Review of the UK Constitution

Over 18 months we assessed the functioning of the UK constitution and proposed practical, innovative and robust ideas for reform.

In collaboration with the Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge we conducted research into the functioning of the UK’s core institutions, the different levels of government in the UK, and the relationship between the people and the state.

Over the course of the review, we published original research reports and guest papers written by external experts sharing their perspectives about the functioning of different aspects of the constitution. We also held public events and private roundtables across the UK. Our activity was supported by an advisory panel made up of those with experience in different parts of the constitution in all parts of the UK.

We published the final report of the Review in September 2023. Building on everything we learned from internal research, guest papers and events, this report sets out our recommendations for how to strengthen the existing political constitution.

19 SEP 2023 Report

Review of the UK Constitution: Final report

The UK constitution needs urgent reform to fix crisis of trust in UK politics.

12 JUL 2023 Report

Electoral reform and the constitution

A new electoral system has important implications far beyond election outcomes.

24 MAY 2023 Insight paper

Views on the constitution from across the UK

Lessons from a series of roundtables

03 FEB 2022 Report

A framework for reviewing the UK constitution

The Institute for Government and Bennett Institute for Public Policy launch a major review of the UK constitution.

06 APR 2023 Report

Devolving English government

Devolved government in England is failing due to chronic over-centralisation, an incoherent tangle of institutions and a “democratic deficit”.

08 DEC 2022 Report

The legislative process: How to empower parliament

Government should give parliament proper power to scrutinise legislation.

07 NOV 2022 Report

Constitutional guardians

Ministers must do more to strengthen the UK's constitutional guardians.

Review of the UK Constitution: final report

The UK constitution needs urgent reform to fix crisis of trust in UK politics.

Read the report

08 FEB 2024 Insight paper

The Union and the state

Whether the UK survives in its current form or what it will look like if it doesn’t stay together, will hinge on which vision prevails.

06 SEP 2023 Insight paper

Putting citizens at the heart of the UK constitution

This guest paper argues that the UK’s model of democracy and government does not put citizens at the heart of decision making – it should.

06 SEP 2023 Insight paper

In defence of the UK’s unwritten political constitution

The UK constitution has been under pressure in recent years, but it is not broken or in disarray, writes guest author Brian Christopher Jones.

14 AUG 2023 Insight paper

Constitutional change in Northern Ireland

This guest paper explores the constitutional history of Northern Ireland, and the challenges it faces today.

15 MAY 2023 Insight paper

The contested boundaries of devolved legislative competence

Why devolved competence has become more contested.

28 APR 2023 Insight paper

The regulation of political finance

What are the challenges to the current regulatory system for political finance?

29 MAR 2023 Insight paper

Constitutional entrenchment and parliamentary sovereignty

The most effective way of making constitutional principles harder to overturn is through a combination of legal and political mechanisms.

03 MAR 2023 Insight paper

House of Lords reform: navigating the obstacles

The House of Lords is being undermined by uncontrolled prime ministerial appointments, the chamber’s growing size, and membership of hereditary peers

09 FEB 2023 Insight paper

Britain’s political parties and the constitution

Political parties are the “ghosts in the machine” of the UK constitution and more attention should be paid to their role in reforming how it operates.

19 DEC 2022 Insight paper