Meg Russell
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View article: Representation of the UK Parliament’s Power in the National Media: Too Weak, or Too Strong?
Representation of the UK Parliament’s Power in the National Media: Too Weak, or Too Strong? Open
Representations of UK parliamentary power in the popular media have attracted little attention, despite shaping citizens’ impressions of the institution. We begin to close this gap, through a content analysis of 657 articles in the nationa…
View article: The Muddle of the ‘Westminster Model’: A Concept Stretched Beyond Repair
The Muddle of the ‘Westminster Model’: A Concept Stretched Beyond Repair Open
The term ‘Westminster model’, widely used in both the academic and practitioner literatures, is a familiar one. But detailed examination finds significant confusion about its meaning. This article follows Giovanni Sartori's advice for ‘rec…
View article: Parliament and Brexit: what went wrong, and why we urgently need to fix it
Parliament and Brexit: what went wrong, and why we urgently need to fix it Open
The UK Parliament was blamed for delaying Brexit – but in reality, says Meg Russell (UCL), that was down to internal splits in the Conservative party. Nonetheless, we now urgently need to rebuild trust in the institution that represents us.
View article: Brexit and Parliament: The Anatomy of a Perfect Storm
Brexit and Parliament: The Anatomy of a Perfect Storm Open
The Westminster parliament lies at the heart of UK democracy. Yet its role and powers became increasingly controversial during the ‘Brexit’ process, following the 2016 referendum decision to leave the European Union. Fierce arguments were …
View article: Foreword: Bicameralism in an age of populism
Foreword: Bicameralism in an age of populism Open
Despite the importance of second chambers to the success of constitutional democracies around the world, today many fundamental questions about bicameralism remain understudied and undertheorized. What makes bicameral reform so difficult? …
View article: How long would it take to hold a second referendum on Brexit
How long would it take to hold a second referendum on Brexit Open
With exit day less than seven months away, one of the perceived obstacles to a second Brexit referendum is time. Jess Sargeant, Alan Renwick and Meg Russell (UCL Constitution Unit) discuss the constraints, concluding a new referendum could…
View article: A second referendum is clearly possible
A second referendum is clearly possible Open
Two years on from the Brexit vote, the benefits of a second referendum are being hotly debated. In this post, Jess Sargeant, Alan Renwick and Meg Russell (Constitution Unit) identify seven questions that should be considered before parliam…
View article: Attempts to change the British House of Lords into a second chamber of the nations and regions: explaining a history af failed reforms
Attempts to change the British House of Lords into a second chamber of the nations and regions: explaining a history af failed reforms Open
The House of Lords is the world’s longest-established and probably best-known second chamber. Wholly unelected, with most members appointed for life, it appears a vestige of the ‘elite’ form of bicameralism once common throughout Europe. H…
View article: Corbyn as an Organisational Phenomenon: A Response to Steve Richards
Corbyn as an Organisational Phenomenon: A Response to Steve Richards Open
Steve Richards sets out convincingly some of the political and ideological currents that led to the rise of Jeremy Corbyn. But his unexpected election was also an organisational phenomenon—touching on key issues of internal party democracy…