Resources
The Hansard Society produces a range of publications including hard
copy publications to buy, free resources for teachers and free
publication downloads. Details can be found using the links to the
left.
If you cannot see the publication you require please e-mail contact@hansardsociety.org.uk or call 020 7438 1210.
Please note that the postage of publications will now be included in the price rather than added by PayPal at the checkout stage, so publications that were priced £10 will now be priced £13.50 to include postage and packaging.
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This month marks two years since the Speaker's Conference on
Parliamentary Representation published its report
and to date little progress has been made in implementing its findings.
Today, the report will finally be
discussed by MPs after the Backbench Business Committee scheduled a debate on
parliamentary representation on a motion proposed by Dame Anne Begg MP (who was
the vice-chair of the Speaker’s Conference).
The Hansard Society has updated our Women at the Top briefing paper setting out
some of the latest statistics about the representation of women in politics and
public life in the UK
today.
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Connecting Citizens to Parliament explores which
communities and social groups are not engaging with Parliament, why and how
this might be redressed. It concludes that connecting with ‘hard to reach'
groups cannot be achieved by a sudden radical change of approach, but demands a
number of smaller cumulative step-changes, many of which Parliament can
initiate or suggest but cannot necessarily lead.
The Connecting
Citizens to Parliament research is based on a quantitative survey of
2,005 adults and five qualitative semi-structured focus groups. It confirms that
social class and age are the strongest determining factors for engagement.
Barriers to engagement include:
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Parliament itself because of arcane traditions
and the complexity of its processes and procedures
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The narrow range and overall lack of parliamentary
coverage in the media
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Weaknesses in the delivery of political literacy
education in schools, in the community and voluntary sector
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The dearth of informal learning opportunities
through public libraries and social networks.
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Parliament
2020: Visioning the Future Parliament - international research from the
Hansard Society - demonstrates that effective political
literacy education and greater use of digital media are priorities to bridge
the gap between elected representatives and the public.
The focus of Parliament
2020: Visioning the Future Parliament is on how parliaments can improve
processes, enhance communication and better engage with citizens. The
participants in the research project comprised parliamentarians, parliamentary
officials and members of the public from four countries (Australia, Canada,
Chile and the UK).
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The eighth Audit of Political Engagement was launched on March 30 in Parliament.
The Audit series provides a statistical context to everyday speculation about the state of political engagement. In doing so, the Audits indicate the degree to which attitudes and behaviour change year-on-year and allows a fuller picture of participation and interest in politics.
The report shows that while last year's momentous political events increased the public's interest in politics to a record 58%, there was no matching rise in political or civic activity. Beyond voting, people were no more likely to get involved or participate in politics than they are in non-election years.
The Audit research also examines public attitudes to Parliament. While the public's knowledge of Parliament has increased, satisfaction has decreased.
At the launch event a packed room heard Rt Hon Peter Riddell , Chair of the Hansard Society preside over a panel consisting of Mark Harper MP - Minister for Political & Constitutional Reform, Lord Archy Kirkwood - Chair, Information Committee, Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP - Chair of Labour's Social Action Forum.
The report's authors Dr Ruth Fox and Matt Korris presented the report's findings.
Download the Audit of Political Engagement
Copy of presentation
Listen to the event:
Presentation by Dr Ruth Fox and Matt Korris/ Mark Harper MP
Lord Archy Kirkwood
Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP
Questions and answers:
Part one
Part two
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There was no pivotal moment at which we entered the age of internet politics but the 2010 election shows how the internet has become a ‘business as usual' space for people and, with this, for politics and campaigning.
With contributions from some key election observers and practitioners, this short volume sets out to cut through some of the hype that surrounded the election and provide some empirical evidence of the internet's place in the election and also assess what realistically we might expect from the internet. Edited by Rachel Gibson, Andy Williamson and Stephen Ward and with contributions from Mark Pack, Matthew McGregor and Will Straw, this volume lifts the lid on what really happened online and stands as a reference on the 2010 election and an informative guide to anyone interested in political campaigning online.
Download The internet and the 2010 election putting the small ‘p’ back in politics? here.
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The 2010 Hansard Society annual Audit of Political Engagement has been released. The Audit this year has a
special focus on MPs and Parliament, raises a number of topical issues
in the context of MPs' expenses and the forthcoming general election,
and provides longer term reflections on the level of continuity and
change charted in the Audit findings over the course of this Parliament.
It shows that while the MPs' expenses scandal has affected the public's satisfaction with and perception of MPs and the Westminster Parliament, there has not been a change in the level of trust people say they have in politicians or politics. However, a significant finding of the Audit this year is that there has been a big decline since 2004 in the perceived impact of the Westminster Parliament on people's lives, compared to other institutions. Only 19% think Parliament is one of the top three influential institutions on their everyday lives - an 11% drop from 2004. But 60% still think Parliament is 'worthwhile', compared to only 14% who disagree.
Read the key findings here
Download the full 2010 Hansard Society annual Audit of Political Engagement.
Listen to the launch event
See the photos from the launch
Read the press release for the 2010 Hansard Society annual Audit of Political Engagement.
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12 May 2009 marks the 10-year anniversary of the first inaugural sessions of
the Scottish Parliament. Rarely can such high expectations have been invested
in a political institution. The Parliament was to become the fulcrum of a 'new
politics'. Expectations were high. As the parliament moves into its second
decade, now is the perfect time to reflect on its role in the Scottish and
wider UK
political process. This publication from the Hansard Society looks at:
- What has been learned?
- What have been the
challenges and its achievements?
- Has it matured unto the
effective legislative body that so many hoped for?
This edited collection of essays from distinguished
commentators, academics and parliamentarians discuss some of the key issues in
the development of the Scottish parliament over the past decade.
[BUY:13.50:The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009]
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The Audit series provides a statistical context to everyday speculation about the state of political engagement. In doing so, the Audits indicate the degree to which attitudes and behaviour change year-on-year and allows a fuller picture of participation and interest in politics.
The Audit of Political Engagement 6 has a special focus on the public's attitudes to political participation and citizenship. All Audits can be downloaded for free.
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The Hansard Society provides a range of free resources for teachers and those working with young people.
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Parliamentary Affairs, a quarterly journal of politics, containing vital analysis and debate of recent political events. It covers a wide range of issues from political leadership in Britain and the media coverage of the Houses of Parliament to analysis and comparison of parliamentary processes around the world. The Hansard Society regularly publish articles, related to our research, within the journal. Parliamentary Affairs is a long-established journal published by Oxford University Press in association with the Hansard Society.
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Digital Dialogues consists of three reports that independently review of ways in which central government can use information and communication technology (ICT) to enable and enhance public engagement. Research for the third report in the series is currently being conducted.
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The Hansard Society has published a series of briefing papers on Issues in Law-Making. Each paper has reviewed a key element of the legislative process in the United Kingdom. For more information please click on the links below.
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