Archived Press Releases

Young people take balanced approach to immigration - 3 Nov, 2008

admin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:05:00 GMT

Under-18s debate the issues with legislators

Under-18s tackled a variety of immigration issues in a secure and structured online debate, Immigration and the UK: What effect has it had on Britain?, organised by the Hansard Society from 29 September - 17 October, 2008 at http://www.headsup.org.uk/

The young people taking part in the forum examined the effect that immigration has had on Britain and put forward the following observations:

Economic migrants ‘should pay their way'
They do important jobs which help the wider UK population
Refugees and asylum seekers should be given priority over economic migrants
Citizenship tests are ‘hard'
ID cards for immigrants are a good idea
Celebrities should not get preferential treatment over ordinary immigrants
Immigrants are hard workers and encourage Brits to up their game
More money should go to developing countries to reduce the need for future migration
Immigrants sometimes get a better deal than British people
There are cultural benefits from immigration

The Immigration and the UK: What effect has it had on Britain? HeadsUp debate gave 11-18 year olds the opportunity to share their views on immigration and asylum with key decision makers and other young people in a safe and constructive environment. Legislators and decision-makers involved in the forum were:

Damien Green MP - Shadow Immigration Minister
Lord Lester of Herne Hill - Member, Joint Committee on Human Rights
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer - Spokesperson for Home Affairs
Lord Roberts of Llandudno - Spokesperson for International Development
Jean Lambert MEP - Member, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Douglas Carswell MP - Member, Joint Committee on Human Rights
Frank Field MP - Co-Chair, Cross Party Group on Balanced Migration
Sir Andrew Green - Chair, Migration Watch
Meg Hillier MP - Home Office Minister

Beccy Allen, HeadsUp Manager, commented: ‘This debate proved very timely as it took place against a background of intense media coverage of immigration issues. The young people taking part were eager to share their first-hand experiences with legislators and decision-makers and revealed a mature and balanced attitude as they examined the facts behind the headlines. They took full advantage of the opportunity to tell politicians what they think, as well as developing their political literacy and creative thinking skills.'

The report of the Immigration and the UK forum - including direct quotes from young people and legislators - is available at http://www.headsup.org.uk/content/default.asp?page=s4_8

For more information contact Virginia Gibbons, Communications Manager at the Hansard Society on 0207 438 1225 or 07812 765 552.

Editors' Notes

HeadsUp (http://www.headsup.org.uk/) is an innovative website where under-18s debate political issues and processes. The site is a non-partisan, cross-party educational resource that provides a secure, structured and student-centred discussion platform.
HeadsUp has a number of new features for 2008/09 including a Top Poster Award where the HeadsUp user judged to have the greatest impact on the forum can win a prize of £25 worth of gift vouchers from a range of high street and online shops. The winner of this forum was Rhys Nasrabadi from Nower Hill High School.
Two ways to register to participate in HeadsUp:

Young People - If you are under 18 and want to get in on the action you need to complete the Student Sign Up Form.
Teachers/youth workers/youth group - can register a whole class/school year/group by completing our Teachers Registration Form.

All HeadsUp forums are open to view and follow the debate. Participants need to register or login to post comments.
The project is jointly funded by the Ministry of Justice (former DCA) and the House of Commons.
At the end of the debate, a summary report detailing young people's contributions is distributed to relevant government ministers, MPs, AMs, MEPS, MSPs and selected all-party groups in Parliament.
4785 individuals are currently registered with HeadsUp.

Clare Short calls for reform of electoral system - 30 Oct, 2008

admin — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:35:00 GMT

A hung parliament would ‘put an end to arrogant centralised government'

Speaking at the Political Studies Association/Hansard Society Annual Lecture last night, Clare Short MP said that public cynicism with the political system can only be overcome by a hung parliament with no party having an overall majority.

