The Constitution Unit

Constitution Unit Conference 2026: The Representation of the People Bill

Episode Summary

Will the Representation of the People Bill be sufficient to deliver fair, safe, and secure elections? If not, what more needs to be done? And does safeguarding our elections require changes of culture and behaviour, as well as new legislation?

Episode Notes

Parliament is currently considering the Representation of the People Bill. As well as lowering the voting age for UK elections to 16, this legislation contains a host of changes in other areas, including voter registration, voter ID, political finance, and the role of the Electoral Commission. Will these changes be sufficient to deliver fair, safe, and secure elections? If not, what more needs to be done? And does safeguarding our elections require changes of culture and behaviour, as well as new legislation? 

Speakers:

• Phoebe Arnold – Policy Lead at Full Fact
• John Pullinger – Chair of the Electoral Commission
• Philip Rycroft – former senior civil servant, and author of the 2026 review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics

Chair: Professor Alan Renwick – Director of the Constitution Unit