Labour and the constitution: (almost) one year on 

The Structure Unit’s annual convention takes place subsequent week, bringing collectively a variety of audio system to debate ‘Labour’s Constitutional Agenda in Workplace’. Beginning with a keynote tackle by Minister for the Cupboard Workplace Nick Thomas-Symonds, the convention will assess Labour’s efficiency thus far, and its choices for the longer term, throughout a variety of constitutional coverage areas. Forward of the convention, Lisa James analyses the progress thus far towards the commitments in Labour’s manifesto. 

The Labour authorities got here to energy final July, promising change in varied areas of constitutional coverage. Virtually one 12 months right into a doable five-year time period, the Structure Unit’s annual convention (18–19 June) will look at the progress that has been made and ask what we’d count on within the years forward. 

This blogpost units the scene, rounding up Labour’s progress thus far towards its manifesto pledges. 

Parliament 

The manifesto’s key dedication regarding the Home of Commons was the creation of a brand new Modernisation Committee – named after the predecessor which launched varied Commons reforms below the final Labour authorities. The brand new committee was established in standing orders in July 2024, with a short to ‘take into account reforms to Home of Commons procedures, requirements, and dealing practices; and to make suggestions thereon’. It consulted on its agenda in late 2024 and printed a memorandum on its possible subsequent steps, which named accessibility, ‘efficient’ use of Commons time, and ‘creating extra certainty in regards to the timing and nature of Commons enterprise’ as its overarching priorities.  

Additionally promised had been new restrictions on outdoors employment for MPs. A change to standing orders in July 2024 eliminated an present loophole that allowed MPs to offer paid recommendation on the workings of parliament, or on ‘public coverage and present affairs’; it didn’t tackle different areas of potential controversy reminiscent of paid media presenting roles. Extra change is prone to comply with; the Requirements Committee is at present conducting an inquiry into MPs’ outdoors pursuits and employment, on the Modernisation Committee’s request.  

In relation to the Home of Lords, the manifesto pledged a lot of modifications, in an implicit two-stage course of. Reforms for this parliament included the removing of the remaining hereditary friends, tighter participation necessities, a compulsory retirement age, and reforms to the appointments course of. Additionally promised was some type of public session on choices for an alternate second chamber, to put the bottom for extra complete second-stage reform in a future parliament. A invoice to take away the hereditary friends goes via parliament, and is at present awaiting its report stage within the Home of Lords. The invoice doesn’t tackle any of Labour’s different pledges – which now seem to depend on a second stage of reforms on this parliament (although the federal government has made a small nod towards its pledge on tightening up appointments, by requiring publication of citations for brand spanking new political appointees to the Lords). 

Rule of regulation and public inquiries 

The important thing manifesto pledge regarding the rule of regulation was a promise to maintain the UK within the European Conference on Human Rights. Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood and Legal professional Basic Richard Hermer each reiterated the federal government’s dedication to worldwide regulation and human rights of their swearing-in speeches. Hermer has gone on to make a number of speeches on the significance of upholding the rule of regulation, generally frightening backlash. 

Additionally promised within the manifesto was a Hillsborough Legislation, introducing an obligation of candour for public servants and public our bodies. The laws was promised in time for the thirty sixth anniversary of the Hillsborough Catastrophe on 15 April – however the date got here and went with out a invoice showing. Chief of the Home of Commons Lucy Powell advised MPs that the invoice could be printed when prepared, however little is thought about its possible timetable. 

Ministerial requirements 

The centrepiece of Labour’s manifesto providing on requirements was the creation of a brand new Ethics and Integrity Fee. Particulars in regards to the proposed new physique had been left obscure, and nonetheless at the moment little is thought. The physique’s position stays undefined, as does its relationship to the varied present requirements regulators, and the Committee on Requirements in Public Life.  

The manifesto additionally promised to strengthen the oversight of post-government employment, and to offer for stronger enforcement. That is prone to entail giving new powers to the Advisory Committee on Enterprise Appointments – however, maybe as a consequence of the persevering with uncertainty in regards to the position of the Ethics and Integrity Fee, no such new powers have but been introduced. The brand new Ministerial Code did, nevertheless, fulfil one pledge: to provide the Impartial Adviser on Ministerial Requirements the facility to open their very own investigations. 

The federal government has additionally fulfilled two manifesto pledges prompted by previous requirements scandals. The Finances Duty Act was one of many first items of laws launched after the election, receiving its first studying in July 2024, and gaining royal assent in September. The laws requires the federal government to hunt an Workplace of Finances Duty (OBR) forecast prematurely of any ‘fiscally vital’ announcement – in a transparent reference to then Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s choice to not request an OBR forecast earlier than the disastrous 2022 ‘mini-budget’. Although it fulfils the manifesto pledge, specialists identified that the Act represents a comparatively modest change to the OBR’s position, and is perhaps seen as ‘largely performative’. A pledge to nominate a Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner was fulfilled in December, with the appointment of Tom Hayhoe, who is because of ship a report back to parliament on the finish of his one-year time period. 

Elections 

The manifesto pledged some vital modifications to elections coverage – notably, the introduction of votes at 16 for all elections. Additionally promised had been enhancements to voter registration, the introduction of stronger guidelines round donations to political events, and an replace to the voter ID guidelines to permit further types of ID for use.  

A small transfer was made on the final of those pledges in October 2024, when rules had been launched making the Armed Forces Veterans Card an accepted type of ID. Ministers have mentioned they’ll set out plans in relation to Labour’s different electoral coverage proposals earlier than the summer time. 

