Political Studies Association/Hansard Society Annual Lecture

admin — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:26:00 GMT

The 2008 lecture will be given by

Rt Hon Clare Short MP

Making Politics Fit For Purpose

Wednesday October 29

6.30pm, Westminster

This lecture is open to all

Hansard Society at Party Conferences

admin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:44:00 GMT

The Hansard Society is holding joint fringe meetings with Channel 4 at this year's party conferences asking the question:

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

* 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?

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

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