Clare Short said:

‘It is widely agreed that the confidence of the people of the UK in their political system has been deeply undermined in recent years. Many agree that this cynicism is bad for democracy and believe that we must do more to educate the public in the workings of the political system. My own conclusion, after 25 years in electoral politics, is that our system is deeply flawed and visibly deteriorating in both the quality and democratic accountability of its decision-making. I suggest therefore that public education is likely to increase rather than decrease public cynicism and what is needed is a more determined demand for reform of the system.'

She concluded:

‘The answer, I believe, is a hung parliament with no party having an overall majority. The chances are that this would lead to a referendum on electoral reform as the under-represented Liberal Democrats made it a condition of their co-operation. My conclusion is that people are entitled to be cynical about the poor quality of our existing political institutions. But if we are determined to change our system, we can do so. The answer lies in the hands of the electorate and if current trends continue, the most likely outcome of the next election would be a hung parliament. This would put an end to arrogant centralised government. The House of Commons would be enlivened, the Cabinet would be restored and the electorate would know that their votes and opinions carried significant power and influence.'

Click here for full text of Clare Short's speech

For further information, contact Virginia Gibbons at the Hansard Society on

020 7438 1225 or 07812 765 552

Editors' Notes

The Political Studies Association (PSA) is the leading organisation in the UK linking academics in political science and current affairs, theorists and practitioners, policy-makers, journalists, researchers and students in higher education. (http://www.psa.ac.uk/)
The Hansard Society is the UK's leading non-partisan political research and education charity which exists to strengthen parliamentary democracy and encourage greater public involvement in politics. (http://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/)

Rt Hon Clare Short MP gives PSA/Hansard Society Annual Lecture - 14 Oct 2008

admin — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:15:00 GMT

Rt Hon Clare Short MP

gives Political Studies Association/Hansard Society Annual Lecture

Wednesday October 29, 6.30pm, Portcullis House

Making Politics Fit For Purpose

Clare Short MP resigned the Labour Whip in October 2006, declaring that 'our political system is in trouble'.

In a major speech at the 2008 Political Studies Association/Hansard Society Annual Lecture, Clare Short will argue that public disillusionment with the British political system is justified. She will argue that the system is both increasingly unaccountable and error prone - elections increasingly produce governments with unrepresentative majorities.

Ms Short will say that this, plus the massive patronage power of the Prime Minister, has so concentrated power in Number 10 that policy is ill-considered and shaped to be encapsulated in sound bites and pleasing to media headlines. In addition, she will contend that the Cabinet has become a dignified part of the constitution. The guillotine on all business and the high prospects of anyone in a governing party becoming a minister has emasculated the Commons.

She will say that the fundamental reform needed to secure proper accountability and consideration of policy is an electoral system that produces representation in the House of Commons in proportion to voting support. In addition, guillotines must be abolished and the size of the government slashed.

Ms Short will conclude her lecture with a Q&A session. The lecture takes place Wednesday October 29 at 6.30pm in Portcullis House, Westminster.

This event is free and open to all. To receive further information or to register for this event, please email hans_admin@hansard.lse.ac.uk

For further information, contact Virginia Gibbons at the Hansard Society on 020 7438 1225 or 07812 765 552

Editors' Notes

The Political Studies Association (PSA) is the leading organisation in the UK linking academics in political science and current affairs, theorists and practitioners, policy-makers, journalists, researchers and students in higher education. (http://www.psa.ac.uk/)
The Hansard Society is the UK's leading non-partisan political research and education charity which exists to strengthen parliamentary democracy and encourage greater public involvement in politics. (http://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/)

No Politics Please...We're Women! - 7 October 2008

admin — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:43:00 GMT

Hansard Society research shows that men tend to overestimate their actual political knowledge

On the other hand women tend to underestimate how much they know about politics. For example, while the percentage of men claiming that they know about politics is nearly 20 points higher than that of women, the proportion that can name their MP is only 6 points higher (47% versus 41%)

The Hansard Society is launching a new briefing based on original Hansard Society research about women's attitudes to politics. It shows that women are disproportionately less likely to say they are both interested and knowledgeable about politics. For example:

18% of women say they know nothing about politics, compared to 7% of men
Only 20% of women state they know a great deal or fair amount about the EU, compared to 35% of men
Less than 20% of MPs in the UK are women
Britain is in joint-58th place with Cambodia for female political representation

