Alexandra Meakin
@ameakin.bsky.social
Lecturer in British Politics & Programme Director BA Politics and Parliamentary Studies, @polisatleeds.bsky.social @universityofleeds.bsky.social Wrote PhD on the Restoration & Renewal of Palace of Westminster. Reposts ≠ endorsements
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Not you Mandelson
February 6, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Not you Mandelson
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Winter Olympics should just be all the Olympics events but on ice. Weightlifting on ice. Judo on ice. 110m hurdles on ice.
February 6, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Winter Olympics should just be all the Olympics events but on ice. Weightlifting on ice. Judo on ice. 110m hurdles on ice.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
I can't take the "we're ungovernable! none of the levers work!" chat seriously when given a working "appoint peter mandelson y/n" lever, good choices were not made.
February 6, 2026 at 12:23 PM
I can't take the "we're ungovernable! none of the levers work!" chat seriously when given a working "appoint peter mandelson y/n" lever, good choices were not made.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
In 1918, The Representation of the People Act received royal assent.
@emmapeplow.bsky.social explains how the Act gave the parliamentary vote to some women for the first time as well as millions of previously excluded working men.
@emmapeplow.bsky.social explains how the Act gave the parliamentary vote to some women for the first time as well as millions of previously excluded working men.
The Representation of the People Act, 1918: A radical reform measure
Dr Emma Peplow, explains not only what this Act meant for women, but for men and the whole electoral system
historyofparliament.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:30 AM
In 1918, The Representation of the People Act received royal assent.
@emmapeplow.bsky.social explains how the Act gave the parliamentary vote to some women for the first time as well as millions of previously excluded working men.
@emmapeplow.bsky.social explains how the Act gave the parliamentary vote to some women for the first time as well as millions of previously excluded working men.
The PM Playbook is (rightly?) cynical about whether the 2030 R&R decision will ever happen. Writing up some thoughts on this tonight for @hansardsociety.bsky.social...
February 5, 2026 at 5:53 PM
The PM Playbook is (rightly?) cynical about whether the 2030 R&R decision will ever happen. Writing up some thoughts on this tonight for @hansardsociety.bsky.social...
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
📢 Job alert - Lecturer in Public Policy (Teaching & Scholarship)
A new position has opened at SPIR, one of the UK’s leading centres for the research and teaching of Politics and International Relations, with a uniquely diverse cohort of students.
Find out more 👇
qmul-jobs.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
A new position has opened at SPIR, one of the UK’s leading centres for the research and teaching of Politics and International Relations, with a uniquely diverse cohort of students.
Find out more 👇
qmul-jobs.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
Lecturer in Public Policy (Teaching & Scholarship) - QMUL Jobs
ID: 8933. Title: Lecturer in Public Policy (Teaching & Scholarship). Application Deadline:
qmul-jobs.tal.net
February 5, 2026 at 4:36 PM
📢 Job alert - Lecturer in Public Policy (Teaching & Scholarship)
A new position has opened at SPIR, one of the UK’s leading centres for the research and teaching of Politics and International Relations, with a uniquely diverse cohort of students.
Find out more 👇
qmul-jobs.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
A new position has opened at SPIR, one of the UK’s leading centres for the research and teaching of Politics and International Relations, with a uniquely diverse cohort of students.
Find out more 👇
qmul-jobs.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
2012: 'Doing nothing is not an option'.
Every parliament since: 'Yeah, but what if it was?'
Every parliament since: 'Yeah, but what if it was?'
This is bleakly comic: six times when Parliament has agreed the need for a major programme of works to the Palace of Westminster, and yet we'll need another vote in 2026 and then a further vote in mid 2030.
February 5, 2026 at 3:04 PM
2012: 'Doing nothing is not an option'.
Every parliament since: 'Yeah, but what if it was?'
Every parliament since: 'Yeah, but what if it was?'
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Remarkable stat from the latest report on R&R: "Between 2021/22 and 2023/24 reactive maintenance tasks increased by 70%"
(Report here committees.parliament.uk/publications...)
(Report here committees.parliament.uk/publications...)
February 5, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Remarkable stat from the latest report on R&R: "Between 2021/22 and 2023/24 reactive maintenance tasks increased by 70%"
(Report here committees.parliament.uk/publications...)
(Report here committees.parliament.uk/publications...)
And here's the costed proposals for Restoration and Renewal. Two options recommended: full decant and EMI+. Full decant will be cheaper and quicker - staying in the Palace during the works will means it takes up to 61 years and costs up to £18.7bn. Full link committees.parliament.uk/publications...
