UCL Constitution Unit

Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties and calls on parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements and consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties

ON THE BLOG: Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons

Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties and calls on parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements and consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties

Government Defeats in the House of Lords This page links to summaries and voting records for each parliamentary session since 2005–06.

The government has been defeated 127 times this session.

Find out more 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo...

The amendment requires local authority consent before a child is withdrawn from school should there currently be, or previously have been, any enquiries, proceedings or action initiated under section 31 or 47 of the Children Act, or if the child is deemed ‘in need’.

Government Defeats in the House of Lords

The government was defeated 231 to 147 votes on amendment 121A to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill at report stage.

👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

The amendment replaces the proposed limit on the number of branded school uniform items a school can require a student to purchase with a monetary cap on total cost instead.

Government Defeats in the House of Lords

🧵 The government was defeated in the House of Lords twice Wednesday, 28 January 2026.

The government was defeated 255 to 183 votes on amendment 114 to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill at report stage.

👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

The Constitution Unit. Is the monarchy sufficiently accountable? 26 February 2026, 1:00pm–2:00pm. Valentine Low (Former royal correspondent for The Times and author of Power and the Palace). Prof Helle Krunke (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Copenhagen). Dr David Torrance (Research specialist at the House of Commons Library).

How is the royal family (and its finances) scrutinised by parliament? By the government? By the media?

On 26 February, join Valentine Low, Helle Krunke and David Torrance at our free, online event to discuss whether the monarchy is sufficiently accountable.

Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties and calls on parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements and consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties

ON THE BLOG: Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons

Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties and calls on parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements and consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties

Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons Following the Unit’s January seminar, Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?, panellist Louise Thompson explains the procedural and logistical obstacles facing small parties in the House of Commons. She calls for parliamentary institutions to adapt their processes, and concludes that formalising some current informal arrangements and looking at ways to increase equalities of opportunity across all opposition parties would be sensible next steps.

ON THE BLOG: Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons

Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties and calls on parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements and consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties

Princes, the prerogative and letters patent A Statute Law Society event, hosted by UCL Laws

Princes, the prerogative and letters patent

Our founder, Robert Hazell, is speaking alongside @craigprescott.bsky.social at a hybrid @statutelawsociety.bsky.social event, hosted by @laws.ucl.ac.uk, next Thursday evening.

Sign up (it costs £8, but is free for members and UCL staff and students) 👇

Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons Following the Unit’s January seminar, Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?, panellist Louise Thompson explains the procedural and logistical obstacles facing small parties in the House of Commons. She calls for parliamentary institutions to adapt their processes, and concludes that formalising some current informal arrangements and looking at ways to increase equalities of opportunity across all opposition parties would be sensible next steps.

ON THE BLOG: Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons

Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties and calls on parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements and consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties

Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons Following the Unit's January seminar, Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?, panellist Louise Thompson explains the procedural and logistical obstacles facing small parties in the House of Commons. She calls for parliamentary institutions to adapt their processes, and concludes that formalising some current informal arrangements and looking at ways to increase equalities of opportunity across all opposition parties would be sensible next steps.

NEW BLOG: Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons

Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties and calls on parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements and consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties

The Constitution Unit. Is the monarchy sufficiently accountable? 26 February 2026, 1:00pm–2:00pm. Valentine Low (Former royal correspondent for The Times and author of Power and the Palace). Prof Helle Krunke (Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Copenhagen). Dr David Torrance (Research specialist at the House of Commons Library).

How is the royal family (and its finances) scrutinised by parliament? By the government? By the media?

On 26 February, join Valentine Low, Helle Krunke and David Torrance at our free, online event to discuss whether the monarchy is sufficiently accountable.

Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....

Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons Following the Unit’s January seminar, Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?, panellist Louise Thompson explains the procedural and logistical obstacles facing small parties in the House of Commons. She calls for parliamentary institutions to adapt their processes, and concludes that formalising some current informal arrangements and looking at ways to increase equalities of opportunity across all opposition parties would be sensible next steps.

NEW BLOG: Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons

Louise Thompson explains the obstacles facing small parties. She calls for parliamentary institutions to formalise informal arrangements consider ways to increase equalities of opportunity for all parties

Question 3 from the survey.

We want to hear from you!

Having celebrated our 30th birthday last year, we think that now is a good time to take a fresh look at what we are doing, how we are doing it and whether we could make any improvements.

Complete our short survey 👉 qualtrics.ucl.ac.uk/jfe/form/SV_....

Government Defeats in the House of Lords This page links to summaries and voting records for each parliamentary session since 2005–06.

The government has been defeated 125 times this session.

Find out more 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo...

The amendment inserts a clause requiring the Secretary of State to direct Chief Medical Officers to publish guidance for parents on child social media use & to make regulations, subject to approval by both Houses, requiring platforms to use age verification to prevent under-16s using their services.

Government Defeats in the House of Lords

The government was defeated 261 to 150 votes on amendment 94A to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill at report stage.

👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

The amendment inserts a clause requiring the Secretary of State to make regulations within 12 months of the passing of the Act compelling VPN providers to prevent children from using their services, through the use of age verification systems.

Government Defeats in the House of Lords

🧵 The government was defeated in the House of Lords twice yesterday, 21 January 2026.

The government was defeated 207 to 159 votes on amendment 92 to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill at report stage.

👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

The 2024 election delivered an unusually fragmented opposition; almost half the non-government seats in the House of Commons were won by parties other than the Conservative 'Official Opposition'.… Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?

Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?

Earlier this week we were joined by @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons.

Listen to a recording 👉 linktr.ee/constitution....

Or watch a recording 👇

The 2024 election delivered an unusually fragmented opposition; almost half the non-government seats in the House of Commons were won by parties other than the Conservative 'Official Opposition'.… Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?

Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?

Earlier today we were joined by @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons.

Listen to a recording 👉 linktr.ee/constitution....

Or watch a recording 👇

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Government Defeats in the House of Lords This page links to summaries and voting records for each parliamentary session since 2005–06.

The government has been defeated 123 times this session.

Find out more 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo...

The amendment requires NHS England, integrated care boards, and other specified health authorities to make joint funding arrangements for the accommodation of children placed in secure accommodation.

Government Defeats in the House of Lords

The government was defeated 159 to 153 votes on amendment 56 to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill at report stage.

👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

The amendment requires regional co-operation agreements relating to the accommodation of looked after children to include the local integrated care board in their development, delivery and governance.

Government Defeats in the House of Lords

The government was defeated 216 to 161 votes on amendment 51 to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill at report stage.

👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...

The amendment inserts a clause extending the requirements to promote contact between a child in care and their siblings, where consistent with the child’s welfare, to include siblings who are not in care.

Government Defeats in the House of Lords

The government was defeated 232 to 160 votes on amendment 49 to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill at report stage.

👉 votes.parliament.uk/votes/lords/...