Jennifer Davey
@jhdavey.bsky.social
Historian and Director of The History of Parliament (
@histparl.bsky.social).
@histparl.bsky.social).
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
Died #OTD 2017, Sir Tam Dalyell, Labour MP from 1962-2005.
A maverick backbencher known for his staunch anti-devolution and anti-war views, he is the longest-serving MP we have interviewed for our Oral History Project.
A maverick backbencher known for his staunch anti-devolution and anti-war views, he is the longest-serving MP we have interviewed for our Oral History Project.
January 26, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Died #OTD 2017, Sir Tam Dalyell, Labour MP from 1962-2005.
A maverick backbencher known for his staunch anti-devolution and anti-war views, he is the longest-serving MP we have interviewed for our Oral History Project.
A maverick backbencher known for his staunch anti-devolution and anti-war views, he is the longest-serving MP we have interviewed for our Oral History Project.
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
Following the news of another political defection in Westminster, we're resharing our recent #HistParl article on the history of MPs 'crossing the floor' and changing their party affiliation, drawing heavily upon extracts from our #OralHistory archive.
historyofparliament.com/2026/01/16/c...
historyofparliament.com/2026/01/16/c...
Crossing the Floor: Tales from the Oral History Project - The History of Parliament
Political defections, commonly known in Westminster parlance as ‘Crossing the Floor’, have been a phenomenon in Parliament since at least the 17th century.
historyofparliament.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Following the news of another political defection in Westminster, we're resharing our recent #HistParl article on the history of MPs 'crossing the floor' and changing their party affiliation, drawing heavily upon extracts from our #OralHistory archive.
historyofparliament.com/2026/01/16/c...
historyofparliament.com/2026/01/16/c...
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
Drawing of a (Georgian) King Penguin, possibly by Capt Charles Clarke, made during an expedition commanded by Capts Clarke and Cook in the mid-1770s...
#penguinawarenessday
#penguinawarenessday
January 20, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Drawing of a (Georgian) King Penguin, possibly by Capt Charles Clarke, made during an expedition commanded by Capts Clarke and Cook in the mid-1770s...
#penguinawarenessday
#penguinawarenessday
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
For #PenguinAwarenessDay we are sharing the fact that Cape Adare, home to the world's largest Adélie penguin colony, was named after a 19th century MP! victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/w...
What’s in a name? Part 1: places
What do the following have in common: the site of the world’s largest Adélie penguin colony, one of Cape Town’s main streets and a car park in northern France? The curious answer is that they are a…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:39 PM
For #PenguinAwarenessDay we are sharing the fact that Cape Adare, home to the world's largest Adélie penguin colony, was named after a 19th century MP! victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/w...
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
Shades here of affairs in #Parliament in the winter of 1725/6 when William Pulteney (later earl of Bath) finally broke with Walpole.
According to Dr Stratford:
"Pulteney's party is said to increase... the Tories came in so fast that he knows not what to do with them..."
#HistParl
According to Dr Stratford:
"Pulteney's party is said to increase... the Tories came in so fast that he knows not what to do with them..."
#HistParl
January 16, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Shades here of affairs in #Parliament in the winter of 1725/6 when William Pulteney (later earl of Bath) finally broke with Walpole.
According to Dr Stratford:
"Pulteney's party is said to increase... the Tories came in so fast that he knows not what to do with them..."
#HistParl
According to Dr Stratford:
"Pulteney's party is said to increase... the Tories came in so fast that he knows not what to do with them..."
#HistParl
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
Following some recent high-profile political defections, @alfiesteer.bsky.social and Dr @emmapeplow.bsky.social have delved into the History of Parliament's #OralHistory archive to explore some historical cases of MPs who 'crossed the floor' and changed their party affiliation.
Crossing the Floor: Tales from the Oral History Project - The History of Parliament
Political defections, commonly known in Westminster parlance as ‘Crossing the Floor’, have been a phenomenon in Parliament since at least the 17th century.
historyofparliament.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Following some recent high-profile political defections, @alfiesteer.bsky.social and Dr @emmapeplow.bsky.social have delved into the History of Parliament's #OralHistory archive to explore some historical cases of MPs who 'crossed the floor' and changed their party affiliation.
Come and work with us!
