Explaining Parliamentary Procedure

I have been a member of, and a big fan of, the Hansard Society for many years. Under Dr Ruth Fox (who became a star of BBC Parliament with her joint coverage with Mark D'Arcy of the various Brexit votes over recent months), it has gone from strength to strength - producing some superb literature and promoting understanding of the Westminster system across the country and across the generations. If you don't yet subscribe - you can do so at https://www.hansardsociety.org.uk.

Each year the Society (named after, but not part of Hansard, the official report of proceedings in Parliament) produces an Audit of Political Engagement. It's always a fascinating report - and the latest edition is available here.

Their website includes a number of very useful procedural guides which can be accessed here. They have just produced a guide to the actions at the start of the 58th Parliament of the United Kingdom, which can be accessed from the home page of the Society.

For anyone interested in the workings of Parliament - this is a really useful society and website.

The Hansard Society

A search of this blog will reveal that the Hansard Society gets a lot of mentions. It’s one of the most important groups encouraging involvement in and discussion of Parliamentary Government. There is a journal “”Parliamentary Affairs”, which has some excellent scholarly articles – and frequent seminars and meetings. These are held across the UK, but the ones at Westminster (usually in Portcullis House) are open to the public, and worth attending. As it is within the Parliamentary Estate - and the Society enjoys a high level of support from across the political spectrum - it attracts top speakers and fellow attenders. The annual audit of Political Engagement is both scholarly – and of tremendous use to those involved in British politics (especially at the grassroots level)


Anyone interested in the work of the Westminster Parliament (as a student; an academic; a political activist or a citizen), and now the regional Parliaments/Assemblies in the UK, should seriously consider joining the Hansard Society. They have an excellent website – which can be accessed at http://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/

I'll be attending next weeks AGM - and hope that over the coming months many more people will support and join.

Audit of Political Engagement - 2011

The Hansard Society has produced its eighth annual "Audit of Political Engagement". I usually attend the launch at Westminster, but other engagements meant I missed it this year. However the report has now arrived - another perk of membership of the Hansard Society. [I have been a member now for 20 years - I thoroughly recommend joining - whether you are a student of law or politics; interested in how Westminster works; a political activist; or a citizen concerned about the most effective way to run government. Membership ensures that you are regularly informed of what the Society is doing - and includes access to their publications. For the parliamentary scholar - "Parliamentary Affairs" is a must - membership details are available here. Details of recent publications are available here.]

The encouaraging news is that interest in politics - and knowledge - is growing! - but satisfaction with Parliament continues to decline. The report contains, as ever, a detailed analysis of a poll carried out by Ipsos MORI, conducted at the turn of the year. There is much for 'politicians' and scholars to reflect upon.