Study of Parliament Group

As our annual weekend draws to a close. We just wanted to say thank you to all our panellists, and chairs for their time over the last two days; to all of you who attended (virtually or in person); and also to our organisers. We hope you enjoyed the weekend & safe travels!

We end our annual weekend with a comparative discussion of backbench bill procedures across Westminster, the Senedd, the Commons in Canada and Holyrood, exploring different models, trade‑offs, & what reform might look like at Westminster and beyond. studyofparliamentgroup.org/programme/

Our second panel addresses the relationship between the Civil Service and Parliament?' Former civil servants reflect on how they viewed Parliament's role, how it shaped their work, and how both institutions can collaborate more effectively. studyofparliamentgroup.org/programme/

We are back for the second day and we're starting with a panel on 'The UK assisted dying bill'. It will examine the UK Assisted Dying Bill’s journey through Westminster, exploring its procedural twists and what they reveal about how Parliament legislates studyofparliamentgroup.org/programme/

At our AGM we said a huge thank you to Tom Healey (HoC) as he steps down from the SPG Executive Committee after serving as both Chair and Deputy Chair over the course of the last four years. We also welcomed Lucinda Maer (HoC) as our new Deputy Chair. studyofparliamentgroup.org/executive-comm…

Our final session of the day is the Wheeler Booth Memorial Lecture, delivered this year by Richard Lloyd OBE, Chair of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority

Our third panel explores 'Belonging to Parliament'. This roundtable will address who feels a sense of belonging, ease or discomfort in parliament and why, whether members, staff, witnesses or visitors. studyofparliamentgroup.org/programme/

Our second panel addresses 'Parliaments and Public Policy'. This panel brings experts together to explore Parliaments’ evolving role — beyond scrutiny and approval — in actively shaping policy, and asks how they could do this more effectively. studyofparliamentgroup.org/programme/

We’re kicking off our annual weekend with a panel on Gender and Diversity Sensitive Parliaments and Politics. This panel will consider how members with different backgrounds, expertise and identities experience parliament differently and with what impacts? studyofparliamentgroup.org/programme/

Today is the day. We kick off at 12.45pm - so whether you are joining us in Oxford 🏫 or online 💻 - see you shortly 🙂

Tomorrow marks the start of our annual weekend and we are very much looking forward to welcoming members to Exeter College, Oxford. For those members joining us remotely, the Zoom links are now in your inboxes. The programme is available on our website: studyofparliamentgroup.org/programme/

Our letter to the Chief Whip sets out the full background, the precedents, and why this change undermines scrutiny. Really disappointing from a Government with such a large majority. hansardsociety.org.uk/publications/b…

Chloe Mawson has been appointed the 66th Clerk of the Parliaments and is the first woman to take up the post. The Clerk of the Parliaments is head of the House of Lords Administration and Chief Procedural Adviser to the House.

Our Guide for Parliaments on Engaging Underrepresented Groups is out; one v close to my heart. No much point having fancy engagement methods, if they only engage the same people. Impressive public engagement is engagement that goes beyond the 'usual suspects'. Read all about it:

A recording of the lecture is now available to view on our website: studyofparliamentgroup.org/michael-ryle-m…

A huge thank you to Professor Sir John Curtice for delivering last night’s Michael Ryle Lecture on the theme of “Can Britain’s Two Party System Survive?” 👏

For those unable to attend, a recording of the lecture will be available shortly after on this twitter feed and on our website (where you can also find recordings of past lectures). studyofparliamentgroup.org/michael-ryle-m…

This lecture series commemorates one of our founders, Michael Ryle. Michael spent his whole career as a Commons Clerk and is particularly associated with reform of the House. The lecture series was established following Michael’s death and the mark the SPG’s 50th anniversary.

This evening Professor Sir John Curtice will deliver the 12th Annual Michael Ryle Memorial Lecture, on the theme of ‘Can Britain’s Two-Party System Survive?’