News

News and coverage

News, press releases, selected coverage, and media appearances and contributions.

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Hansard Society staff are happy to speak to the media about our research and recommendations. The Society’s research team features regularly in broadcast, print and online media, and staff write and contribute to news and comment articles.

News / Defending free speech from SLAPPs: MP Wayne David on his Private Member's Bill (Parliament Matters: Episode 28)

Wayne David's groundbreaking Private Member's Bill aimed at thwarting Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) may be the most significant Private Member’s Bill to emerge from this final year of the current Parliament. But is there enough time to get this measure into law before the general election?

28 Mar 2024
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News / Another Rwanda Roadblock: ping-pong and the House of Lords (Parliament Matters : Episode 27)

The Lords have dug in their heels and inflicted seven defeats on the Government over the Rwanda Bill this week. The Government claims the Bill is emergency legislation but it will not go back to the House of Commons until after the Easter recess. We discuss why, and what will happen next.

21 Mar 2024
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News / Unheard: the parliamentary snubbing of Diane Abbott (Parliament Matters: Episode 26)

Why did the Speaker fail to call Diane Abbott during Prime Minister’s Questions? The image of Britain’s first black female MP being talked about at the Despatch Box while not being allowed to say anything herself, once again left the House of Commons looking out of touch.

14 Mar 2024
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News / The Budget: is the democratic deficit as bad as the financial deficit? How Parliament handles money (Parliament Matters: Episode 25)

The Chancellor has announced his plans for taxation and provided a fresh economic forecast. But how does Parliament get to grips – indeed does it get to grips - with the nation’s finances? We talk to Baroness Morgan of Cotes, a Conservative Peer who has been both a Treasury Minister and a scrutineer on the Treasury Committee. Henry Midgley of Durham University – who has worked at both the House of Commons and the National Audit Office – also joins us to discuss how MPs could improve scrutiny of taxation and public spending.

07 Mar 2024
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News / The Foreign Affairs Committee: commentator or influencer? A conversation with Alicia Kearns MP (Parliament Matters: Episode 24)

In this revealing conversation with Alicia Kearns MP, Chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, we explore the critical role of parliamentary scrutiny in shaping foreign policy and addressing global challenges.

04 Mar 2024
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