Journal

In memory of our former Chairman, Sir David Butler (1924-2022)

Former Hansard Society Chairman Sir David Butler alongside our current Chair, Baroness Taylor of Bolton, when she was Leader of the House of Commons. Photo taken during a Hansard Society event in the late 1990s. ©Hansard Society
Former Hansard Society Chairman Sir David Butler alongside our current Chair, Baroness Taylor of Bolton, when she was Leader of the House of Commons. Photo taken during a Hansard Society event in the late 1990s. ©Hansard Society

Sir David Butler was Chairman of the Hansard Society between 1994 and 2001. To mark his long association with the Society, we have brought together a collection of some of his work for us, including some of his articles for our journal, Parliamentary Affairs.

To the wider public Sir David Butler was best known as the inventor of the 'Swingometer' and the resident expert on the BBC's election night programmes. He was just 20 years old when in 1945 he translated that year's constituency General Election results into percentages. In doing so he founded psephology (or election science), explained a party's gains and losses in terms of 'swing', and changed forever the way we would analyse and understand election results. But his interest in politics went much wider than elections: he was passionate about the role and work of politicians and Parliament. This, combined with his commitment to communicating in accessible terms for a mass audience, drew him to support the Hansard Society.

A selection of Sir David's work with us

The Case for an Electoral Commission. ©Hansard Society

The Case for An Electoral Commission (1998)

In 1998 Sir David wrote The Case for An Electoral Commission, promoting the merits of an independent body to oversee the administration of elections.

This 'King-Hall Paper' (one of an occasional series of briefings named in honour of our founder Sir Stephen King-Hall) was critical in persuading the Committee on Standards in Public Life to support the proposal which was subsequently enacted by the Labour Government in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. The Electoral Commission began operations the following year.

Download the report
Cover image to The Chellenge for Parliament. ©Hansard Society

The Challenge for Parliament: Making Government Accountable (2001)

As Chair of the Society, Sir David was the driving force behind the setting-up of our Commission on Parliamentary Scrutiny, chaired by Lord Newton.

The Commission's recommendations were published in 2001, providing a roadmap for parliamentary reform that was taken up by the new Leader of the House of Commons, Robin Cook. The Commission greatly influenced the development of Parliament as a more committee-based institution with a greater scrutiny role played by Select Committees.

Download the report

Sir David and Tony Benn MP in conversation (2004)

In 2004, as a fundraiser to mark the Society's 60th anniversary, we hosted a fascinating discussion between Sir David and his lifelong friend Tony Benn MP.

David and Tony first met at Oxford University, where they were tutorial partners. Although they were not political allies, they maintained their friendship through the decades and their conversation was full of wonderful political anecdotes and insight spanning both UK and US politics.

Cover image for No Overall Control. ©Hansard Society

No Overall Control? (2008)

In 2008 the Society published No Overall Control: The Impact of a 'Hung Parliament' on British Politics, amid increasing speculation that the next UK General Election might produce a result in which no single party held a majority of seats.

This edited collection of essays explored what the consequences would be for Parliament, the political parties and MPs. Sir David contributed a chapter on the history of hung parliaments, setting out when they had occurred in the past and the factors that might lead them to occur in the future.

Download the report

Contributions to Parliamentary Affairs

To mark Sir David's contribution to Parliamentary Affairs, the quarterly journal of the Hansard Society, we have curated a special collection of some of his articles that will be freely available to download for a limited time.

A comment on Professor Rasumussen's Article (on 'The disutility of the swing concept in British psephology') David Butler (May 1964)

The strength of the Liberals under different electoral systems David Butler, Arthur Stevens and Donald Stokes (September 1968)

The Australian Crisis of 1975 David Butler (March 1976)

The renomination of MPs David Butler (March 1978)

A level playing field for British elections? David Butler and Roger Mortimore (April 1992)

The Legacy of Stephen King-Hall David Butler (October 1994)

Electoral reform David Butler (October 2004)

Join the Hansard Society as a Premium Member and receive the print edition of our journal, Parliamentary Affairs, every quarter.

Become a member
About Parliamentary Affairs

Latest / Highlights

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What’s coming up in Parliament this week? 23-27 February 2026

MPs will debate the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; changes to the Charter for Budget Responsibility; student loan repayments; support for bereaved children; and St David’s Day. They will also consider the Armed Forces Bill, the Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Bill, and the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill. Cabinet Ministers Steve Reed, Wes Streeting, Douglas Alexander, and Lisa Nandy face departmental questions. In the Lords, Peers will scrutinise the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the Crime and Policing Bill, and the National Insurance Contributions Bill, alongside debates on UK–EU relations and transnational repression. Select Committees will question the Bank of England Governor, former OBR chairs, standards regulators, and Ministers, including an inquiry into trade sanctions.

22 Feb 2026
Read more

News / The forgotten pioneer: Who was Margaret Bondfield, Britain’s first female Cabinet Minister? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 132

Why is Britain’s first female Cabinet Minister largely forgotten? Historian Nan Sloane discusses her new biography of Margaret Bondfield, the trade unionist who became the first woman in the British Cabinet. Rising from harsh shop-floor conditions to national prominence, Bondfield took office as Minister of Labour in 1929 at the onset of the Great Depression. As economic crisis split the Labour Party, her reputation never recovered. Was she a pioneer, pragmatist, or unfairly judged? Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS

20 Feb 2026
Read more

Events / The Ukrainian Parliament after four years of war - Dr Sarah Whitmore

On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Dr Sarah Whitmore will be speaking to us about how the Ukrainian Parliament has functioned under wartime conditions. 6:00pm-7:30pm on Tuesday 24 February 2026 at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster

24 Feb 2026
Read more

News / What happens when you lose the party whip? A conversation with Neil Duncan-Jordan MP - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 131

Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan reflects on rebelling against the whip and calling for Keir Starmer to resign, as we assess the fallout from the Mandelson–Epstein affair and its implications for the Government’s legislative programme and House of Lords reform. We examine Gordon Brown’s sweeping standards proposals, question whether they would restore public trust, revisit tensions over the assisted dying bill in the Lord and discuss two key Procedure Committee reports on Commons debates and internal elections. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Acast · YouTube · Other apps · RSS

13 Feb 2026
Read more

Blog / Once again, there is still no alternative: the costed proposals for Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster

The Restoration and Renewal Client Board’s latest report once again confirms what Parliament has known for nearly a decade: the cheapest, quickest and safest way to restore the Palace of Westminster is for MPs and Peers to move out during the works. The “full decant” option was endorsed in 2018 and reaffirmed repeatedly since. Remaining in the building could more than double costs, extend works into the 2080s, and increase risks to safety, accessibility and security. With the Palace already deteriorating and millions spent each year on patchwork repairs, further delay would itself be an expensive course of action, one that defers decisions without offering a viable alternative.

07 Feb 2026
Read more

Categories

Themes

Contact

Legal

Fundraising Regulator logo