February 5, 2026 at 2:08 PM
And here's the costed proposals for Restoration and Renewal. Two options recommended: full decant and EMI+. Full decant will be cheaper and quicker - staying in the Palace during the works will means it takes up to 61 years and costs up to £18.7bn. Full link committees.parliament.uk/publications...
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Take a look at Parliament behind the scenes 🏛️
Alongside publishing the report with recommendations for restoring and renewing the home of Parliament, co-Chair of the Board, Judith Cummins MP explains why preserving this UNESCO World Heritage Site for future generations matters.
Alongside publishing the report with recommendations for restoring and renewing the home of Parliament, co-Chair of the Board, Judith Cummins MP explains why preserving this UNESCO World Heritage Site for future generations matters.
February 5, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Take a look at Parliament behind the scenes 🏛️
Alongside publishing the report with recommendations for restoring and renewing the home of Parliament, co-Chair of the Board, Judith Cummins MP explains why preserving this UNESCO World Heritage Site for future generations matters.
Alongside publishing the report with recommendations for restoring and renewing the home of Parliament, co-Chair of the Board, Judith Cummins MP explains why preserving this UNESCO World Heritage Site for future generations matters.
Happy Restoration & Renewal day! The (very) long-awaited costed proposals report to be published at 2pm, according to Playbook. Will the Programme Board recommend a single way forward, as originally expected? Or will it keep the options open, as reported by @estwebber.bsky.social late last year?
February 5, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Happy Restoration & Renewal day! The (very) long-awaited costed proposals report to be published at 2pm, according to Playbook. Will the Programme Board recommend a single way forward, as originally expected? Or will it keep the options open, as reported by @estwebber.bsky.social late last year?
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Delighted that we at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk are once again supporting this annual online event aimed at reaching people currently under-represented in the think tank sector… please share with your networks…
February 4, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Delighted that we at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk are once again supporting this annual online event aimed at reaching people currently under-represented in the think tank sector… please share with your networks…
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Why planning policy matters: a short cautionary tale.
As I keep saying, the new draft National Planning Policy Framework fails to mention safety for women and girls (or indeed to include the word woman at all)
Why this is important is explained by the picture below.
🧵
As I keep saying, the new draft National Planning Policy Framework fails to mention safety for women and girls (or indeed to include the word woman at all)
Why this is important is explained by the picture below.
🧵
February 4, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Why planning policy matters: a short cautionary tale.
As I keep saying, the new draft National Planning Policy Framework fails to mention safety for women and girls (or indeed to include the word woman at all)
Why this is important is explained by the picture below.
🧵
As I keep saying, the new draft National Planning Policy Framework fails to mention safety for women and girls (or indeed to include the word woman at all)
Why this is important is explained by the picture below.
🧵
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
When I was writing about Labour’s prolific use of the humble address in opposition day debates during the last Parliament I remember thinking that when they’re in government they better be ready because the Tories are going to use the same tactic against them. Were they ready? It seems not.
February 4, 2026 at 4:31 PM
When I was writing about Labour’s prolific use of the humble address in opposition day debates during the last Parliament I remember thinking that when they’re in government they better be ready because the Tories are going to use the same tactic against them. Were they ready? It seems not.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
When people talk about the idea that some universities must go under, there’s a certain tendency to behave as if these smaller local campuses are negligible- regrettable casualties perhaps but not ‘real’ universities. This report does a great job of illustrating why that’s wrong.
Everything in this report reflects on what we value, for communities, for peripheral places, for young people, for education, for the future - and it looks like we’ve got it all wrong.
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:07 AM
When people talk about the idea that some universities must go under, there’s a certain tendency to behave as if these smaller local campuses are negligible- regrettable casualties perhaps but not ‘real’ universities. This report does a great job of illustrating why that’s wrong.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Devastatingly sad.
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
'When it opened, the campus housed a GP surgery and a new dental clinic offering free treatment to local people. This was followed later by the forum – a library and art gallery shared by the university and local people.' 1/2
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Devastatingly sad.
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
Every Labour MP should be forced to read this. In fact, every MP, who rushed back to Parliament to vote to save one steel mill, whilst hastening the collapse of dozens of universities - and harming the students, staff, communities and economies universities sustain and support
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
A precedent? God forbid!