On Tuesday 14October at 6.30pm the Hansard Society will hold an event in the House of Commons to launch the briefing and debate the issues around women's participation and knowledge in politics. The event will host a panel of high profile speakers, all of whom have experience or an interest in women's involvement in politics: Helen Goodman MP (Government Whip), Ros Taylor (The Guardian), Dr Jonathan Dean (Gender Institute, London School of Economics), and Lee Chalmers (the Downing Street Project). The event will be Chaired by Dr Sarah Childs (Bristol University).

For more information contact Virginia Gibbons, Communications Manager at the Hansard Society on 0207 438 1225 or 07812 765 552 or mediaprog@hansard.lse.ac.uk

Editor's Notes

The Hansard Society is the UK's leading independent, non-partisan political research and education charity which aims to strengthen parliamentary democracy and encourage greater public involvement in politics.

For a copy of the briefing please e-mail hans_admin@hansard.lse.ac.uk

To register for the event please e-mail hans_admin@hansard.lse.ac.uk with your full name and organisation.
The Hansard Society is part of the Women & the Vote coalition commemorating the 80^th anniversary of universal suffrage http://www.womenandthevote.com

Is Scottish Society fairly reflected in Holyrood? - 8 October 2008

admin — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:08:00 GMT

Channel 4/Hansard Society fringe meeting at SNP conference

Saturday October 18

12.30-1.30pm at the Royal George Hotel, Perth

People Like Us: Is Scottish Society fairly reflected in Holyrood?

Chair: Joyce McMillan (The Scotsman)

An expert panel - Angela O'Hagen (Equalities and Human Rights Commission), Michael Russell MSP (SNP Minister for Environment), Emma Wilson (Channel 4 News) Humza Yousaf (Convenor of Young Asian Scots for Independence) - will be considering the composition of the Scottish Parliament and why so many of our representatives come from such a narrow section of the population.

For further information, contact Emma Megaughin at the Hansard Society on 0131 243 2750 or hansard.scotland@hansard.lse.ac.uk

Editors' Notes

The Hansard Society is an independent, non-partisan educational charity. We aim to strengthen parliamentary democracy and encourage greater public involvement in politics.
Hansard Society Scotland provides a new independent and non-partisan platform in Scotland to consider issues relating to the Scottish Parliament and the implications and lessons for other parts of UK parliamentary democracy.

What do under-18s think about Immigration? - 19 September 2008

admin — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:13:00 GMT

Young people debate immigration with legislators

Follow the online debate at http://www.headsup.org.uk/

Under-18s are tackling a variety of immigration issues in a secure and structured online debate, organised by the Hansard Society. Immigration and the UK will run from 29 September - 17 October, 2008 at http://www.headsup.org.uk/

HeadsUp offers the chance for 11-18 year olds to share their views on immigration and asylum with key decision makers and other young people in a safe and constructive environment. It's an opportunity for young people to tell politicians what they think, as well as developing political literacy and creative thinking skills.

The young people in the forum will be discussing the issues around these key questions:

How has the free movement of people in Europe affected the UK?
What effect does immigration have on British communities?
Are the new British citizenship tests useful to teach immigrants the things they need to know about the UK?
Can our public services cope with the demands of more people?
Is it right for the UK to take skilled workers from poorer countries that might need them more?

Legislators and decision-makers involved in the forum:

Damian Green MP, Shadow Minister of State for Immigration for the Conservatives
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer, Spokesperson for Home Affairs for the Liberal Democrats
Lord Roberts of Llandudno, Spokesperson for International Development for the Liberal Democrats
Jean Lambert MEP, Green Party
Lord Lester of Herne Hill, Member, Joint Committee on Human Rights
Douglas Carswell MP, Member, Joint Committee on Human Rights

Beccy Allen, HeadsUp Manager, commented: ‘A recent Ipsos MORI poll found that 11 per cent of the people asked rated immigration/race relations as the most important issue facing Britain today. A quarter in the survey said it was one of the most important issues facing Britain today. We want to give young people the opportunity to consider the issues carefully and debate them with decision-makers and legislators.'

