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The Constitution Unit

The Constitution Unit
House Of Lords
Democracy
Devolution
Constitutional Reform
House Of Commons
Labour Party
Public Trust
Electoral Reform
Party Funding Regulations
UK Honours System
Political Donations
Transparency
Prime Ministerial Influence
Brexit
Parliamentary Reform
Parliament
Electoral Commission
Bipartisan Reform
UK Government
Parliamentary Scrutiny

The Constitution Unit conducts timely, rigorous, independent research into constitutional change and the reform of political institutions. Our research has significant real-world impact, informing policy-makers engaged in such changes - both in the United Kingdom and around the world. On this channel, you will find the audio recordings of the Constitution Unit's past events.

PublishesDailyEpisodes112Founded6 years ago
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Latest Episodes

Andy Burnham’s campaign to return to Westminster has pushed reform of the UK’s constitution up the political agenda. This expert panel steps back from the fast-moving political fallout of the Makerfield by-election to ask what comes next for constitu... more

Six prime ministers, a Brexit referendum, and an (unlawful) prorogation of parliament — it has been an extraordinary decade to lead the UCL Constitution Unit. Meg Russell steps back from that role and joins host Emily McTernan to reflect on a career ... more

Parliament is currently considering the Representation of the People Bill. As well as lowering the voting age for UK elections to 16, this legislation contains a host of changes in other areas, including voter registration, voter ID, political financ... more

Improving standards in public life was a key plank of Labour’s promise to be different from its predecessors in government. In opposition, the party promised better behaviour and stronger systems of regulation. In office, it has introduced a number o... more

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Recent Guests

Lord Charlie Falconer
Labour Peer and former Cabinet Minister
Labour Party
Episode: Constitution Unit Conference 2026: Making policy on difficult issues
Ruth Fox
Director of the Hansard Society
Hansard Society
Episode: Constitution Unit Conference 2026: Making policy on difficult issues
Jane Suiter
Professor of Political Communication and Director of the Institute for Future Media, Democracy and Society
Dublin City University
Episode: Constitution Unit Conference 2026: Making policy on difficult issues
Anand Menon
Director of UK in a Changing Europe, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at King's College London
UK in a Changing Europe; King's College London
Episode: Constitution Unit Conference 2026: UK–EU relations ten years after the referendum
Katy Hayward
Professor of Political Sociology at Queen's University Belfast
Queen's University Belfast
Episode: Constitution Unit Conference 2026: UK–EU relations ten years after the referendum
Lord Stirrup
Chair of the House of Lords European Affairs Committee
House of Lords European Affairs Committee
Episode: Constitution Unit Conference 2026: UK–EU relations ten years after the referendum
Meg Russell
Director, Constitution Unit at UCL
Constitution Unit, UCL
Episode: Professor Meg Russell's valedictory lecture as Director of the Constitution Unit
Jess Blair
Director of the Electoral Reform Society, Cymru
Electoral Reform Society, Cymru
Episode: How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics?
Laura McAllister
Professor of Public Policy and the Governance of Wales, Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Episode: How will the 2026 Senedd election change Welsh politics?

Hosts

Meg Russell
Director of the Constitution Unit; appears across episodes as a primary organizer and moderator.
Alan Renwick
Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit; frequently moderates and contributes to panels.

Chart Rankings

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Apple Podcasts
#245
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#33
Colombia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#201
Finland/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Constitution Unit Conference 2026: How should political parties choose their leaders?
Q: Should Labour adopt a confidence mechanism similar to the Conservative Party, or is the current Labour approach more appropriate?
The panel suggested there are benefits to some form of confidence signal but cautioned that the specific structure should reflect Labour's internal rules and broader democratic legitimacy, with a preference for mechanisms that avoid perpetual internal brinkmanship while allowing a clear removal path when leadership loses parliamentary support.
Constitution Unit Conference 2026: UK–EU relations ten years after the referendum
Q: Do the panel think the EU would ever contemplate the UK rejoining the EU without adopting the euro, and is there an indication that the EU expects the UK to rejoin eventually?
The EU is unlikely to consider rejoining in the near term; rejoining is seen as improbable in the current timeframe, and the EU would require serious alignment with its own changes; the question of whether the UK would ever join the euro remains uncertain and politically delicate, with the UK unlikely to be forced into euro membership as a condition of closer ties.
Constitution Unit Conference 2026: UK–EU relations ten years after the referendum
Q: How close have the negotiations got to striking a deal, and should we expect a longer delay or a short-term hiccup before a summit?
Negotiations are close on some fronts like SPS, with key sticking points around dynamic alignment carve-outs, while ETS and electricity market terms remain contested; a significant delay is possible as gaps persist, but there is appetite to reach announcements before year-end if political conditions align.
Constitution Unit Conference 2026: UK–EU relations ten years after the referendum
Q: Has leaving the EU restored parliamentary sovereignty or has it undermined it further? How far do we remain bound by EU law?
Delegates suggest sovereignty remains, but enforcement is complex: the UK can diverge where it exercises its own policy levers, yet alignment with EU rules persists in many areas due to regulatory convergence and the practical consequences of dynamic alignment; parliamentary scrutiny needs strengthening to manage the increased volume and complexity of secondary legislation.
Six Prime Ministers and a Brexit: Meg Russell Reflects on British Democracy
Q: What is constitutional government, and what are the big threats today?
Constitutional government is democracy with checks and balances and respect for other viewpoints; threats include polarization, shrinking norms, manipulation of power, reduced scrutiny by media and courts, and the gradual erosion of institutional safeguards that keep government within the rule of law.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Constitution Unit

What is The Constitution Unit about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on constitutional reform, governance, and the intersection of law and policy in the UK. Across episodes, listeners are exposed to in-depth discussions about parliamentary scrutiny, devolution, electoral reform, and the role of institutions in safeguarding democratic standards. The conversations often feature policy-oriented analysis, practical implications for reform, and insights from leading academics and practitioners, making it a valuable resource for policymakers, lawyers, researchers, and government staff interested in how constitutional change translates into real-world governance. A notable strength is the consistent emphasis on evidence-based reform, cross-party dialogue, and the practical challenges of implementi... more

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1. Parliament Matters
2. Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government
3. Double Jeopardy - UK Law and Politics
4. IFS Zooms In: The Economy
5. Political Fix

How many episodes of The Constitution Unit are there?

The Constitution Unit launched 6 years ago and published 112 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Constitution Unit?

Recent guests on The Constitution Unit include:

1. Lord Charlie Falconer
2. Ruth Fox
3. Jane Suiter
4. Anand Menon
5. Katy Hayward
6. Lord Stirrup
7. Meg Russell
8. Jess Blair

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