How should the UK's parliaments scrutinise international agreements? 24 September 2025, 1:00pm–2:00pm. Lord (Peter) Goldsmith KC (Chair of the International Agreements Committee and former Attorney General). Arabella Lang (Head of Public Law at the Law Society and Visiting Fellow at the University of Essex). Clare Adamson MSP (SNP MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, and Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee). Chair: Lisa James (Senior Research Fellow at the Constitution Unit).

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 15d

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 15d

BLOG | Treaty scrutiny: addressing the accountability gap

In this guest blog, chair of @HLIntAgreements Lord Goldsmith KC outlines the Committee’s new report calling for stronger parliamentary oversight of treaties.

Read the blog post below 🔽

www.hansardsociety.org.uk/blog/treaty-...

Treaty scrutiny: addressing the accountability gap

In this guest blog, Lord Goldsmith KC, Chair of the House of Lords International Agreements Committee (IAC), sets out the findings of the Committee’s latest report urging reform of Parliament's…

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 18d

🎙️ NEW: Peers back the #AssistedDying Bill at 2nd Reading...then hit pause.

A new Lords select committee will now gather evidence before clause-by-clause scrutiny.

Catch up with the latest twists and turns on Parliament Matters
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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 19d

Our briefing breaks down:
• Day 1 highlights & why they matter today
• Who’s speaking in today’s debate
• Key motions & amendments for decision
• What a possible select committee could mean for the #AssistedDying Bill’s next stages
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Assisted dying bill: What will happen at Second Reading on Friday 19 September?

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - the Bill to legalise assisted dying - has passed through the House of Commons and now reached the House of Lords. A rare two-day Second Reading debate…

www.hansardsociety.org.uk

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 19d

It's a big day for the #AssistedDying Bill as the House of Lords decides on its Second Reading. Thanks to @politico.eu for sharing our briefing on today’s speakers, votes & amendments in their London Playbook newsletter.

Link to the briefing is in the post below. 👇

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 20d

UPDATE - Assisted dying bill: what will happen at tomorrow's debate?

Following a compromise deal to establish a select committee to consider the bill, we've updated our blog on what to expect at tomorrow's debate.

Read below🔽
www.hansardsociety.org.uk/blog/assiste...

Assisted dying bill: What will happen at Second Reading on Friday 19 September?

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - the Bill to legalise assisted dying - has passed through the House of Commons and now reached the House of Lords. A rare two-day Second Reading debate be...

www.hansardsociety.org.uk

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 21d

Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with our work, including new publications, podcast episodes, research, and events.
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Understand how Parliament works and what needs to change — Sign up for expert analysis

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 21d

BLOG | What will happen at this Friday's assisted dying bill debate?

With the Second Reading debate resuming this Friday, we explain the motions and amendments on which the House of Lords will vote, and how these may impact later stages.

Read below 🔽

www.hansardsociety.org.uk/blog/assiste...

Assisted dying bill: What will happen at Second Reading on Friday 19 September?

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - the Bill to legalise assisted dying - has passed through the House of Commons and now reached the House of Lords. A rare two-day Second Reading debate…

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 22d

This afternoon, SNP MP @kirstysnp.bsky.social will present a Ten Minute Rule Bill to remove the two-child limit on universal credit.

What is a Ten Minute Rule Bill and how do they become law? Our guide explains 🔽

What is a Ten Minute Rule Bill?

Ten Minute Rule Bills are essentially policy aims put into legislative language in order to secure a 10-minute speaking slot during 'primetime' in the House of Commons Chamber after Question Time on…

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 22d

Subscribe below to receive our weekly analysis of the week ahead in Parliament every weekend.
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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 22d

TUESDAY: What's coming up in Parliament today?

🟢 Sentencing Bill (Second Reading)
🚨 Emergency debate on Lord Mandelson's removal
🔴 Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (Committee)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ten Minute Rule Bill on two-child cap

Read more below 🔽
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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 23d

Subscribe below to receive our weekly analysis of the week ahead in Parliament every weekend.
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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 23d

MONDAY: What's coming up in Parliament today?

🟢 Employment Rights Bill (Lords amendments)
🔴 Planning and Infrastructure Bill (Committee)
🏫 Westminster Hall: Debate on SEND reform

More detail below 🔽
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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 24d

🗓️ Stay in the loop: Get the Parliament Matters Bulletin — your weekly guide to Westminster — delivered to your inbox every Sunday.

Read it, subscribe, and share with colleagues, friends or family who’d find it useful! 👇
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Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 15-19 September 2025

Peers will vote on the assisted dying bill’s Second Reading, while MPs will question the new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood MP and Lord Chancellor David Lammy MP. The Commons will debate the…

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 24d

Amid Westminster's turmoil — resignations, reshuffles and scandal — what truly affects our lives is what Parliament is actually doing: making laws, shaping policy, deciding spending.

Our impartial Parliament Matters Bulletin keeps the focus on Westminster’s work each week.👇

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 25d

🎙️ NEW: 200 Peers. 2 days of debate. Political chess.

The Second Reading isn’t the end—it’s just the opening move.

Former Clerk of the Parliaments Sir David Beamish joins us to decode the drama behind the Assisted Dying Bill’s marathon Lords debate.

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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 26d

Debate on the #AssistedDying Bill isn't just about moral arguments but also parliamentary process and rules. To see where decisions are really made in the Lords, you need to know the legislative steps. This paper explains how and when the Bill can be shaped or stalled.
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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 26d

🎥 Watching the #AssistedDying Bill in the House of Lords? Our briefing will help you make sense of every step of the Lords legislative process. It covers FAQs about the Lords role, the key procedures at Second Reading and the later stages if the bill progresses.
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Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 28d

In case you missed it: Our new guide to what lies ahead for the assisted dying bill

🚫Whether, and how, the Lords could block the bill
🔉How debates work in the Lords
2⃣ What will happen at Second Reading
📅Scheduling and timing
📃Stages after Second Reading

Hansard Society @hansardsociety.bsky.social · 28d

🚨 NEW BRIEFING: The assisted dying bill – The House of Lords legislative process

We explain how the Lords will consider the Bill:
⚖️ Constitutional issues
🚫 Five ways peers could say no
🗓️ Timing & debates
📜 Each stage of the Bill

Read more 🔽
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The assisted dying bill: A guide to the legislative process in the House of Lords

Having passed through the House of Commons, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - the Bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales - must now go through its legislative stages in the…

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