UCL Uncovering Politics

Constitutional Reform in the UK

Episode Summary

This week we ask: What are the prospects for constitutional reform in the UK? What options are on the government’s agenda? What might actually happen? And will any such changes be adequate for resolving underlying problems?

Episode Notes

Politics in the UK has been in turmoil in recent years—Brexit, Covid, movements for independence in Scotland and Northern Ireland, rule-breaking Prime Ministers, and now the shockwaves from Donald Trump’s return to the White House. These pressures have tested the UK’s political system, raising serious questions about whether constitutional reforms are needed.

In this episode, we dive into a new report from the UCL Constitution Unit, which examines possible constitutional changes, their likelihood of passing, and whether they could truly address the challenges the UK faces. Our guests are two of the report’s authors:

• Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit and Professor of British and Comparative Politics at UCL
• Lisa James – Senior Research Fellow at the Constitution Unit

Our host, Alan Renwick, also a co-author of the report, leads the discussion on ossible constitutional reforms, their feasibility, and what reforms could be on the horizon.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Constitutional Landscape: Options for Reform, by Lisa James, Patrick Thomas, Alan Renwick and Meg Russell.
• S7:E10 A Primer on House of Lords Reform, with Meg Russell.