Constitution Unit Conference 2026: How should political parties choose their leaders?

Uncertainty over Keir Starmer’s future has revived interest in the question – familiar from previous Conservative governments – of how political parties should select and remove their leaders. This raises various important issues, including the process by which MPs can remove incumbent leaders, the respective roles of MPs and party members in choosing a replacement, and – in an era of greater devolution – whether politicians beyond Westminster should be able to throw their hat into the ring. This panel will therefore ask: are UK political parties’ leadership selection rules fit for purpose?

Speakers:

• Lord (Graham) Brady of Altrincham – Conservative peer and former Chair of the Conservative Party’s 1922 Committee
• Sienna Rodgers – Deputy Editor of The House magazine and former editor of LabourList
• Dr Robert Saunders – Reader in Modern British History at Queen Mary University of London

Chair: Professor Meg Russell – Director of the Constitution Unit to May 2026

Links:

Website: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit

Mailing list: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit/get-involved/mailing-list

Blog: constitution-unit.com