Alan Renwick

Alan Renwick

@alanrenwick.bsky.social

Professor of Democratic Politics and Director of the UCL Constitution Unit. Researching democratic reform in the UK and around the world. Views my own.

3.2K followers866 following110 posts

Alan Renwick reposted

Alan Renwick reposted

'Into this kaleidoscopic mix, Andy Burnham has thrown a grenade. He is the first modern prime minister to advocate scrapping the first-past-the-post voting system for Westminster elections.' Our Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, was in @financialtimes.com this weekend. Read it 👇️

giftarticle.ft.comGet used to multi-party politics, it’s here to stayThe prime minister’s promise on electoral reform could entrench the complex fights between five, even six parties

Sad news indeed. UKICE has done brilliant work, helping to ground Brexit debates in fact and evidence, and showing how to communicate social science with both accuracy and elan. Thank you to @anandmenon.bsky.social for your brilliant leadership, and to all the team for your stellar work.

Anand Menon@anandmenon.bsky.social

An announcement. There will be plenty of time to reflect on what we've achieved, and on the fantastic colleagues who have helped us achieve it. But for now, sad news ukandeu.ac.uk/announcement... 1/2

Alan Renwick reposted

Alan Renwick reposted

Alan Renwick reposted

'The electoral system is the very heart of our democracy. Any decisions about it need to be taken with the greatest possible care.' Our Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, has written for @uk.theconversation.com about today's announcement of a National Commission on Electoral Reform. Read it 👇

Alan Renwick@alanrenwick.bsky.social

Immediate thoughts on Andy Burnham's announcement today of a national commission on electoral reform. Doing this process well will be really important. theconversation.com/if-he-wants-...

Andy Burnham has announced a National Commission on Electoral Reform. The voting system is the heart of our democracy: this will be a vital debate. The Constitution Unit will work to ensure it’s an informed debate. Look out for our project launching next week examining the options and their effects.

Alan Renwick reposted

Double referendum processes have long intrigued me, so my ears pricked up when I saw there was one under way in Alberta. Leah Trueblood suggests, however, that it’s not an example to follow.

Some new thoughts from me on the Constitution Unit's blog. What's the Burnham government up to? And what new projects can you look out for from the Constitution Unit in the coming months? (Answer to both: lots and lots!)

Alan Renwick reposted

It has been a busy week at the Constitution Unit! On Tuesday, our Deputy Director, Tom Fleming, gave oral evidence to the House of Commons Modernisation Committee on how House of Commons time is used with @louisevthompson.bsky.social, David Natzler and @courtenayilbert.bsky.social. Find out more 👇️

ucl.ac.ukTom Fleming gives evidence to the Modernisation Committee on how House of Commons time is usedThe Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit gave oral evidence to MPs as part of an inquiry into Backbench Business Committee and Petitions Committee Debates.

Alan Renwick reposted

Meg Russell is on the latest episode of the UCL Uncovering Politics podcast. She discusses her career, including serving as our Director from 2015 to 2026 while fundamentals of the constitution came to be questioned and challenged, and how the UK's political system might be strengthened. Listen 👇️

the-constitution-unit.simplecast.comSix Prime Ministers and a Brexit: Meg Russell Reflects on British DemocracyThis week we reflect on the career and ideas of Professor Meg Russell, one of the UK's leading experts on parliament and constitutional change.

Alan Renwick reposted

Alan Renwick reposted

The Constitution Unit's summer conference on The Constitution under Labour - one excellent panel after another, all on important and fascinating topics. You can watch them here, and I highly recommend you do!

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

On the first day of our conference, we had four fascinating discussions about: 🌍️ UK–EU relations 📈 Restoring public confidence in UK democracy 📣 Choosing political party leaders ✍️ Making policy on difficult issues Listen 👉️ linktr.ee/constitution.... Watch 👉️ www.youtube.com/playlist?lis....

It's fascinating to revisit this post ten years on. OK, point 9 turned out to be wrong. But the rest holds up pretty well! It has lasted because it drew on great analysis done by many people - much of it, including ours, supported by the brilliant @ukandeu.bsky.social. Huge thanks to them all!

How might a Burnham premiership change the constitution? Join us on 9 July for a discussion with three great experts.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

Now that Andy Burnham is returning to Westminster, and possibly heading to Downing Street, what next for constitutional reform? On 9 July, join Frances Foley, @cathhaddon.bsky.social and @lisajames.bsky.social to discuss just this at our free, online event. Sign up 👉️ ucl.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

Excellent new UCL Constitution Unit report out today. Andrew Tyrie argues the Intelligence and Security Committee needs beefing up, and sets out proposals for how to do that.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

Watching the Watchers: The Intelligence and Security Committee: From Form to Substance A new Constitution Unit report by Andrew Tyrie makes proposals to address constraints on the Intelligence and Security Committee through a series of reforms. Read it 👇

Alan Renwick reposted

Want to know how to change House of Commons procedures? Here is your guide.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

Reforming the Commons: The backbench MP's guide to achieving procedural change Our new guide, published today, says that procedural reform is important, but changing how the House of Commons operates can appear daunting. It aims to help backbench MPs, and others, who want to do this. Read it 👇

Alan Renwick reposted

Lots of fascinating food for thought here.

Ballot Box Scotland@ballotbox.scot

SP26: Switching up the System Following the most disproportionate result in Holyrood's history, it's high time we started thinking about how to do things differently, and what would be most effective.

How would a Burnham premiership change the constitution? The Constitution Unit's new Deputy Director, Tom Fleming, answers all your questions.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

NEW BLOG: What could an Andy Burnham premiership mean for constitutional reform? As Burnham begins his attempt to reach Downing Street via Makerfield, new Unit Deputy Director Tom Fleming discusses how a change of Prime Minister might change the government’s approach to constitutional reform.

