FROM THE CHAIR

Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning British monarch in history, and is now celebrating her Platinum Jubilee after 70 inspirational years on the throne. This week’s House magazine is proud to pay tribute to this most exemplary of public servants, with words from the Speakers of both Houses, a feature from Daniel Brittain looking at the fascinating history of our State Opening of Parliament, and more.

Given the special occasion, it is no better a time for us to look at a subject that rouses huge passion in Westminster – the constitution. It is a knotty tangle – a largely uncodified web of laws and conventions – and some fear it is not fit for purpose in the modern age. We hear from parliamentary experts Hannah White and Lord Norton on whether it is providing sufficient scrutiny of our executive, while Sienna Rodgers asks whether the Upper Chamber has become the true opposition to government.

Elsewhere, Chaminda Jayanetti looks at whether Northern Ireland’s gridlocked politics can be unstuck, while Mark Rowe analyses the role of the Civil Service. Our lead interview is with Leader of the Commons Mark Spencer, who in a punchy talk with reporter Noa Hoffman promises that British politics will see a better class of candidate in the wake of recent sexism and sleaze scandals.

We also keep up to date with the Ukraine situation – talking refugees with both Lord Harrington, and three parliamentarians who’ve been kind enough to open their homes to those fleeing conflict. All this and more in your House magazine.