The constitution by topic
Constitution includes the following topic areas. Please click the links to access lists of publications by topic:
Devolution
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Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: HL Bill 59 of 2026–27
The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill is a government bill that completed its House of Commons stages in October 2026. Among other things, it would repeal and replace parts of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, set expanded parameters for a renamed Legacy Commission and allow inquests to be reopened. The bill was opposed by opposition parties in the Commons, who flagged concerns about repeated investigations and the impact on veterans.
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Debate on proposals for a written constitution
The UK is one of the few democratic countries that does not have a codified constitution. Instead, the UK has a set of constitutional arrangements contained in various statutes, judicial decisions, conventions and precedents. The prime minister, Andy Burnham, has said his devolution agenda strengthens the case for a written constitution. This briefing summarises some of the arguments that have been made for and against a written constitution.
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House of Lords (Alternative Second Chamber) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 11 of 2026–27
The House of Lords (Alternative Second Chamber Bill) [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (Plaid Cymru). It would require the secretary of state to carry out a consultation regarding proposals for replacing the House of Lords with an alternative second chamber. The bill specifies whom the secretary of state would be required to consult with and the timeframe of that consultation.
Elections
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Local government: Democratic accountability, citizen participation and electoral reform
The House of Lords is due to debate democratic accountability, citizen participation and electoral reform in local government. This briefing examines local government in England, including government plans for further devolution, arrangements for local audit and scrutiny, and how citizens participate in local decision-making. It also considers voting systems for council and mayoral elections and proposals for electoral reform.
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Representation of the People Bill: HL Bill 47 of 2026–27
The bill is a government bill that would make a range of changes to the legal framework concerning elections, including extending the franchise for UK parliamentary elections and other reserved elections to 16- and 17-year-olds. The bill was amended during both its committee and report stages in the House of Commons, with many of the government’s later amendments implementing recommendations from the Rycroft review on countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics.
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Political party finance and the Electoral Commission: Regulatory powers and proposed changes
The Electoral Commission is the regulator for political party funding in the UK. Through the Representation of the People Bill, the government is seeking to expand the commission’s civil sanctions remit and increase the fines it can impose.
Government
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Selected offices and roles held in politics, the judiciary and crown service by current members of the House of Lords
This briefing provides information on current members of the House of Lords who have held selected public roles, drawing together data on experience in Parliament, government, local authorities and other areas of crown service. For example, it lists those members who have served as MPs in the House of Commons or as members of the UK’s devolved legislatures, as members of the cabinet, or as senior civil servants.
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Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill: HL Bill 61 of 2026–27
The bill would end historic restrictions on Catholic or Jewish ministers advising the sovereign on Church of England or Church of Scotland appointments or making appointments themselves. Andy Burnham is the UK’s first Catholic prime minister. MPs generally supported the bill, which passed through the House of Commons without amendment.
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Debate on proposals for a written constitution
The UK is one of the few democratic countries that does not have a codified constitution. Instead, the UK has a set of constitutional arrangements contained in various statutes, judicial decisions, conventions and precedents. The prime minister, Andy Burnham, has said his devolution agenda strengthens the case for a written constitution. This briefing summarises some of the arguments that have been made for and against a written constitution.
Local government
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Malvern Hills Bill [HL] Committee: Special report
The House of Lords is due to debate a select committee report on the Malvern Hills Bill [HL] on 2 December 2026. This private bill, introduced in the 2024–26 session, would consolidate the law governing the Malvern Hills Trust and make some changes to the trust’s governance and powers. Following a high number of petitions against the bill, the committee made some amendments. The bill cannot progress this session unless both Houses agree to revive it.
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Local government: Democratic accountability, citizen participation and electoral reform
The House of Lords is due to debate democratic accountability, citizen participation and electoral reform in local government. This briefing examines local government in England, including government plans for further devolution, arrangements for local audit and scrutiny, and how citizens participate in local decision-making. It also considers voting systems for council and mayoral elections and proposals for electoral reform.
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Empty homes in England and Wales
Stakeholders have argued that each empty home removes a property from the housing market at a time of unaffordable rents, rising homelessness, record levels of temporary accommodation use and long waits for social housing. A group of industry stakeholders have called on the government to produce a national empty homes strategy aimed at bringing such properties back into use.
Parliament
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Northern Ireland Troubles Bill: HL Bill 59 of 2026–27
The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill is a government bill that completed its House of Commons stages in October 2026. Among other things, it would repeal and replace parts of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023, set expanded parameters for a renamed Legacy Commission and allow inquests to be reopened. The bill was opposed by opposition parties in the Commons, who flagged concerns about repeated investigations and the impact on veterans.
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Selected offices and roles held in politics, the judiciary and crown service by current members of the House of Lords
This briefing provides information on current members of the House of Lords who have held selected public roles, drawing together data on experience in Parliament, government, local authorities and other areas of crown service. For example, it lists those members who have served as MPs in the House of Commons or as members of the UK’s devolved legislatures, as members of the cabinet, or as senior civil servants.
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Church Appointments (Repeal of Discriminatory Provision) Bill: HL Bill 61 of 2026–27
The bill would end historic restrictions on Catholic or Jewish ministers advising the sovereign on Church of England or Church of Scotland appointments or making appointments themselves. Andy Burnham is the UK’s first Catholic prime minister. MPs generally supported the bill, which passed through the House of Commons without amendment.