Alan Renwick reposted

Alan Renwick reposted

"There is a strong democratic case for returning to a system of electing leaders by a party’s MPs, at least when the party is in office". Good, wide-ranging piece on "the revolving-door premiership" by @alanrenwick.bsky.social, the new director of the @conunitucl.bsky.social.

Alan Renwick reposted

Some thoughts from me on the current political situation. Frequent turnover at the top highlights problems in how leaders are chosen, in institutions, and in deeper political culture.

Do watch Meg Russell's fantastic valedictory lecture as UCL Constitution Unit Director, delivered last week. It was a wonderful occasion. Meg, as always, provided a sparkling analysis of the state of our democracy: what needs to change and what we must work hard to hold on to.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

'We need to future-proof the system... And we need explicitly to recognise and convince others of the fundamental merits of the democratic system, its fragility and of course that the alternatives are much worse.' Meg Russell gave her valedictory lecture as Director last week. Watch and listen 👇

It's quite a day to be taking over at the UCL Constitution Unit! Meg gave a fantastic speech last night to close her time in charge - video coming very soon. Thank you, Meg, for all your stellar work! Our mission to conduct rigorous research that helps inform debate on political reform goes on.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

Today is a big day at the Constitution Unit as @alanrenwick.bsky.social takes over as Director and Tom Fleming becomes Deputy Director. Congratulations and good luck! Read our announcement from last month 👇

The Constitution Unit has a great new report out this morning, in which @alanwhysall.bsky.social argues for greater attention to problems of governance in Northern Ireland, and explores options to fix them.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

Improving Government in Northern Ireland: Towards a Programme for Reform A new working paper by @alanwhysall.bsky.social calls for a debate, and considers initial ideas, to improve the performance of Northern Ireland's political institutions. Read it 👇

Alan Renwick reposted

I'm thrilled to be taking over as Director of the Constitution Unit next month. Amid many challenges to democracy, our work remains vital. But, gosh, it's daunting to try to fill Meg Russell's shoes! She has been a terrific Director for over a decade, and will be an incredibly hard act to follow.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

We are set to enter a new era on 13 May as @alanrenwick.bsky.social takes over from Meg Russell as our Director. Tom Fleming will become Deputy Director and a new lecturer will join us next year. We can also confirm that our annual conference will happen on 24 and 25 June. Read all about it 👇

Alan Renwick reposted

On a quick read this looks very welcome indeed. Philip Rycroft will be saying a few words about his review at the @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk annual conference tomorrow.

Alan Renwick@alanrenwick.bsky.social

Three excellent things have just happened: 1) the Rycroft Review of pol finance has been published 2) govt is implementing key changes with immediate effect 3) those changes got cross-party support in the Commons. Careful scrutiny of the detail will now be essential. www.gov.uk/government/p...

Three excellent things have just happened: 1) the Rycroft Review of pol finance has been published 2) govt is implementing key changes with immediate effect 3) those changes got cross-party support in the Commons. Careful scrutiny of the detail will now be essential. www.gov.uk/government/p...

gov.ukThe Rycroft Review: Report of the independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politicsReport of the independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics.

I'm looking forward very much to giving this lecture in Oxford in May - it's a huge privilege to have been asked to do it, and it's a chance for me to explore some questions that have long intrigued me. It would be lovely to see lots of you there!

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

On 5 May, our Deputy Director, @alanrenwick.bsky.social, will be giving the annual Bingham Lecture in Constitutional Studies. He will discuss the 'Westminster vision' and 'Whitehall vision' of the UK constitution. Find out more about this in-person event 👉 www.alumniweb.ox.ac.uk/balliol/even....

The latest Constitution Unit Monitor, rounding up constitutional developments since November, is now online. It's a bumper edition. Challenges to the established order are growing. The government is pursuing some changes in response. But are they enough?

*Representation of the People Bill update* Steve Reed has just announced: 'We will repeal in full the power for government to impose a strategy and policy statement on the Electoral Commission'. A very welcome change. I set out last week why it was needed. constitution-unit.com/2026/02/26/t...

constitution-unit.comThe Representation of the People Bill: contours of the debates to comeThe government’s long-awaited proposals for electoral reforms, published last month, will receive their first scrutiny in the House of Commons next Monday. Ahead of that debate, Alan Renwick analys…

Alan Renwick reposted

We're recruiting! Please do spread the news far and wide. We're excited by the prospect of being joined by another great new colleague!

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

Join and help to lead the Constitution Unit! @uclspp.bsky.social is looking for a Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics who will also join our senior team and contribute to our research and impact activities. Applicants must have, or be near to finishing, a PhD. Apply 👇

Really looking forward to speaking at this event tomorrow on democracy, and hearing the perspectives of other participants. There's an option to attend online for those who can't join in person - just follow the link below for details.

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

@alanrenwick.bsky.social is speaking at an in-person event at Kensington Central Library tomorrow night. Co-organised with Operation Black Vote and @unlockdemocracy.bsky.social, the event is part of a series about how democracy works and how to shape political decisions. Sign up 👇

The Constitution Unit's latest round-up of constitutional developments in the UK is out now!

UCL Constitution Unit@conunitucl.bsky.social

The latest edition of our triannual constitutional review is now available! Monitor 91 warns that 'changes feel timid and reluctant in the face of serious threats' and explains what is happening across the constitutional spectrum. Read it 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo.... Or browse our thread 👇

Alan Renwick reposted

Between 2019 and 2021, we led the Working Group on Unification Referendums on the Island of Ireland. This examined how any future referendum on the constitutional status of Northern Ireland would be best designed and conducted. Find out more 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Alan Renwick reposted