For more information contact Virginia Gibbons, Communications Manager at the Hansard Society on 0207 438 1225 or 07812 765 552.

Editors' Notes

HeadsUp (http://www.headsup.org.uk/) is an innovative website where under-18s debate political issues and processes. The site is a non-partisan, cross-party educational resource that provides a secure, structured and student-centred discussion platform.
HeadsUp has a number of new features for 2008/09 including a Top Poster Award where the HeadsUp user judged to have the greatest impact on the forum can win a prize of £25 worth of gift vouchers from a range of high street and online shops.
Two ways to register to participate in HeadsUp:

Young People - If you are under 18 and want to get in on the action you need to complete the Student Sign Up Form.
Teachers/youth workers/youth group - can register a whole class/school year/group by completing our Teachers Registration Form.

All HeadsUp forums are open to view and follow the debate. Participants need to register or login to post comments.
The project is jointly funded by the Ministry of Justice (former DCA) and the House of Commons.
At the end of the debate, a summary report detailing young people's contributions will be distributed to relevant government ministers, MPs, AMs, MEPS, MSPs and selected all-party groups in Parliament.
4785 individuals are currently registered with HeadsUp.

People Like Us: Is British Society fairly reflected in Parliament? - 26 August 2008

admin — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:55:00 GMT

Hansard Society/Channel 4 joint fringe meetings at this year's party conferences

Liberal Democrats

Monday September 15, 6.15pm at the Bourne Hall Hotel, Priory Road, Bournemouth

Speakers: Lord Dhlokia, Chris Huhne MP, Simon Hughes MP, Lembit Opik MP, Jo Swinson MP. Chair: Katie Razzall, Channel 4 News

Labour

Monday September 22, 6pm at Jury's Inn, Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester

Speakers: Dawn Butler MP, Harriet Harman MP, Shahid Malik MP, Peter Oborne (Channel 4 Dispatches), Lord Soley (ex- Chair, PLP). Chair: Faisal Islam, Channel 4 News

Conservatives

Tuesday September 30, 6.30pm at the Copthorne Hotel, Paradise Circus Birmingham

Speakers: Iain Dale (Total Politics), Julie Kirkbride MP, Eleanor Laing MP, Theresa May MP, Baroness Warsi. Chair: Katie Razzall, Channel 4 News

People Like Us: Is British Society fairly reflected in Parliament? asks the questions:

How representative is ‘representative democracy'?
Do we need to be represented by ‘people like us'?
Given the demographic make-up of the country, why are so many MPs from a narrow section of the population?
Why are women under-represented in Parliament? What puts them off? What can be done?
Where are the ethnic minority MPs? Are we making the most of the advantages of having such a diverse population?
Should we be encouraging younger people to stand as MPs? Should we reduce the voting age or the age at which people can stand for Parliament?

For further information, contact Virginia Gibbons at the Hansard Society on

020 7438 1225 or 07812 765 552 or mediaprog@hansard.lse.ac.uk

Government must take risks to achieve successful online engagement, says new Hansard Society report - 12 August, 2008

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:25:00 GMT

http://www.digitaldialogues.org.uk/

Digital Dialogues 3, a new report from the Hansard Society, shows that government can successfully use the internet to engage, consult and build public trust - providing it follows a few simple rules:

Government departments must be adaptable and willing to take risks
Transparency and timely feedback to participants is essential
Government departments must be clear about the purpose of the consultation and the ways that participants' contributions will be used
The right people - ministers and senior policy makers - must be involved
Evaluation is essential to ensure that departments learn and improve on the basis of experience.

Digital Dialogues 3 focuses on seven case studies (including the Office of the Prime Minister and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) that highlight the factors that help and hinder online engagement. The report finds that many government departments remain wary of using the internet to engage because it is new and unfamiliar. While some parts of government are willing to use an experimental and adaptable approach to online engagement, others were paralysed by a sense of risk leading to disappointment, disengagement and increased public distrust.

