Themes

Making better law

Acts of Parliament in the Parliamentary Archives, Houses of Parliament, Westminster. (© UK Parliament / Parliamentary Archives)

The process for making and scrutinising legislation at Westminster is often unsatisfactory and poorly understood. How does the process work? Who influences it? And how could it be improved?

News / Inside the hidden world of law-making: A conversation with Nikki da Costa - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 45 transcript

How is a King’s Speech crafted? What really happens behind the doors of the Parliamentary Business and Legislation Cabinet Committee? How have parliamentary tactics on legislation evolved and what new tactics might MPs employ when facing a Government with such a commanding majority? In this episode we discuss the art and strategy of law-making with Nikki da Costa, former Director of Legislative Affairs for two Conservative Prime Ministers in 10 Downing Street.

16 Aug 2024
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News / £22 billion financial 'black hole': What is Parliament's role? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 44 transcript

This week's bruising Commons exchange between the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and the man she replaced at the Treasury, Jeremy Hunt, is just the opening encounter in what promises to be a long running parliamentary battle over the state of the public finances. Plus, the carve up of select committee chairs between the parties has been announced: what does it all mean? And with more than a thousand new bag-carriers set to be hired by MPs we talk to former union rep chair Max Freedman about the perils and rewards of being a Westminster aide.

02 Aug 2024
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News / Labour tightens its grip on Parliament - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 43 transcript

One consequence of the mini-parliamentary rebellion on the King’s Speech is that Keir Starmer has decisively disciplined his backbench rebels, but is this firm approach a one-off for the King’s Speech or indicative of a broader strategy? With the Chancellor set to layout the depths of the nation’s financial woes next week, we ask: will the honeymoon period for the Labour government soon be over?

26 Jul 2024
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News / New arrivals, absent friends and time-honoured ceremonies - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 41 transcript

Old stagers and complete newcomers: Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ministerial team is taking shape. But is it a good idea to turn newly-minted MPs straight into ministers? Looking ahead we also explore the upcoming Deputy Speaker elections and the allocation of Select Committee chairs.

12 Jul 2024
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News / What has Keir Starmer got in common with Robert Redford? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 42 transcript

The legislative process is underway following the King’s Speech, so what bills are planned? This week, Professor Philip Cowley, an expert on parliamentary rebellions, joins the podcast to discuss managing a mega-majority. Intriguingly, he reveals why Keir Starmer reminds him of Robert Redford.

12 Jul 2024
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Guides / What is the King’s Speech?

06 Nov 2023
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Projects / Delegated Legislation Review

02 Nov 2021
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Blog / Ping-pong and packaging

13 Feb 2021
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Publications / A New Normal? Parliament after Brexit

09 Mar 2020
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Guides / What is a Presentation Bill?

13 Dec 2019
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Guides / What is a Ballot Bill?

13 Dec 2019