Events / Members

Parliamentary Affairs 75th Anniversary Lecture: The Lord Speaker on the future of the House of Lords

7 Dec 2022
The Lord Speaker the Rt Hon the Lord McFall of Alcluith. ©House of Lords / Roger Harris
The Lord Speaker the Rt Hon the Lord McFall of Alcluith. ©House of Lords / Roger Harris

At this members' event, the Lord Speaker set out his thoughts on the future of the House of Lords, addressed concerns regarding the size of the Upper House, set out the benefits of the House's scrutiny work, and considered the constitutional role of the House and its role in our wider society.

7:30pm–8:30pm, 7 December 2022 Members' event (Westminster)

Video recording of the speech by the Lord Speaker on the future of the House of Lords, delivered for the Hansard Society's Parliamentary Affairs 75th Anniversary Lecture

The Lord Speaker, the Rt Hon the Lord McFall of Alcluith, will give his first major public speech on the future of the House of Lords, outlining his vision for the Upper House, at this invite-only event for members and colleagues of the Hansard Society.

The Parliamentary Affairs Anniversary Lecture is the first in a series of events to be hosted by the Hansard Society to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Society's quarterly journal, the first edition of which was published in December 1947.

Premium Members of the Hansard Society receive a print copy of Parliamentary Affairs every quarter, in addition to exclusive invitations to private events like this. You can learn more about our membership options and benefits here.

News / Will Parliament pay a price for promises to WASPI women? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 61

As Christmas approaches, Westminster eases into its pre-festive lull. Yet, a major political storm clouds the year’s end: the fallout from the Government’s decision not to compensate the WASPI women. This controversy highlights a recurring dilemma in politics—the risks of opposition parties over-promising and the inevitable backlash when those promises confront the harsh realities of governing. And as a seasonal stocking filler, Ruth and Mark talk to the authors of two fascinating books that uncover hidden aspects of parliamentary history.

20 Dec 2024
Read more

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What's coming up in Parliament this week? 16-20 December 2024

MPs will review five bills, including the Water (Special Measures) Bill, and debate two e-petitions on Israel and Palestine, including one on halting arms exports to Israel which may raise sub judice concerns. Six Select Committees will see membership changes following front bench reshuffles, and Peers will consider proposals for four new inquiry committees for 2025. The Defence Committee Chair will raise concerns about poor service accommodation, while Angela Rayner, Yvette Cooper, Shabana Mahmood, Wes Streeting and Michael Gove face Select Committees.

15 Dec 2024
Read more

Briefings / The Assisted Dying Bill: A guide to the Private Member's Bill process

This briefing explains what to watch for during the Second Reading debate of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on 29 November. It outlines the procedural and legislative issues that will come into play: the role of the Chair in managing the debate and how procedures such as the 'closure' and 'reasoned amendments' work. It looks ahead to the Committee and Report stage procedures that will apply if the Bill progresses beyond Second Reading. It also examines the government's responsibilities, such as providing a money resolution for the Bill and preparing an Impact Assessment, while addressing broader concerns about the adequacy of Private Members’ Bill procedures for scrutinising controversial issues.

27 Nov 2024
Read more

News / Licence to scrutinise: spooks, hereditary peers and assisted dying - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 60

In this week’s episode the ‘assisted dying’ bill takes centre stage as the newly chosen members of the Public Bill Committee gear up for detailed scrutiny of the legislation. With 23 members, including two ministers, this committee promises a mix of seasoned voices and first-time MPs debating a very difficult issue. We are joined by Hansard Society researcher, Matthew England, who breaks down the committee’s composition, party balance, and the strategic dynamics that will influence the bill’s trajectory.

13 Dec 2024
Read more

News / How a British student has schooled the US Congress - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 58

In this special episode, we dive into the fascinating world of US congressional procedure with Hansard Society member Kacper Surdy, the once-anonymous force behind the influential social media account @ringwiss. Despite being a 20-year-old Durham University student, Kacper has become a go-to authority on Capitol Hill’s intricate rules, earning the admiration of seasoned political insiders. With Donald Trump hinting at bypassing Senate norms to appoint controversial figures to his cabinet, Kacper unravels the high stakes procedural battles shaping Washington.

04 Dec 2024
Read more