Andy Williamson, Director of the eDemocracy programme at the Hansard Society and co-author of the report commented: ‘This report highlights how to make online engagement work by providing simple to follow guidelines for good practice engagement. I hope it will allay some of the fears and concerns and encourage more government departments to take up the online challenge.'

Justice Minister Michael Wills said: ‘Online engagement presents exciting possibilities for citizens to talk to government. Through the Digital Dialogues programme we explore these possibilities and encourage officials to try new engagement methods. I hope this report will encourage good online practice and promote greater public participation in discussions of policy.'

For further information, contact Virginia Gibbons at the Hansard Society on

020 7438 1225 or 07812 765 552 or mediaprog@hansard.lse.ac.uk

Editor's Notes

Digital Dialogues is an independent review of ways in which central government can use new technologies to promote public engagement and democratic renewal. Running since 2005 and incorporating 25 case studies it was commissioned by the Ministry of Justice and carried out by Hansard Society.
The third report is available in full at http://www.digitaldialogues.org.uk (as are the reports for phases 1 and 2). The seven case studies examined in Digital Dialogues 3 are:

Office of Children's Commissioner
Department for Work and Pensions
Office of National Statistics
Office of the Prime Minister (10 Downing Street)
Food Standards Agency
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Sustainable Development Commission

The Hansard Society is an independent, non-partisan charity that operates across the political spectrum to support the democratic process and improve the relationship between the public, elected representatives and political institutions. We carry out an intensive programme of work aimed at enhancing engagement in civic and political life. The value of our resources, action research, on- and offline projects and events is recognised by representatives of all political parties, the business community, the voluntary sector and communities across the UK and overseas. More at http://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/
Established in 1997, the eDemocracy Programme was the first dedicated research unit to explore the political and social impact of information and communications technology (ICT). Today, we undertake research and evaluation and produce expert commentary and analysis. Our current programme of work explores the many faces of digital participation, engagement, political campaigning and parliamentary process.

Hansard Society fringe meetings at party conferences - 18 July, 2008

admin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:19:00 GMT

The Hansard Society is once again joining forces with Channel 4 to host three fringe meetings at this year's party conferences on the topic People Like Us: Is British Society fairly reflected in Parliament?

Liberal Democrats

Monday September 15, 6. 15pm at the Bourne Hall Hotel, Priory Road, Bournemouth

Speakers: Lord Dhlokia, Chris Huhne MP, Simon Hughes MP, Lembit Opik MP, Jo Swinson MP.

Chair: Katie Razzall, Channel Four News

Labour

Monday September 22, 6pm at Jury's Inn, Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester

Confirmed Speakers: Dawn Butler MP, Peter Oborne (Channel 4 Dispatches), Michael Wills MP.

Chair: Channel 4 Journalist (TBC)

Conservatives

Tuesday September 30, 6.30pm at the Copthorne Hotel, Paradise Circus Birmingham

Speakers: Iain Dale (Total Politics), Julie Kirkbride MP, Eleanor Laing MP, Theresa May MP, Baroness Warsi.

Chair: Katie Razzall, Channel Four News

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE FOR THESE MEETINGS

Parliamentary scrutiny does make a difference to legislation - 16 July 2008

admin — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:31:00 GMT

New Hansard Society research challenges conventional view of Parliament's effectiveness

A new book from the Hansard Society, Law in the Making: Influence and Change in the Legislative Process, analyses the elements that come together to make an act of Parliament and concludes that the widely-held view of Parliament as a ‘rubber stamp' for government legislation bears little resemblance to reality.

