Blogs - Hansard Society

Welcome

The Hansard Society is made up of five programmes that inform decision makers and engage the public by:

Providing a platform for debate on the reform of Parliament;
Pushing the boundaries of technology and its public engagement potential;
Creating free resources to help citizenship teachers present the curriculum in an innovative way;
Bringing students from across the globe to study the British political system.

Connecting young people with democracy

First time voters question MPs in Parliament

With the general election less than six months away a group of young people from around London have been interviewing politicians in Parliament to quiz them about issues that affect them. The group are aged 13 to 19, meaning some of them will be voting for the first time in the forthcoming election. The collaborative project has been organised by the Hansard Society's citizenship education programme and Headliners - a journalism programme for young people aged 8 to 19.
Y Vote European Mock Elections
HeadRoom - new discussion space launched for under 18's
HeadsUp forum gets young people talking about politics
Liberties get interactive at the British Library

Exploring the social and political impacts of technology

Can your MP use their email once parliament is dissolved?

When Parliament is dissolved our MPs (and their staff) will have to contend with some significant changes to the way they can use IT (and other parliamentary services). From the day of dissolution their status changes and they can longer do many of the things that MPs have taken for granted. Networks get switched off and email must be forwarded to third-party accounts. Most importantly, any reference to being an MP has to be dropped, potentially affecting numerous websites and online identities.
First time voters want a conversation with their MPs
Digital citizens and democratic engagement
Birds of a feather?
Digital Papers: Twitter: Communication tool or pointless vanity?

Monitoring devolution and its effect on Scotland

The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: The First Decade (Edited by Charlie Jeffery and James Mitchell)

The Hansard Society has launched its latest publication The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: The First Decade (Edited by Charlie Jeffery and James Mitchell). In this edited collection of essays, distinguished commentators, academics and parliamentarians discuss some of the key issues in the development of the Scottish Parliament over the last decade.
The National Conversation
MPs in Schools Scotland resource packs
Hansard Society Scotland at 2007 SNP Conference

Research and ideas on Parliament and politics

Learning about British politics from the inside

Apply for the Summer 2010 Hansard Scholars Programme!

If you’re interested in doing a unique political internship in the Houses of Parliament, a UK government department, a campaign organisation or the media, as well as studying British politics at the London School of Economics, you can now apply for the Spring 2010 Hansard Scholars Programme. 2010 really will be a fascinating time to be involved in British politics and you can be a part of this – witnessing the changes, conflicts and developments first hand as they emerge.
Hansard Society Trustees' Scholarship Awards
Hansard Scholars Visit Edinburgh
What they've said about the Hansard Scholars Programme
Hansard Scholars Programme - Frequently Asked Questions