Gyula Péter [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Key findings of the report include:

• A Positive ‘Referendum Effect’ Fails to Materialise. There has been no positive ‘referendum effect’ on public attitudes after the June 2016 EU vote, of the kind witnessed after the Scottish independence referendum in 2014. Claimed interest in (53%) and knowledge (49%) of politics have declined (by four and six percentage points respectively) compared to last year. Satisfaction with the system of governing Britain has barely changed and remains low at 31%.
• Changes in Political Behaviour? Although the public’s attitudes are proving hard to shift, there are some positive signs of change in political behaviour. After the high turnout in the EU referendum, people’s certainty to vote remains at a high watermark. There are also signs of some improvements in public engagement with Parliament. Just over half the public say they have engaged with Parliament in some way in the previous 12 months – a 10-point increase on last year.
• Perceptions of Parliament. The public clearly value Parliament, with a substantial majority (73%) believing it is essential to democracy. However, overall satisfaction with the way Parliament works (30%) is now six points lower than when the first Audit was published in 2004. Claimed knowledge of Parliament has declined by seven points from last year to 45%, but remains higher than at the same stage of the political cycle after the 2005 and 2010 elections. In relation to its core functions, the public think Parliament could do a better job of scrutinising the use of public money, representing ordinary people’s interests, and encouraging public involvement in politics.
• The EU Referendum Support for more referendums has declined by 15 points. But a clear majority of British people (61%) still think referendums should be used more often for determining important questions. Eighty-eight percent of UKIP supporters support the use of more referendums compared to just 42% of Lib Dems who say the same, while the views of Labour and Conservative supporters are broadly identical (59%).  On top of this, just 43% claim to feel knowledgeable about the EU, a rise of just five points since last year’s study.

To read the report in full click here. To find out more about The Hansard Society, their work and publications visit www.hansardsociety.org.uk

Taken from the Parliament Website

Wednesday 3 May 2017 – Dissolution of Parliament

A proclamation will be made announcing when Parliament will meet after the general election and setting the date of the Queen’s Speech at State Opening.

Writs will be issued for elections in the UK’s 650 constituencies.

• Find out more about dissolution

Thursday 11 May 2017 – Deadline for the delivery of nomination papers

Deadline for candidates to deliver nomination papers to Returning Officer (4pm) and deadline for candidates to withdraw (4pm).

•  Find out more about standing in an election

Monday 22 May 2017 – Voter registration deadline

This is the cut-off date for UK citizens aged 18 or over to register to vote in the general election.

It also marks the deadline for voters to apply for a postal or a proxy vote.

Candidates’ nomination papers must be delivered to the local returning officer. Any candidate wishing to withdraw must do so on this date.

Election agents, who ensure the proper management of each candidate’s campaign, must also be appointed.

• Find out more about registering to vote

Tuesday 23 May 2017 – Deadline for postal vote applications

5pm on this day marks the deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes.

• Find out more about the different ways to vote

Wednesday 31 May 2017 – Deadline for proxy vote applications

Deadline for applying for a proxy vote (except for emergency proxies) at 5pm.

Election day and results

Thursday 8 June 2017 – Polling day

Polling booths will be open between 7am and 10pm. Counting of votes will begin when the polls close.

The Return of Parliament

Tuesday 13 June 2017 – Parliament is expected to return for the election of the Speaker

Election of the Speaker of the House of Commons

The Speaker is elected on the first day that the House meets after the General Election.

• Find out more about the election of the Commons Speaker

Swearing in of MPs will take place on subsequent days

When Parliament returns, MPs start swearing the Oath of Allegiance or making an Affirmation in the Commons.

Members of the House of Lords start swearing the Oath of Allegiance or making an Affirmation in the Lords.

• Find out more about the Oath of Allegiance and the solid affirmation

State Opening of Parliament

Monday 19 June 2017 – The Queen’s Speech 2017

The Queen’s Speech is delivered at the State Opening of the new Parliament.

