History & Policy

Professor Kevin Theakston, Professor of British Government at the University of Leeds, and co-author of William Armstrong and British Policy Making (Palgrave Macmillan 2018). Armstrong was the inaugural head of the Civil Service Department, the establishment of which Fulton recommended, and was charged with implementing the Report. Reforming the Civil Service: the Fulton Report, 50 years on 9 June 2018 - 18:00 pm - 19:30 pm Room 2.03, Bush House (South Wing), King's College London, Strand WC2R 1ES The Report of the Committee on the Civil Service, commissioned by the Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson and chaired by Lord Fulton, appeared in June 1968. It was critical of the underlying philosophy of Whitehall, suggesting that the Civil Service operated as a “cult” of the generalist or amateur, that it lacked skilled managers, and overlooked scientists, engineers and other specialists for promotion. It made important recommendations for changes in the structure and practices of the Civil Service, some of whi

Richard Wilson, Baron Wilson of Dinton is a crossbench peer and former Head of the Civil Service. His 36-year career there began in 1966 (the year the Fulton Committee began its deliberations) at the Board of Trade, and has included service in the Department of Energy, the Cabinet Office, the Department of the Environment and the Home Office before becoming Head of the Civil Service in 1998, a position he retired from in 2002. Reforming the Civil Service: the Fulton Report, 50 years on 9 June 2018 - 18:00 pm - 19:30 pm Room 2.03, Bush House (South Wing), King's College London, Strand WC2R 1ES The Report of the Committee on the Civil Service, commissioned by the Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson and chaired by Lord Fulton, appeared in June 1968. It was critical of the underlying philosophy of Whitehall, suggesting that the Civil Service operated as a “cult” of the generalist or amateur, that it lacked skilled managers, and overlooked scientists, engineers and other specialists for promotion. It made impor

20 June 2018 - 18:00 pm - 20:00 pm Room K-1.56, King's College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS In spite of Equal Pay Laws and House of Commons Resolutions, there is still a gender pay gap in Britain - and hear an analysis of the recently gathered gender pay reports of large companies from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. History and Policy’s Trade Union and Employment Forum is holding a seminar at King's College London featuring: Helen Glew, Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Westminster, who will explain the history of Equal Pay in Britain, and Sue Coe, Employment Head at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, who will analyse the results from the gender pay reports from organisations with over 250 employees.

Sir Richard Mottram 22 May 2018 - 18:15 pm - 19:45 pm Council Room, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS In 1988 the official report Improving Efficiency in Government: The Next Steps appeared in its final form. It led on to one of the most substantial reconfigurations the UK machinery of government has seen, with the allocation of a wide range of functions to executive agencies. Kate Jenkins, former head of the government's Efficiency Unit and co-author of the report, will provide her perspective on the exercise and its significance, followed with a response by Sir Richard Mottram, whose forty-year career in the Civil Service included a spell in the early 1990s as Permanent Secretary at the Office of Public Service and Science within the Cabinet Office, where his responsibilities included public service change and management. Joining the discussion from an academic perspective will be Dr Andrew Blick (King's College London). Dr Catherine Haddon (Institute for Government) will chair.

Kate Jenkins 22 May 2018 - 18:15 pm - 19:45 pm Council Room, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS In 1988 the official report Improving Efficiency in Government: The Next Steps appeared in its final form. It led on to one of the most substantial reconfigurations the UK machinery of government has seen, with the allocation of a wide range of functions to executive agencies. Kate Jenkins, former head of the government's Efficiency Unit and co-author of the report, will provide her perspective on the exercise and its significance, followed with a response by Sir Richard Mottram, whose forty-year career in the Civil Service included a spell in the early 1990s as Permanent Secretary at the Office of Public Service and Science within the Cabinet Office, where his responsibilities included public service change and management. Joining the discussion from an academic perspective will be Dr Andrew Blick (King's College London). Dr Catherine Haddon (Institute for Government) will chair.

Alex Loktionov of Robinson College, Cambridge. 22 February 2018 - 16:00 pm - 18:00 pm Room 1.03, Bush House (North East Wing), 30 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BG How can the past - even the ancient past - help democracy advocates understand the societies they are working in? Mariam Memarsadeghi, Iranian-American human rights and democracy advocate and co-founder of Tavaana: E-learning Institute for Iranian Civil Society, will talk about the contemporary position in Iran and the work of her organisation in promoting democracy there. Alex Loktionov of Robinson College, Cambridge will discuss the ancient history of Egypt and the lessons that might be derived for contemporary democracy promotion. Dr Andrew Blick, Senior Lecturer in Politics and Contemporary History, DPE, and Director of History & Policy was the chair.

Mariam Memarsadeghi - Tavaana: E-learning Institute for Iranian Civil Society 22 February 2018 - 16:00 pm - 18:00 pm Room 1.03, Bush House (North East Wing), 30 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BG How can the past - even the ancient past - help democracy advocates understand the societies they are working in? Mariam Memarsadeghi, Iranian-American human rights and democracy advocate and co-founder of Tavaana: E-learning Institute for Iranian Civil Society, will talk about the contemporary position in Iran and the work of her organisation in promoting democracy there. Alex Loktionov of Robinson College, Cambridge will discuss the ancient history of Egypt and the lessons that might be derived for contemporary democracy promotion. Dr Andrew Blick, Senior Lecturer in Politics and Contemporary History, DPE, and Director of History & Policy was the chair.

