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Aug 19, 2020 7 tweets 3 min read Read on X
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NEW BLOGPOST: @alanjrenwick & @MichelaPalese, authors of the Unit’s Doing Democracy Better report, write about the govt’s new election transparency rules for @prospect_uk. They conclude that while the rules are a welcome step, they don’t go far enough.
bit.ly/31crmKh
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The rules will require online election materials to carry an imprint – a disclosure stating the name and address of whoever is promoting and paying for them. The rules will apply to material regardless of where in the world it comes from & will be in force all year round.
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With online campaigning growing in importance—from less than 1% of campaign ad spending a decade ago to near half today - the new rules are long overdue. The Electoral Commission has called for such a move since 2003. Image
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But the authors argue that the government needs to go further:

1⃣. Digital platforms should be required to set up online ad libraries, where anyone can view current and past political ads and see detailed information on where those ads have been targeted.
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2⃣. A comprehensive digital media literacy strategy covering schools and the general public should be developed and implemented. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to this in its paper on imprints - bit.ly/2YbEugv, but concrete action is now needed
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3⃣. More broadly, steps should be taken to improve the availability of high-quality information for voters, both on- and offline. Electoral democracy functions effectively only if voters can access the information they want from sources they trust.
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You can read more about our project on improving discourse during elections and referendums here: bit.ly/3h6r4Ki

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More from @ConUnit_UCL

Feb 22, 2023
Amidst much current talk of the NI Protocol and the ERG, Meg Russell and @james_lisak's forthcoming book sheds new light on this saga.

The ERG voted for the Protocol, as part of Johnson's deal, but very reluctantly. They feared that Brexit would otherwise be lost.

1/ Image
David Frost's subsequent comments are quite well known.

Less so are claims in ERG member Mark Francois' book that the group promised, in private talks with No. 10, to support the deal only on the strict understanding that the NI Protocol would be changed.

2/ Image
Francois says this was 'conveyed very clearly in private to the PM & No 10'.

If true, this means Johnson privately pledged to change the legal agreement he'd just reached before parliament had voted on it, & before selling it in general election 2019 as 'oven ready'.

3/
Read 4 tweets
Oct 20, 2022
So, another leadership contest for another new Prime Minister.

🧵Some key constitutional reminders:

1. The last contest was triggered by serious concerns about constitutional standards under the Johnson government.

Five questions for the candidates.

constitution-unit.com/2022/07/08/reb…
2. The financial and political crisis generated by Truss had constitutional roots built on Johnson's record.

She demonstrated the risks of ignoring appropriate checks and balances: sidelining expert officials and regulators, and shutting out her own MPs.

constitution-unit.com/2022/10/05/the…
3. Truss's predecessor routinely demonstrated impatience with constitutional norms, and risked normalising constitutional controversy.

constitution-unit.com/2022/09/04/bor…
Read 6 tweets
Oct 5, 2022
The Truss premiership has seen economic & political turmoil & a historic Labour lead.

Director Meg Russell argues the current crisis has been built on a foundation of poor constitutional governance and practice, established under her predecessor.

constitution-unit.com/2022/10/05/the…

1/
3 legacy characteristics of Johnson’s constitutional regime have been notable in the current crisis:

🚨a strained relationship with the civil service
🚨tension over the role of constitutional regulators 🚨sidelining of parliamentary scrutiny.

2/
Johnson held little regard for constitutional checks and balances, and his approach to constitutional norms and standards appeared central to his downfall in July 2022:

constitution-unit.com/2022/07/08/reb…

3/
Read 9 tweets
May 16, 2022
The Northern Ireland #Protocol is top of the news. So how did we get here? The Unit's Meg Russell and @james_lisak explore.

@theresa_may as PM negotiated a Brexit deal that sought to avoid most of these problems. But it was blocked. Who by?

1/12

ukandeu.ac.uk/?p=49364&previ…
As May recalled in the Commons last week, the DUP were part of that blocking majority.

But there were "others". She refrains from saying who, but voters against included Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab, Priti Patel, Jacob Rees-Mogg & Suella Braverman.

2/12

May was forced out by the Brexit hardliners. Johnson took over and pledged to "get Brexit done". 🤔

Yes, confusing. But he meant a different Brexit. Perhaps even a no-deal Brexit.

Johnson and David Frost briefed that they were prepared for this.

3/12

telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…
Read 13 tweets
Mar 16, 2022
NEW MONITOR: The 80th edition of Monitor was published today. It provides analysis of the last 4 months of constitutional news and contains sections on parliament, elections, devolution, the courts, & the monarchy. It is free and available now:
ucl.ac.uk/constitution-u…
2/8 The PARLIAMENT section includes analysis of the fractious relationship between the government and parliament (including its own backbenchers & a record number of Lords defeats), and concerns about the proper scrutiny of delegated legislation.
3/8 The PARLIAMENT section also reports on parliamentary standards, including suggested changes to the Code of Conduct, & the Ryder review.
It discusses plans for the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster, which once again appear to be in flux.
Read 9 tweets
Feb 10, 2022
Starting shortly! The Unit is holding a fascinating seminar on: What Kind of Democracy Do People Want?

Our panel
@alanjrenwick
@p_surridge
@jamesjohnson252
Chair: Professor Meg Russell
Professor Meg Russell begins the seminar introducing our new report: ucl.ac.uk/constitution-u…

This report, on attitudes towards democracy in the UK, is extremely timely, and have been quoted by the press and politicians. This morning, former PM John Major quoted our findings.
Professor Alan Renwick @alanjrenwick introduces key aspects of this project.

First, this report is based on our survey of around 6500 people conducted last summer. This was before the Owen Paterson affair and the “partygate” issue.
Read 17 tweets

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