The research draws upon the findings from detailed case studies and over 80 interviews with ministers, MPs, peers, government and parliamentary officials and pressure groups. Key conclusions include:

Although there is a predominant belief within government that to change a bill is a sign of weakness, parliamentary scrutiny does make a difference to the final shape of an Act
MPs and peers, whether individually or collectively, have a larger impact than is commonly recognised
External actors have a marked influence on legislation, often by working closely with parliamentarians
Reforms have enhanced parliamentary scrutiny in recent years
Nonetheless, the volume and complexity of legislation continue to inhibit Parliament's effectiveness

Law in the Making: Influence and Change in the Legislative Process also suggests some recommendations for reform, including:

More structured and straightforward government consultations
An increase in pre-legislative scrutiny
Improvements to the committee stage

Fiona Booth, Hansard Society Chief Executive, commented: ‘Our research challenges the myth that government always gets its way. Parliamentary scrutiny, both in the Commons and the Lords, does make a significant difference to legislation.'

Law in the Making: Influence and Change in the Legislative Process is published on Wednesday July 16 at an event in Parliament where Rt Hon Jack Straw MP is keynote speaker.

For further information, to obtain a PDF copy of the research, contact Virginia Gibbons at the Hansard Society on mediaprog@hansard.lse.ac.uk or 020 7438 1225 or 07812 765 552

Editors' Notes

Law in the Making: Influence and Change in the Legislative Process looks primarily at five case studies, the Export Control Act 2002, the Equality Act 2006, the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 and the Welfare Reform Act 2007, tracking them through various stages of the legislative process. It also looks at other legislation, most notably Private Members' Bills.
Law in the Making: Influence and Change in the Legislative Process (ISBN 978 0900432 39 2, price £10 plus p&p) by Alex Brazier, Susanna Kalitowski & Gemma Rosenblatt with Matt Korris, is funded by the Nuffield Foundation and is available from the Hansard Society (http://www.hansardsociety.org.uk/).

2008: Women and the Vote - 30 June 2008

admin — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:04:00 GMT

The coalition celebrates 80 years of universal suffrage

On 2 July 2008, members of the 2008: Women and the Vote campaign (1) will celebrate the 80^th birthday of women finally winning equal voting rights as men (2).

With universal suffrage now eight decades old, the coalition partners are drawing attention to both the progress and the barriers still faced by women in British politics.

The alliance has now called on the British, Scottish and Welsh Governments, and political parties to put gender inequality back to the top of their agendas.

The 2008: Women and the Vote members commented:

Nan Sloane, Director, Centre for Women and Democracy
‘It has taken us 80 years to achieve 127 women MPs (out of 646), and the quality of our democracy is the poorer for the lack of women's active participation in it. We don't want to see another 80 years elapse before our grand-daughters get anywhere near parity of representation - we think this problem can and should be solved much more quickly than that, especially since democracies elsewhere in the world have already managed it.'

Beatrice Barleon, Women's Officer, Electoral Reform Society:
'It is now 80 years since adult men and women won the right to vote on equal terms. Yet still only 1 in 5 Members of our Parliament are women. Our neighbours in Scandinavia have managed it. Spain and even Rwanda have pulled it off (5). Now is the time for Britain to get serious on equality. This will require some more creative thinking than we have seen thus far, and must tackle the structural barriers to greater equality in representation. We have a winner takes all electoral system that experience has shown favours male incumbents. It's time for a change.'

Karen Dargo, Communications Lead, Engender
Our elected representatives should reflect the people they seek to serve. Women make up half the population and the fact that we do not have equal representation in Westminster or Holyrood is a failure of our democracy to truly represent the interests of all it's people.

Having a high number of women in the Scottish parliament 1999-2003 was shown to change the focus of the traditional political agenda and the way politics was carried out - becoming less adversarial and more consensual. Women MSPs also made an impact on the policy agenda with for example, substantial progress on action to tackle domestic violence. Equal representation is good for democracy and good for women.

Katherine Rake, Director, Fawcett Society
Eighty years ago a key milestone for women's rights was reached. However, full political equality for women is still a long way off. The low numbers of women in positions of political power raises serious questions about how open, meritocratic and relevant to the electorate the British political system is.

The call to address gender inequality is not simply a numbers game. It is about governments and political parties recognising the wider cost to democracy and society when women are not equally represented. We cannot afford to delay any longer in taking the steps required to transform the culture of UK politics to achieve a representative democracy that engages and is relevant to all.