📣 We’re hiring!
The History of Parliament are seeking a Research Fellow for our House of Lords 1660-1832 project. @georgianlords.bsky.social
We’re looking for a historian with a PhD in 18thC British political or cultural history to join our expert team.
🔗 Details below:
#AcademicJobs #HistoryJobs
The History of Parliament are seeking a Research Fellow for our House of Lords 1660-1832 project. @georgianlords.bsky.social
We’re looking for a historian with a PhD in 18thC British political or cultural history to join our expert team.
🔗 Details below:
#AcademicJobs #HistoryJobs
Job Vacancy: Research Fellow, 1660-1832 House of Lords - The History of Parliament
The History of Parliament are excited to advertise for a research fellow to join our House of Lords 1660-1832 project.
historyofparliament.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Come and work with us!
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
In the first @georgianlords.bsky.social post of 2026, Dr Robin Eagles explores the identity of new Black voters in the 18th century: a chimney sweeper in the 1749 Westminster by-election, and most likely his descendents in later polls in Hertfordshire:
historyofparliament.com/2026/01/05/s...
historyofparliament.com/2026/01/05/s...
Steps towards identifying new Black voters in 18th-century Westminster and Hertfordshire - The History of Parliament
A few months ago, the History welcomed a guest post by Dr Gillian Williamson with her groundbreaking research into John London, to date the earliest known
historyofparliament.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM
In the first @georgianlords.bsky.social post of 2026, Dr Robin Eagles explores the identity of new Black voters in the 18th century: a chimney sweeper in the 1749 Westminster by-election, and most likely his descendents in later polls in Hertfordshire:
historyofparliament.com/2026/01/05/s...
historyofparliament.com/2026/01/05/s...
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
2/ For more information on the McLagan family, check out Martin's first article on Peter McLagan, MP for Linlithgowshire:
historyofparliament.com/2025/06/12/p...
historyofparliament.com/2025/06/12/p...
Peter McLagan (1823-1900): Scotland’s first Black MP - The History of Parliament
This is the first article in a new series for the Victorian Commons on Peter McLagan (1823-1900), by Dr Martin Spychal, Senior Research Fellow on our House of
historyofparliament.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:26 AM
2/ For more information on the McLagan family, check out Martin's first article on Peter McLagan, MP for Linlithgowshire:
historyofparliament.com/2025/06/12/p...
historyofparliament.com/2025/06/12/p...
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
Following on from his article on Peter McLagan, Scotland's first Black MP, Dr Martin Spychal has explored the life of his father, Peter McLagan senior, and his ownership of enslaved people in Demerara (modern-day Guyana):
historyofparliament.com/2025/12/11/p...
historyofparliament.com/2025/12/11/p...
Peter McLagan senior (1774-1860): enslaver, plantation owner and landed proprietor - The History of Parliament
Dr Martin Spychal explores the life of Peter McLagan senior (1774-1860). A farmer’s son from Perthshire, McLagan senior acquired considerable wealth as an enslaver and plantation owner in Demerara…
historyofparliament.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Following on from his article on Peter McLagan, Scotland's first Black MP, Dr Martin Spychal has explored the life of his father, Peter McLagan senior, and his ownership of enslaved people in Demerara (modern-day Guyana):
historyofparliament.com/2025/12/11/p...
historyofparliament.com/2025/12/11/p...
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
It’s Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary and @britishacademy.bsky.social postdoctoral fellow @hillaryburlock.bsky.social helps us understand what going to the ball was all about, including the months of preparation required
theconversation.com/inside-the-r...
theconversation.com/inside-the-r...
Inside the Regency ballroom: what you’d experience on a night out with Jane Austen
Ball-goers needed months to prepare for these events.
theconversation.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
It’s Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary and @britishacademy.bsky.social postdoctoral fellow @hillaryburlock.bsky.social helps us understand what going to the ball was all about, including the months of preparation required
theconversation.com/inside-the-r...
theconversation.com/inside-the-r...
As Nick says here, this really is a 'gem of a story' and told expertly and brilliantly by @victoriancommons.bsky.social
Our colleague @kathrynrix.bsky.social was featured in yesterday's 'Pick of the Week' on BBC Radio 4!
