Directory of links:
Independent political bodies
Useful websites
British Institutions
European Institutions
Constitution Society events
Topics of interest
Independent political bodies:
The Electoral Commission aims to ensure“integrity and public confidence in the democratic process”.
The Hansard Society describes itself as “the UK's leading independent, non-partisan political research and education charity”, whose main aim is to seek to improve democratic process and public participation in UK politics.
The Better Government Initiative was formed as a response to widespread concerns about the practical difficulties which government today faces as it seeks to run the country against a background of rapid change.
The Constitution Unit at UCL is the UK's foremost independent research body on constitutional change. It is part of the UCL School of Public Policy.
"POWER2010 is a unique campaign to give everyone the chance to have a say in how our democracy works for us".
"The Electoral Reform Society is an independent campaigning organisation working to make politics better".
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Useful websites:
TheyWorkForYou is a website dedicated to increasing the transparency of government activity, by publishing information such as voting decisions of individual MPs, written questions and Commons debates. It also enables any citizen to find out the parliamentary activity undertaken by their own MP.
Blog written by various peers giving a fascinating insight into the goings on of the upper house.
Political blog, particularly useful as a resource for students and teachers.
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British institutions:
The UK Parliament’s official website, containing factual information, as well as a huge number of reports and publications regarding all aspects of Parliament and its internal organs.
The official website of the Cabinet Office, providing information relating to the workings of the office and its relationship to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.
The official website of the Civil Service.
The official website of the British Monarchy.
The UK’s final court of appeal for civil cases since its enactment in 2009.
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European institutions:
The official website of the European Parliament - the only directly-elected body of the EU.
The official website of the European Council, whose role is to set the political agenda and direction of the EU.
The offical website of the Council of the European Union - the main decision-making body of the EU.
The official website of the European Commission - the EU's executive body
The official website of the Council of Europe, a seperate body entirely to the EU which aims to promote certain democratic values and principles throughout Europe.
European Court of Human Rights
The official website of the European Court of Human rights, an international court which rules by interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights.
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Constitution Society events:
A debate on the need for a written constitution hosted by SPADA, a professional services PR company. Speakers at the debate were Richard Gordon QC, Sir Christopher Foster, Iain McLean and Bill Cash. See the full debate here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9
Event hosted by The Constitution Society on the subject of Renewing Democracy. Speaking at thie event were Douglas Carswell, Polly Toynbee and Ben Wilson. See the full event here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12
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