Devolution in England 

Devolution inside England is probably the world the place probably the most substantial constitutional coverage bulletins have been made. The manifesto pledged to introduce a brand new requirement for native authorities to ‘come collectively’ to tackle better obligations, in addition to deeper devolution settlements for present mixed authorities, and revisions to governance preparations. 

The King’s speech in July 2024 pledged an English Devolution Invoice, to take ahead these proposals throughout this parliamentary session. The background briefing for the speech promised that the invoice would come with better devolution of powers regarding ‘strategic planning, native transport networks, expertise, and employment help’ – in addition to duties to provide Native Development Plans (one other manifesto dedication). Additionally talked about within the King’s speech was a Higher Buses Invoice, which delivers on an additional manifesto promise of transport devolution. 

The federal government supplied extra element on its deliberate strategy in an English Devolution White Paper, printed in December. This additionally laid out the federal government’s course of for encouraging native authorities to mix, and gave some additional element on the pledged governance reforms – amongst different issues, empowering mayors to nominate ‘commissioners’ to help the supply of outlined portfolios. In February 2025, councils in two-tier areas (i.e. these with each county and district councils), and a few small neighbouring unitary councils, had been requested to develop draft plans for combining to type unitary native authorities buildings. Jim McMahon, the Minister for Native Authorities and English Devolution, advised the Home of Commons {that a} choice could be taken on which proposals to implement, with laws following at a later date.  

Scotland, Wales and Northern Eire 

It’s too early to inform how far the federal government has been in a position to ship on its key manifesto pledge to ‘reset’ the connection between Whitehall and the devolved nations. Nonetheless, some extra concrete pledges could be measured. The brand new Council of the Nations and Areas – which brings collectively the UK authorities with the heads of devolved authorities, and English mayors, was established final 12 months. It has thus far met twice, in October and Might. 

Varied different pledges have but to be delivered. These embrace the publication of a brand new Memorandum of Understanding on the operation of the Sewel Conference, and increasing ‘free speech protections’ to the devolved legislatures (which at present take pleasure in a extra restricted type of parliamentary privilege than operates at Westminster). The manifesto additionally pledged to ‘restore decision-making over the allocation of structural funds’ to Scotland, Wales and Northern Eire – a dedication reiterated in March 2025, with the implication that decision-making might be devolved in spring 2026 when the Shared Prosperity Fund (successor to EU structural funds) is changed by a brand new funding framework. The manifesto additionally dedicated the federal government to discover the devolution of probation, youth justice and employment help funding to Wales; no bulletins have but been made about this. 

The manifesto made a number of pledges relating particularly to Northern Eire. These included commitments to help political stability, and to implement the Windsor Framework in good religion – promising that there could be no extra UK makes an attempt to unilaterally override the UK–EU settlement on the post-Brexit settlement for Northern Eire. The manifesto additionally pledged to repeal and substitute the controversial Northern Eire Legacy Act. This was reiterated within the King’s speech: the explanatory notes steered repeal or modification of some key provisions on this session, with additional laws to return later. In December 2024, Northern Eire Secretary Hilary Benn introduced that he had laid a ‘remedial order’ to repeal some features of the Act, with additional laws to comply with after session. One other dedication was to ‘take ahead discussions’ on a fiscal framework for Northern Eire; in November 2024, the federal government indicated that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Northern Eire’s Minister of Finance had agreed to start talks. 

Europe 

The Labour manifesto pledged to maintain Britain outdoors the EU, and dominated out rejoining the only market or customs union, or introducing freedom of motion. Nonetheless, it did articulate ambitions for a better relationship, suggesting priorities of a stronger commerce and funding relationship, a brand new veterinary settlement to scale back border checks, simpler visa preparations for touring artists, and mutual recognition {of professional} {qualifications}. A cope with the EU was unveiled in Might 2025, extending or deepening the UK’s relationship with the EU in varied areas. These embrace an settlement to barter the removing of most border checks on animal and plant shipments – in keeping with the manifesto pledge – in addition to the extension of present fishing preparations, a proper defence and safety pact, and a youth mobility scheme (with the small print but to be established). 

Conclusion 

It’s unsurprising that, after only a 12 months in workplace, the federal government has not but fulfilled all of its constitutional coverage pledges. However a survey of progress thus far reveals that the extent of change has been pretty restricted. Maybe the best progress has been made with reforms to governance inside England. In contrast, progress thus far on pledges regarding Scotland, Wales and Northern Eire has thus far been solely very preliminary. 

There has additionally been comparatively little achieved in relation to the UK’s central establishments. The federal government has acted on its core proposals regarding parliament, with the institution of the Modernisation Committee and progress of the Home of Lords (Hereditary Friends) Invoice. Nevertheless it stays to be seen whether or not the promised broader programme of Lords reform will materialise on this parliament, or how formidable the Modernisation Committee might be. The Hillsborough Legislation, and additional particulars on Labour’s plans for election coverage, are awaited, with elections coverage at the least prone to be introduced earlier than the summer time. Little has thus far been performed on ministerial requirements. 

Progress has been made throughout the brand new authorities’s first 12 months in workplace. However there stays a lot left to do within the remaining years of this parliament. 

The Structure Unit’s 2025 convention, on ‘Labour’s Constitutional Agenda in Workplace’, takes place on 18 & 19 June. Join through our web site.

Concerning the creator

Lisa James is a Senior Analysis Fellow on the Structure Unit. She might be chairing the Requirements in Public Life panel at our annual convention, at 1pm on 18 June. The panel will embrace contributions from former Conservative Legal professional Basic Jeremy Wright, Labour MP Phil Brickell, and Professor Gillian Peele, a member of the Committee on Requirements in Public Life.