You can check out her featured interview with Susan Hulme, on how women watched Commons debates from 'the ventilator' after they were barred from the chamber in 1778, below (starting at 7:22):
You can check out her featured interview with Susan Hulme, on how women watched Commons debates from 'the ventilator' after they were barred from the chamber in 1778, below (starting at 7:22):
BBC Radio 4 - Pick of the Week, Nick Ahad
Nick Ahad presents a selection of the best bits of audio across the BBC.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
As Nick says here, this really is a 'gem of a story' and told expertly and brilliantly by @victoriancommons.bsky.social
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
My article on the Motherwell by-election is now available to read in @parlhistjournal.bsky.social
It explores the reasons for Dr. Robert McIntyre's victory and how he became embroiled in a sponsorship saga.
It explores the reasons for Dr. Robert McIntyre's victory and how he became embroiled in a sponsorship saga.
December 5, 2025 at 10:39 AM
My article on the Motherwell by-election is now available to read in @parlhistjournal.bsky.social
It explores the reasons for Dr. Robert McIntyre's victory and how he became embroiled in a sponsorship saga.
It explores the reasons for Dr. Robert McIntyre's victory and how he became embroiled in a sponsorship saga.
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
"Having looked at some deaths of MPs involving vegetables ..." is an unimprovable line
Death by turnip remains one of the History's most bizarre reasons for carrying off a member of Parliament.
T in our #1832AtoZ is for Turnip and also for Tiger, both of which had fatal consequences in incidents involving our Victorian MPs. Find out more here: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2019/12/19/b...
December 5, 2025 at 12:19 PM
"Having looked at some deaths of MPs involving vegetables ..." is an unimprovable line
Honestly, the joy of working @histparl.bsky.social.
Death by turnip remains one of the History's most bizarre reasons for carrying off a member of Parliament.
T in our #1832AtoZ is for Turnip and also for Tiger, both of which had fatal consequences in incidents involving our Victorian MPs. Find out more here: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2019/12/19/b...
December 5, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Honestly, the joy of working @histparl.bsky.social.
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
We have a vacancy at UCL for a new permanent lecturer in British and Comparative politics, working as part of the Constitution Unit
Join and help to lead the Constitution Unit!
@uclspp.bsky.social is looking for a Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics who will also join our senior team and contribute to our research and impact activities.
Applicants must have, or be near to finishing, a PhD.
Apply 👇
@uclspp.bsky.social is looking for a Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics who will also join our senior team and contribute to our research and impact activities.
Applicants must have, or be near to finishing, a PhD.
Apply 👇
Job opportunity: Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics
The UCL Department of Political Science and Constitution Unit are seeking to appoint a Lecturer in British and Comparative Politics. The successful candidate will join the senior team at the Unit.
www.ucl.ac.uk
December 1, 2025 at 2:49 PM
We have a vacancy at UCL for a new permanent lecturer in British and Comparative politics, working as part of the Constitution Unit
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
A minor insight into the importance of 18th-century women lacking a formal vote, but commanding influence over their menfolk:
"Mr. Winford, notwithstanding his behaviour in St. Stephens, has not the hearts of the citizens, or what is worse, the citizens' wives."
www.histparl.ac.uk/volume/1715-...
"Mr. Winford, notwithstanding his behaviour in St. Stephens, has not the hearts of the citizens, or what is worse, the citizens' wives."
www.histparl.ac.uk/volume/1715-...
www.histparl.ac.uk
December 1, 2025 at 3:21 PM
A minor insight into the importance of 18th-century women lacking a formal vote, but commanding influence over their menfolk:
"Mr. Winford, notwithstanding his behaviour in St. Stephens, has not the hearts of the citizens, or what is worse, the citizens' wives."
www.histparl.ac.uk/volume/1715-...
"Mr. Winford, notwithstanding his behaviour in St. Stephens, has not the hearts of the citizens, or what is worse, the citizens' wives."
www.histparl.ac.uk/volume/1715-...
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
Last week our colleague Dr Kathryn Rix appeared on Today in Parliament to discuss how women were able to watch debates in the House of Commons after they were officially barred from the chamber in 1778.
