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24 Nov, 4 tweets, 3 min read
This looks bad. Government using its control of the Commons agenda to manipulate debate on whether MPs can participate virtually in proceedings during the pandemic.

Which is surely, if anything is, a matter that MPs themselves should be able properly and fairly to decide.
A reminder that the government has form on this.

This open letter to Jacob Rees-Mogg was sent in June by a group of democracy experts including @RuthFox01 @McEwen_Nicola @Smith1966G @estrangeirada @TimJHughes and @anthonyzach

constitution-unit.com/2020/06/08/end…
Oddly, this fails to mention Conservative @CommonsProcCom chair Karen Bradley, & the Conservative co-sponsor of @RhonddaBryant's amendment, & that they all supported that amendment in order to open up virtual participation to a larger number of excluded MPs but JRM blocked it.
Motion, not bill, but otherwise yes.

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More from @ConUnit_UCL

Constitution Unit Profile picture
26 Nov
1/
NEW REPORT

Following 14 months of research, deliberation, interviews and consultation, the Working Group on Unification Referendums on the Island of Ireland launches its interim report.

Report: bit.ly/3nWfRiC

Here is the report distilled into a summary thread 👇 Image
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What’s the report about?🤔

It explores how any future referendum on Northern Ireland’s constitutional status would best be designed and conducted.

The Group is neutral on whether a unification referendum should be held & on what the outcome should be.
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What is the Working Group?

The Group comprises researchers at universities in Belfast, Dublin, London, & USA, chaired by Unit Deputy Director @alanjrenwick

It is independent of both governments and all political parties.

Alan explains more in this 📹
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Constitution Unit Profile picture
25 Nov
1/
📢NEW EVENT SERIES 📢

To launch the Working Group on Unification Referendums on the Island of Ireland’s interim report the Group is convening a series of webinars.

The webinars are an opportunity for discussion of the report’s purposes, analysis, and conclusions

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The Unit is hosting one of the webinars

3 December @ 1pm

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Book: bit.ly/2HDNyGa
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The Unit is co-hosting a webinar with partners @TriCONDublin @tcddublin and @ucddublin for audiences in the Republic of Ireland on 1 December.

Sign up here: bit.ly/3fAc0EE
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Constitution Unit Profile picture
24 Nov
🚨EVENT: 'Reforming the House of Lords'🚨

Unit Director Meg Russell is joined on the panel by @Tanni_GT and @LordNortonLouth for what looks like will be a fascinating discussion on the House of Lords and reform @MileEndInst

Today at 12🕛

Sign up: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…
Meg explains that debates on Lords reform have long been a feature of British politics. Going back as far as 1911 there have been incremental reforms to the chamber.

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Constitution Unit Profile picture
20 Nov
1/ Big publication coming next week👀

The Working Group on Unification Referendums on the Island of Ireland launches its interim report on 26 Nov.

This will contain a wealth of considered analysis.

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Constitution Unit Profile picture
19 Nov
🚨 Government defeats in the House of Lords 🚨

Our website has been updated with two government defeats yesterday in the House of Lords on the UK Internal Market Bill.

To check out summaries of their effect and voting breakdowns see our website ⬇️⬇️ ucl.ac.uk/constitution-u…
These are in addition to the three record-breaking defeats on the Bill the government at second reading and committee stage ⬇️⬇️

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Constitution Unit Profile picture
18 Nov
🚨Starting now!🚨

Meg Russell joins the final #OxfordPutneyDebates🗣️

Meg will be discussing all things parliamentary sovereignty. Get involved: bit.ly/OxPD2020

The debates have been fascinating so far🧠
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Are we talking about sovereignty over the judiciary, the executive, devolved bodies, the people, or international affairs?
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