Fiona Booth, Chief Executive, Hansard Society:
‘This anniversary is a milestone for how far women have come in the last 80 years but also highlights how much further we have to go to achieve equal political representation between the genders. I would like to call on the major political parties and the House of Commons authorities to work together to encourage more women to stand for Parliament and make the House a more female friendly place. We all need to tackle the pervasive culture of acceptance that means currently only one in five of our MPs are female. More needs to be done if we don't want to find ourselves in the same position 80 years from now. A well-established democracy like ours should be leading the international league tables for female representation, not lagging behind.'

Alexandra Runswick, Deputy Director, Unlock Democracy:
This anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate how far we have come and to commemorate the trailblazers who got us to where we are now. Without the suffragists and suffragettes this debate would still be stuck in the Victorian age. But in marking their legacy let us invoke their tireless reforming spirit at the same time.

After 80 years only 127 - 1 in 5 MPs are female and only 15 MPs come from a BAME community. One of our greatest challenges remains ensuring our elected representatives resemble the people in whose name they do their jobs. Unlock Democracy continues to campaign for a fair and participatory democracy.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Further information about the campaign can be found on www.womenandthevote.com

On 6th February 1918, the Representation of the People Act gained royal assent, granting women over 30 and married women the right to vote. This was followed 10 years later by the Equal Franchise Act (2nd July 1928) which extended the franchise to all women over 21.

Join us at Facebook
2008: Women and the Vote http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8634882182

Partners of the 2008: Women and the Vote campaign

Centre for Women and Democracy
www.cfwd.org.uk

Electoral Reform Society
www.electoral-reform.org.uk

Engender
www.engender.org.uk

The Fawcett Society
www.fawcett.org.uk

The Hansard Society
www.hansardsociety.org.uk

Unlock Democracy
www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk

Spain has currently 36.6 percent women in its lower House. Rwanda has 48.8 percent female Representatives.

Contacts
Contact Beatrice Barleon at the Electoral Reform Society on 020 7202 8600 or email press@womenandthevote.com

Hansard Society to give evidence to Finance Committee's Review of the Budget Process - 13 June 2008

admin — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:34:00 GMT

Alex Brazier, joint author of the Hansard Society's 2006 report The Fiscal Maze; Parliament, Government and Public Money will be giving evidence to the Finance Committee's review of the parliamentary budget process on Tuesday June 17.

The Fiscal Maze examined the Westminster Parliament's financial scrutiny and accountability. It investigated:

Which mechanisms could strengthen Parliament's ability to carry out financial scrutiny?
What can be done to ensure that this scrutiny work has more of an impact?

Findings and recommendations of The Fiscal Maze were influential on the Westminster Parliament's Liaison Committee Report Parliament and

Government Finance: Recreating Financial Scrutiny (published in April 2008).

The Fiscal Maze; Parliament, Government and Public Money (A. Brazier & V. Ram, July 2006) is available to download.

For further information, contact Virginia Gibbons on 020 7438 1225, 07812 765 552 or mediaprog@hansard.lse.ac.uk

Editors' Notes

The Hansard Society is the UK's leading independent, non-partisan political research and education charity. We aim to strengthen parliamentary democracy and encourage greater public involvement in politics
The Finance Committee launched a review of the Parliament's process for scrutinising the Scottish Government's budget on March 27, 2008
Alex Brazier is Director of the Hansard Society's Parliament and Government Programme which undertakes research on political and constitutional reform
Hansard Society Scotland provides an independent and non-partisan platform in Scotland to consider issues relating to the Scottish Parliament and the implications and lessons for other parts of UK parliamentary democracy. The programme includes events and activities to bring together MSPs and staff of the Parliament, political journalists and academics, modern studies teachers, corporate affairs staff in the private and voluntary sector, and others with an interest in parliamentary democracy in Scotland.

High Court right to force disclosure of MPs’ expenses - 16 May 2008

admin — Fri, 16 May 2008 13:11:00 GMT

Transparency and accountability vital for Parliamentary democracy

The Hansard Society welcomes the High Court ruling that MPs should disclose their expenses to the public.