Please note that links to the old Parliamentary intranet have been removed as of October 2023. Please use search on ParliNet to find relevant current details, if available.

https://parlinet.parliament.uk/house-of-commons-members-staff/

So, dissolution is upon us.  Have you done everything you needed to?  There is a very helpful checklist on the intranet, which we suggest you consult, just to make sure:

Checklist of actions for Members who are standing at the 2017 General Election

Checklist of actions for Members standing down at the 2017 General Election

Please note that links to the old Parliamentary intranet have been removed as of October 2023. Please use search on ParliNet to find relevant current details, if available.

https://parlinet.parliament.uk/house-of-commons-members-staff/

Hopefully, all Members’ offices will now have prepared everything they need for dissolution. Please have a look at the guidance on the intranet to make sure you’re up to date:

Dissolution Homepage

The Prime Minister has announced her intention to seek approval under the Fixed-Term Parliament Act to ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament in advance of a General Election on June 8.

If this proceeds as proposed then w4mp will continue to operate as usual, and we will post information to assist with dissolution matters.

See this piece from The Guardian for background.

UpRising is now recruiting for Fastlaners – a free employability programme for young people aged 18-25! Co-founded by Rushanara Ali MP, UpRising is a UK-wide youth leadership development organisation which aims to open pathways to power for talented young people from diverse and under-represented backgrounds. Fastlaners is one of their projects; an 8 day interactive employment programme in Birmingham, Manchester and London designed to enable participants to identify career goals and develop the skills, networks, knowledge and confidence to secure fulfilling employment.

We’ve been given the following information about the programme:

Over eight days participants build their employability skills through a series of interactive workshops, mock interviews, mentoring sessions and networking events. Sessions range from 1-2-1 CVs, interview clinics, identifying paths to success and goal setting, understanding workplace culture, mock interviews and assessment centres and roundtable discussions and panels with professional employers.

Participants meet a range of speakers and businesses, who are invited to deliver sessions including senior figures from the public, private, charity and political sectors. Following the eight days of training participants receive three – six months of ongoing, one to one support to identify and apply for potential opportunities, prepare for interviews and then ensure the first few months at work go smoothly. They also have the opportunity to be matched with a young professional mentor from a career area of their choice to discuss aspirations and can draw upon their knowledge and experience of looking for and excelling at work.

Through our networks, we specialise in supporting young people to find careers in the public, political and charity sectors. Participating in Fastlaners can also lead into UpRising’s Leadership Programme and Environmental Leadership Programme. Through this programme we equip young people with the knowledge, networks, skills and confidence to reach their leadership potential and take social action on issues they care about. This programme offers participants a unique first-hand view of the way political, business, public sector and community organisations work together to shape our communities and the environment. Each participant is individually matched with a coach and a mentor who supports them on a one to one basis throughout their time on the programme. All participants work with other UpRisers to design and deliver a social action campaign on a local issue they are passionate about. As well as forming networks with senior figures, participants also build strong networks amongst their peers on the programme.

So if you are unemployed, aged between 18 and 25 years old, live in Birmingham, London or Manchester and are committed to finding your dream career in the public, private or charity sector, then Fastlaners is the programme for you. To apply, visit www.uprising.org.uk/apply. In the “How did you hear about us”, please select “Other” and state “W4MP”.

This is a free programme and UpRising will contribute to participant travel expenses.

Contact Details:

For further information, please contact:

Emma Henly – emma.henly@uprising.org.uk or 07943 632 046.

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Young Disabled People are holding a meeting on Wed 19th April at 14:30 in the Attlee Suite.

Guest speakers at this meeting will include:

• Susan Louwerse, Head of Guest Services at intu, who run over a dozen shopping centres across the UK
• Chris Fry, solicitor at Unity Law, who represents disabled people who have experience discrimination
• Mei-Yee Man Oram, co-lead of the Accessible Environments Team at Arup, an independent company providing services on the built environment
• Joanne Connah, Development Officer at Changing Places/Mencap, who campaign for accessible toilets for disabled people

For further information and queries please contact heidi.allen.mp@parliament.uk