Also, the staff in parliament are forced to work with, and effectively be subservient to, members of both Houses. So yes, for their sake as well set a precedent that people no longer have to doff their caps to abusers.
Also, the staff in parliament are forced to work with, and effectively be subservient to, members of both Houses. So yes, for their sake as well set a precedent that people no longer have to doff their caps to abusers.
Understand Tories won't create or back a bill to remove Mandelson's peerage. There is unease among politicians in Westminster about the precedent of a government using its large majority to go after individuals, no matter how egregious. But mechanisms should still be there to expel him.
February 3, 2026 at 12:14 PM
A precedent? God forbid!
Also, the staff in parliament are forced to work with, and effectively be subservient to, members of both Houses. So yes, for their sake as well set a precedent that people no longer have to doff their caps to abusers.
Also, the staff in parliament are forced to work with, and effectively be subservient to, members of both Houses. So yes, for their sake as well set a precedent that people no longer have to doff their caps to abusers.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Happy for Gen Z that they get their own Mandelson scandal.
February 2, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Happy for Gen Z that they get their own Mandelson scandal.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Sir John Templeton once said that the four most dangerous words in the English language were 'this time it's different'.
He was wrong. The four most dangerous words in the English language are in fact 'give Peter another chance'.
He was wrong. The four most dangerous words in the English language are in fact 'give Peter another chance'.
February 2, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Sir John Templeton once said that the four most dangerous words in the English language were 'this time it's different'.
He was wrong. The four most dangerous words in the English language are in fact 'give Peter another chance'.
He was wrong. The four most dangerous words in the English language are in fact 'give Peter another chance'.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean has taken over the role as Lord Speaker.
So what does the Lord Speaker do? Read our explainer to find out more about the role and how it is elected www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
So what does the Lord Speaker do? Read our explainer to find out more about the role and how it is elected www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
Lord Speaker | Institute for Government
What is the role of the Lord Speaker?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean has taken over the role as Lord Speaker.
So what does the Lord Speaker do? Read our explainer to find out more about the role and how it is elected www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
So what does the Lord Speaker do? Read our explainer to find out more about the role and how it is elected www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons, by @louisevthompson.bsky.social for @conunitucl.bsky.social : constitution-unit.com/2026/01/26/w...
Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons
Following the Unit’s January seminar, Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?, panellist Louise Thompson explains the procedural and logistical obstacles facing small parties in…
constitution-unit.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Why we need to strengthen and codify small party rights in the House of Commons, by @louisevthompson.bsky.social for @conunitucl.bsky.social : constitution-unit.com/2026/01/26/w...
On my way to check in on the brilliant @polisatleeds.bsky.social students on placement in Westminster today... Always good to have a reminder of the need for actual progress on Restoration and Renewal 🤦
February 2, 2026 at 9:10 AM
On my way to check in on the brilliant @polisatleeds.bsky.social students on placement in Westminster today... Always good to have a reminder of the need for actual progress on Restoration and Renewal 🤦
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
But improvements in attitude are essentially worthless if nothing actually changes for disabled students. The DSUK report tells us what we have known for years: students have to battle repeatedly, relentlessly, to access the bare minimum of what should be considered inclusive practice anyway
January 29, 2026 at 9:45 AM
But improvements in attitude are essentially worthless if nothing actually changes for disabled students. The DSUK report tells us what we have known for years: students have to battle repeatedly, relentlessly, to access the bare minimum of what should be considered inclusive practice anyway
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Andrew has really taken one for the team (ie everyone) here. This thread continues long past the point of despair, and is worth every post
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Andrew has really taken one for the team (ie everyone) here. This thread continues long past the point of despair, and is worth every post
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Bored on train so made a starter pack listing all the House of Commons Library automated accounts on Bluesky:
go.bsky.app/4Giwged
Would recommend treating it as a pick list, rather than a normal starter pack. Some of the accounts - particularly written answers from departments - are quite noisy.
go.bsky.app/4Giwged
Would recommend treating it as a pick list, rather than a normal starter pack. Some of the accounts - particularly written answers from departments - are quite noisy.
January 29, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Bored on train so made a starter pack listing all the House of Commons Library automated accounts on Bluesky:
go.bsky.app/4Giwged
Would recommend treating it as a pick list, rather than a normal starter pack. Some of the accounts - particularly written answers from departments - are quite noisy.
go.bsky.app/4Giwged
Would recommend treating it as a pick list, rather than a normal starter pack. Some of the accounts - particularly written answers from departments - are quite noisy.