Carole Spary - University of Nottingham 9 February 2018 - 10:15 am - 14:45 pm Palace of Westminster, London SW1A 2PW How can global and historical movements for women’s political rights provide models for achieving racial and gender equality in the British political arena? On the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, this one-day workshop will explore the ways in which past and contemporary movements, especially featuring women of colour and women in the global south, can be applied to current issues regarding voting and parliamentary representation. The session will include papers delivered by a number of historians and social scientists, whose discussions will draw upon examples that include Australia, Brazil, the Caribbean, India, and South Africa. Sam Smethers (Chief Executive, Fawcett Society) and Frances Scott (Founder, 50:50 Parliament) will also provide discussion on current policy and campaigning practices. Through collaborative discussion between academics, policy-makers and pol

Sam Smethers - Fawcett Society 9 February 2018 - 10:15 am - 14:45 pm Palace of Westminster, London SW1A 2PW How can global and historical movements for women’s political rights provide models for achieving racial and gender equality in the British political arena? On the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, this one-day workshop will explore the ways in which past and contemporary movements, especially featuring women of colour and women in the global south, can be applied to current issues regarding voting and parliamentary representation. The session will include papers delivered by a number of historians and social scientists, whose discussions will draw upon examples that include Australia, Brazil, the Caribbean, India, and South Africa. Sam Smethers (Chief Executive, Fawcett Society) and Frances Scott (Founder, 50:50 Parliament) will also provide discussion on current policy and campaigning practices. Through collaborative discussion between academics, policy-makers and political ac

Frances Scott - 50:50 Parliament 9 February 2018 - 10:15 am - 14:45 pm Palace of Westminster, London SW1A 2PW How can global and historical movements for women’s political rights provide models for achieving racial and gender equality in the British political arena? On the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, this one-day workshop will explore the ways in which past and contemporary movements, especially featuring women of colour and women in the global south, can be applied to current issues regarding voting and parliamentary representation. The session will include papers delivered by a number of historians and social scientists, whose discussions will draw upon examples that include Australia, Brazil, the Caribbean, India, and South Africa. Sam Smethers (Chief Executive, Fawcett Society) and Frances Scott (Founder, 50:50 Parliament) will also provide discussion on current policy and campaigning practices. Through collaborative discussion between academics, policy-makers and political

Jad Adams - University of London 9 February 2018 - 10:15 am - 14:45 pm Palace of Westminster, London SW1A 2PW How can global and historical movements for women’s political rights provide models for achieving racial and gender equality in the British political arena? On the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, this one-day workshop will explore the ways in which past and contemporary movements, especially featuring women of colour and women in the global south, can be applied to current issues regarding voting and parliamentary representation. The session will include papers delivered by a number of historians and social scientists, whose discussions will draw upon examples that include Australia, Brazil, the Caribbean, India, and South Africa. Sam Smethers (Chief Executive, Fawcett Society) and Frances Scott (Founder, 50:50 Parliament) will also provide discussion on current policy and campaigning practices. Through collaborative discussion between academics, policy-makers and political

Cassia Roth - University of Edinburgh 9 February 2018 - 10:15 am - 14:45 pm Palace of Westminster, London SW1A 2PW How can global and historical movements for women’s political rights provide models for achieving racial and gender equality in the British political arena? On the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, this one-day workshop will explore the ways in which past and contemporary movements, especially featuring women of colour and women in the global south, can be applied to current issues regarding voting and parliamentary representation. The session will include papers delivered by a number of historians and social scientists, whose discussions will draw upon examples that include Australia, Brazil, the Caribbean, India, and South Africa. Sam Smethers (Chief Executive, Fawcett Society) and Frances Scott (Founder, 50:50 Parliament) will also provide discussion on current policy and campaigning practices. Through collaborative discussion between academics, policy-makers and polit

Sumita Mukherjee - University of Bristol 9 February 2018 - 10:15 am - 14:45 pm Palace of Westminster, London SW1A 2PW How can global and historical movements for women’s political rights provide models for achieving racial and gender equality in the British political arena? On the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, this one-day workshop will explore the ways in which past and contemporary movements, especially featuring women of colour and women in the global south, can be applied to current issues regarding voting and parliamentary representation. The session will include papers delivered by a number of historians and social scientists, whose discussions will draw upon examples that include Australia, Brazil, the Caribbean, India, and South Africa. Sam Smethers (Chief Executive, Fawcett Society) and Frances Scott (Founder, 50:50 Parliament) will also provide discussion on current policy and campaigning practices. Through collaborative discussion between academics, policy-makers and po