You can check out her interview here (starting at 22:55):
buff.ly/yrr6CQo
You can check out her interview here (starting at 22:55):
buff.ly/yrr6CQo
buff.ly
December 1, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Last week our colleague Dr Kathryn Rix appeared on Today in Parliament to discuss how women were able to watch debates in the House of Commons after they were officially barred from the chamber in 1778.
You can check out her interview here (starting at 22:55):
buff.ly/yrr6CQo
You can check out her interview here (starting at 22:55):
buff.ly/yrr6CQo
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
'Materials of State' concludes today at 1:45pm on BBC Radio 4. If you missed any of the episodes, don't fret! You can catch up with the rest of the series either on BBC iPlayer or on BBC Sounds!
BBC Radio 4 - Materials of State
David Cannadine examines some of the objects that make the British constitution so unique.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:30 AM
'Materials of State' concludes today at 1:45pm on BBC Radio 4. If you missed any of the episodes, don't fret! You can catch up with the rest of the series either on BBC iPlayer or on BBC Sounds!
I love these stats - because of course Gladstone delivered the longest Budget speech and Disraeli the shortest.
Unsurprisingly, the Budget statements are typically very long. To date, the longest Budget speech was that of Gladstone in 1853, coming in at a whopping 4 hours and 45 minutes. The shortest was Benjamin Disraeli's budget speech in 1867 which lasted just 45 minutes. (7/10)
November 26, 2025 at 11:53 AM
I love these stats - because of course Gladstone delivered the longest Budget speech and Disraeli the shortest.
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
Today is #BudgetDay 2025!
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)
November 26, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Today is #BudgetDay 2025!
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
Researching a bit of historic Budget trivia and TL;DR- it's Gladstone. It's always Gladstone.
The red box? Gladstone. The tradition the Chancellor can drink while speaking? Gladstone. Longest Budget speech? Gladstone. Most Budget speeches? Gladstone.
The red box? Gladstone. The tradition the Chancellor can drink while speaking? Gladstone. Longest Budget speech? Gladstone. Most Budget speeches? Gladstone.
November 25, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Researching a bit of historic Budget trivia and TL;DR- it's Gladstone. It's always Gladstone.
The red box? Gladstone. The tradition the Chancellor can drink while speaking? Gladstone. Longest Budget speech? Gladstone. Most Budget speeches? Gladstone.
The red box? Gladstone. The tradition the Chancellor can drink while speaking? Gladstone. Longest Budget speech? Gladstone. Most Budget speeches? Gladstone.
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
'Materials of State' will be airing this week on Radio 4, made in association with the History of Parliament.
The series examines the artefacts and emblems that have shaped, and continue to shape, the British constitution.
You can catch the first episode today at 1:45pm:
buff.ly/1I5JVcE
The series examines the artefacts and emblems that have shaped, and continue to shape, the British constitution.
You can catch the first episode today at 1:45pm:
buff.ly/1I5JVcE
BBC Radio 4 - Materials of State, The Union Jack
David Cannadine explores the history of the Union Jack.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:25 AM
'Materials of State' will be airing this week on Radio 4, made in association with the History of Parliament.
The series examines the artefacts and emblems that have shaped, and continue to shape, the British constitution.
You can catch the first episode today at 1:45pm:
buff.ly/1I5JVcE
The series examines the artefacts and emblems that have shaped, and continue to shape, the British constitution.
You can catch the first episode today at 1:45pm:
buff.ly/1I5JVcE
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
This is an exciting find: the remains of the building used by the House of Commons as its temporary chamber between 1835 and 1851. If you want to know what that building looked like, see our short article: historyofparliament.com/2025/09/25/t...
November 21, 2025 at 6:19 PM
This is an exciting find: the remains of the building used by the House of Commons as its temporary chamber between 1835 and 1851. If you want to know what that building looked like, see our short article: historyofparliament.com/2025/09/25/t...
Reposted by Jennifer Davey
This was a thing in the 18th century, too. See Charles Littleton's post on cricket and the Georgian aristocracy:
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...
‘Kind patron of the mirthful fray’: the English aristocracy and cricket in the 18th century - The History of Parliament
The Ashes Test series currently under way provides an opportunity to consider the English aristocracy’s role in cricket’s early development in the 18th
historyofparliament.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:04 PM
This was a thing in the 18th century, too. See Charles Littleton's post on cricket and the Georgian aristocracy:
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...