Alex Boughton, Deputy Chief Executive of the Hansard Society commented:

“At a time when trust in our elected representatives is at a very low ebb it is important that politicians are accountable to the public they serve and are seen to be bound by the same conventions as the electorate. Transparency is key to a well functioning democracy and greater openness can only help restore trust in politics and faith that our representatives are spending public money in the most effective way.

“MPs’ expenses are clearly necessary to allow our representatives to serve the electorate to a high standard but it is also important that any abuses of trust are able to be highlighted and dealt with. This ruling is important to sustain Parliamentary democracy and accountability.”

For further information, contact Beccy Allen, Hansard Society Events and Communications Coordinator on 020 7438 1210 or mediaprog@hansard.lse.ac.uk

Editors' Note
• The Hansard Society is the UK's leading non-partisan political research and education charity which exists to strengthen parliamentary democracy and encourage greater public involvement in politics

Parliamentary e-Petitions - Politics lite? - 7 May, 2008

admin — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:56:00 GMT

Tuesday 20 May, 6-7.15pm, House of Commons

Speakers:

Richard Allan, Government Affairs Director, Europe, Cisco Systems
Bethan Jenkins AM, Member, Petitions Committee
Rt Hon Greg Knight MP, Chair, Procedure Committee
Andy Williamson, Director, eDemocracy Programme, Hansard Society

Chair:

Pete Picton, Online Editor, The Sun

This event will debate the implications of the Procedure Committee's recent report on e-Petitions, discuss what the next steps might be, how the process might work to ensure that the public are engaged and to limit disillusionment with Parliament.

To register for this event, please click here

Parliament must do more to scrutinise government spending, says Hansard Society - 21 April, 2008

admin — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:41:00 GMT

Liaison Committee's recommendations on financial scrutiny a real step forward

The Hansard Society welcomes the House of Commons' Liaison Committee Report on financial scrutiny and urges Parliament to do more to scrutinise and seek accountability for government spending.

The Hansard Society's report The Fiscal Maze; Parliament, Government and Public Money (2006), made several proposals to improve Parliament's financial scrutiny functions (detailed below). The Hansard Society welcomes the Liaison Committee's recommendations which, if implemented, represent a real move in the right direction.

In particular, we endorse the Committee's recommendations that there should be better and more comprehensible financial information from government and more time for debate and inquiry on government spending plans. Proposals to give Parliament opportunities to debate or vote on individual programmes or items of expenditure would strengthen Parliament's scrutiny role. In total, the Committee's proposals signal a change in how Parliament prioritises this crucial work.

Alex Brazier, Director of the Hansard Society Parliament and Government Programme, and joint author of The Fiscal Maze, commented:

'Effective scrutiny of government spending is essential for the operation of good government. Everyone - Parliament, Government and the public - has a strong interest in making sure that there is full transparency, debate and accountability of public money. The Liaison Committee's proposals should make a difference in achieving that.'

For further information, contact Virginia Gibbons on 020 7438 1225, 07812 765 552 or mediaprog@hansard.lse.ac.uk

Editors' Notes

The Hansard Society is the UK's leading independent, non-partisan political research and education charity. We aim to strengthen parliamentary democracy and encourage greater public involvement in politics.
The Fiscal Maze report's recommendations included:

Parliamentary committees should make greater use of the time between the pre-Budget report and the main Budget to take evidence on the government's plans and feed its recommendations back to government;
Parliament should become fully involved in the process leading up to the Comprehensive Spending Review;
A parliamentary committee should consider the entire Finance Bill in draft;
Parliament should improve its scrutiny of tax legislation and administration; options include establishing a separate Tax Administration or Taxation Committee in the Commons;
To give a higher priority to financial scrutiny, Parliament should consider piloting a Finance and Audit Sub-Committee for selected select committees.
There should be more systematic follow-up of the reports of the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee.

Download The Fiscal Maze; Parliament, Government and Public Money (A. Brazier & V. Ram, July 2006)