Sarah Veale, Manifesto for a comprehensive revision of workers' rights The future of UK labour law 24 June 2017 - 11:00 am - 15:00 pm Room S3.30, Strand Building, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS After a century of self-regulation and light legal control of industrial relations, Britain swung to a much tighter state-regulated system from the early 1980s. These laws were most one-sided and restrictive of trade unions and their activities, both during disputes and in terms of their internal governance. They remained so despite three terms of Labour government from the late 1990s (though significant improvement of employee rights occurred then). They were overlaid by more progressive EU Directives in the 2000s, especially as regards employee equality rights. With the triggering of Britain's departure from the EU, it is surely time to revisit this entire framework of law. The TUF is therefore initiating a 'root and branch' examination of the origins of British Labour law from the repeal of the

Professor Richard Whiting, The Thatcher reforms of the 1980s The future of UK labour law 24 June 2017 - 11:00 am - 15:00 pm Room S3.30, Strand Building, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS After a century of self-regulation and light legal control of industrial relations, Britain swung to a much tighter state-regulated system from the early 1980s. These laws were most one-sided and restrictive of trade unions and their activities, both during disputes and in terms of their internal governance. They remained so despite three terms of Labour government from the late 1990s (though significant improvement of employee rights occurred then). They were overlaid by more progressive EU Directives in the 2000s, especially as regards employee equality rights. With the triggering of Britain's departure from the EU, it is surely time to revisit this entire framework of law. The TUF is therefore initiating a 'root and branch' examination of the origins of British Labour law from the repeal of the Combinatio

Dr Adrian Williamson, The Age of Voluntarism? Trade Union law and practice 1914-1979 The future of UK labour law 24 June 2017 - 11:00 am - 15:00 pm Room S3.30, Strand Building, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS After a century of self-regulation and light legal control of industrial relations, Britain swung to a much tighter state-regulated system from the early 1980s. These laws were most one-sided and restrictive of trade unions and their activities, both during disputes and in terms of their internal governance. They remained so despite three terms of Labour government from the late 1990s (though significant improvement of employee rights occurred then). They were overlaid by more progressive EU Directives in the 2000s, especially as regards employee equality rights. With the triggering of Britain's departure from the EU, it is surely time to revisit this entire framework of law. The TUF is therefore initiating a 'root and branch' examination of the origins of British Labour law from the

Dr Jim Moher, From Repression to the 'Great Charter of Union Rights' - the Combination Laws to the Trade Disputes Act 1906 The future of UK labour law 24 June 2017 - 11:00 am - 15:00 pm Room S3.30, Strand Building, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS After a century of self-regulation and light legal control of industrial relations, Britain swung to a much tighter state-regulated system from the early 1980s. These laws were most one-sided and restrictive of trade unions and their activities, both during disputes and in terms of their internal governance. They remained so despite three terms of Labour government from the late 1990s (though significant improvement of employee rights occurred then). They were overlaid by more progressive EU Directives in the 2000s, especially as regards employee equality rights. With the triggering of Britain's departure from the EU, it is surely time to revisit this entire framework of law. The TUF is therefore initiating a 'root and branch' examination of the o

Sir Thomas Legg’s career at the Lord Chancellor’s Department spanned nearly 40 years and between 1989 and his retirement in 1998 he held the posts of Permanent Secretary and Clerk of the Crown in Chancery. Since retirement he has also chaired several government inquiries including the investigation into the parliamentary expenses scandal in 2009-10. During this period there were many important developments in the UK legal system and its role within the UK constitution, including the incorporation of European law and the rise of judicial review of government action. Sir Thomas will reflect on his unique experiences and their implications for the crucial issue of the relationship between government and the rule of law. May 2017 - 18:00 pm - 19:30 pm Nash Lecture Theatre, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS

Nearly one million workers in the UK are on zero-hour contracts. A further five million are nominally self-employed. In modern Britain, flexibility is often presented as a way of reconciling pressures between work and family life. Sally Brett, Head of Equality, Inclusion and Culture at the British Medical Association, will pose the question: what kind of flexibility do workers want and need? The ability to vary working hours from the standard, full-time pattern or to secure time off for family reasons is important to working parents and carers, particularly women, who are still the primary care-givers in most families. But it’s not just flexibility that matters. Control over working hours, adequate notice of working hours and predictability and certainty in working hours are important too. Employers who respect employees’ life and responsibilities outside of work are likely to benefit from higher engagement, lower sickness absence and lower turnover.

Nearly one million workers in the UK are on zero-hour contracts. A further five million are nominally self-employed. In modern Britain, flexibility is often presented as a way of reconciling pressures between work and family life. Professor Noel Whiteside, Professor of Comparative Public Policy at the University of Warwick, will approach the subject from the historical perspective. What is now "flexibility" was once "casual labour", and social enquiry revealed the consequences of casual labour over a hundred years ago. The nineteenth century founding fathers of social statistics (Charles Booth, Seehbohm Rowntree, A.L. Bowley among others) argued that, to safeguard Britain’s commercial and imperial pre-eminence, casual employment must be abolished. Theresa May has recently set up a twenty-first century equivalent in the Taylor Review. It is likely to reach similar conclusions. She asks why the social reforms of the early twentieth century designed to tackle the problems of casual labour ultimately failed, an