Meg Russell IC Referendums says that referendums should not be seen as quick fix solutions to immediate political problems. It is unfair to throw difficult questions at the public, simply because politicians don’t know how to resolve them. Watch live goo.gl/c9DERT

Meg and Alan say that the Commission does not support referendums on moral issues as they can be damaging for those whose rights are at stake. Moral issues are dealt with free votes in the UK but citizens’ assemblies can also facilitate public input on these issues.

.PACAC Committee asks how we could organise citizens’ assemblies. Alan Renwick talks about Citizens' Assembly and how they were run. They should not replace existing mechanisms of decision making but can provide an insight into informed public opinion.

Meg Russell points out that if there is a void left about would happen in the event of a vote for change, parliamentarians have to fill that void. And that puts them in a very difficult position.

.PACAC Committee asks what recommendations IC Referendums has made to improve regulation of online campaigning. Alan Renwick says we need - imprints on online material - a repository of online ads to end ‘dark ads’ - a inquiry into paid political advertising across all media.

Meg Russell IC Referendums says citizen's assemblies, or longer process of deliberation among the public, must be considered before holding referendums. She says pre-legislative referendums are undesirable and referendums should be post-legislative. Live goo.gl/c9DERT

.Alan Renwick tells PACAC Committee that legislative changes that the IC Referendums. Rt Hon Dame Cheryl Gillan MP says that current legislation is not fit for purpose.

Interesting blog by Jack Sheldon on the lessons of 1979 referendums for a possible further referendum on Brexit. It highlights the work of IC Referendums and the need for careful thought on the rules for future referendums. #referendumreform bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/brexit-pe…

NEWS: Meg Russell and Alan Renwick give evidence to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the Independent Commission on Referendums final report. Read a summary here: ucl.ac.uk/constitution-u…

We welcome Culture, Media and Sport Committee 's report & recommendations that concur with our own: - Imprints for online campaign material - Faster spending returns for large orgs - Categories for digital campaigning in spending returns - public register of political adverts publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cm…

This piece by @RSAMatthew draws heavily on the on the conclusions of the Independent Commission on Referendums, which he concludes 'has some well thought through proposals on regulation' thersa.org/discover/publi…

NEW BLOG: Making referendums fit for a parliamentary democracy: Lords debate responds to recommendations of the IC Referendums. Jess Sargeant and Basma Yaghi offer a summary of a recent House of Lords debate on the role of referendums. constitution-unit.com/2018/08/02/mak…

Listen to the Commission's Research Director, Alan Renwick talk referendums on Westminster Hour last night. bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b… (from 51.28)

The IC Referendums is calling for an inquiry into the regulation of political advertising across all media, and for a searchable database of online political advertising to increase transparency and accountability of campaigns bit.ly/2KAeTZa #ReferendumReform

.Martin Kettle mentions the work of IC Referendums in his latest column. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

On 10 July IC Referendums launched its final report; just a week later the pertinent topic of the role of referendums in parliamentary democracy was debated in the House of Lords. constitution-unit.com/2018/08/02/mak…