The Constitution Society
Working to promote informed debate about constitutional reform
The Constitution Society is an independent educational foundation which works to promote public understanding of the UK constitution. We monitor constitutional developments and proposals for change, and assess them against core constitutional principles.
Latest blog posts
The police and the constitution
The defenestration of Suella Braverman from the Home Office, after the Fareham MP wrote a wildcat Times article criticising the police’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests, has highlighted the delicate and ill-defined relationship between the executive and the police. To what extent, and how, can the Home Secretary, as the responsible minister for English policing (and for certain national… [Read More…]about The police and the constitution
Jobs for the boys: The exceptional Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton
In its response to the Public Administration Select Committee’s 2010 report, Goats and Tsars: Ministerial and other appointments from outside Parliament, the UK Government (led at the time by Prime Minister David Cameron) agreed with the Committee that “ministerial appointments from outside the existing membership of the House of Commons and House of Lords should be… [Read More…]about Jobs for the boys: The exceptional Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton
A King’s Speech fit for a dying government
It felt like the King’s Speech should have been a bigger event. I was sat watching the King and Queen arrive in Westminster from my office window. I refused an offer to go see him close-up that morning and instead opted out for a packet of Walkers and a warm office. Once the King arrived,… [Read More…]about A King’s Speech fit for a dying government
Announcement: Tom Legg
We were sad to learn that Tom Legg died peacefully at home last month, aged 88. Tom was a firm friend and supporter of the Constitution Society from its early days, and a founding member of the UK Constitution Monitoring Group. Sir Thomas Legg was called to the Bar in 1960 and spent his entire… [Read More…]about Announcement: Tom Legg
Announcement: The Constitution Society Appoints Three New Research Fellows
The Constitution Society is delighted to announce the appointment of three new research fellows. David McCann, Binendri Perera and Keegan Shepard will join the Society from November and look to publish their research in 2024. Welcoming them to the Society, director of research Dexter Govan said: We are excited to announce the appointment of our… [Read More…]about Announcement: The Constitution Society Appoints Three New Research Fellows
Latest publications
The Constitution in Review 5
In its fifth report, covering the period from January through June of 2023, the United Kingdom Constitution Monitoring Group has highlighted numerous areas of concern regarding the UK constitution. [Read More…]about The Constitution in Review 5
Cracking the Whip: The UK’s Party Control System
After the fall of the Nazi regime, in 1949, in an attempt to ensure against the rise of future dictatorships, the new German constitution included the right of German MPs to be ‘representatives of the whole people, not bound by orders or instructions, and responsible only to their conscience’. No such protection exists for the… [Read More…]about Cracking the Whip: The UK’s Party Control System
Europe’s Last Imperial Monarchy – An Analysis of the British Royal Family
With the passing of the late Queen in September of 2022 and the coronation of King Charles III in May of 2023, the UK monarchy has overcome a period of great upheaval with a minimum of fuss. Despite some predictions, support for the monarchy has remained strong across the country. But the accession of a… [Read More…]about Europe’s Last Imperial Monarchy – An Analysis of the British Royal Family