Cristina Leston-Bandeira
@estrangeirada.bsky.social
Parliaments and Public Engagement, with an obsession for petitions. Professor of Politics @ POLISatLeeds and Chair of IPEN, the International Parliament Engagement Network: https://ipen-network.org/ .
Pinned
What is the point of petitions in British politics?
Just under 2 million people signed a petition opposing Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK – half the number of those who signed one asking for a second EU referendum. With the role of…
blogs.lse.ac.uk
A thread on petitions - with the latest viral petition (GE), I hoped to do a blog about it, but tricky finding the time! So instead, I've listed below previous posts I've written on the occasion of previous viral petitions - here for @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social 1/7: blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira has been involved in the creation of a pioneering map of the services that parliaments offer across the world on public engagement.
Explore the International Parliament Engagement Network's map: shorturl.at/Brx9k
Find out more about the project: shorturl.at/lG6S7
Explore the International Parliament Engagement Network's map: shorturl.at/Brx9k
Find out more about the project: shorturl.at/lG6S7
Mapping public engagement in parliaments across the world – IPEN
ipen-network.org
October 22, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira has been involved in the creation of a pioneering map of the services that parliaments offer across the world on public engagement.
Explore the International Parliament Engagement Network's map: shorturl.at/Brx9k
Find out more about the project: shorturl.at/lG6S7
Explore the International Parliament Engagement Network's map: shorturl.at/Brx9k
Find out more about the project: shorturl.at/lG6S7
Busy day in parliament yesterday, with highlight of launch of our global map of public engagement services offered by parliaments across the world - which can be accessed now here: ipen-network.org/mapping-publ...
Mapping public engagement in parliaments across the world – IPEN
ipen-network.org
September 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Busy day in parliament yesterday, with highlight of launch of our global map of public engagement services offered by parliaments across the world - which can be accessed now here: ipen-network.org/mapping-publ...
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
Happening now! Our colleague, Dr Laura Sudulich, presents 'Mapping Public Engagement in Parliaments Across the World' @ukparliament.parliament.uk, with POST.
🎙️ Chaired by @shane-martin.bsky.social, joined by @estrangeirada.bsky.social, Chair of IPEN
#EssexGov #EssexGovImpact #UKParliament #IPEN
🎙️ Chaired by @shane-martin.bsky.social, joined by @estrangeirada.bsky.social, Chair of IPEN
#EssexGov #EssexGovImpact #UKParliament #IPEN
September 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Happening now! Our colleague, Dr Laura Sudulich, presents 'Mapping Public Engagement in Parliaments Across the World' @ukparliament.parliament.uk, with POST.
🎙️ Chaired by @shane-martin.bsky.social, joined by @estrangeirada.bsky.social, Chair of IPEN
#EssexGov #EssexGovImpact #UKParliament #IPEN
🎙️ Chaired by @shane-martin.bsky.social, joined by @estrangeirada.bsky.social, Chair of IPEN
#EssexGov #EssexGovImpact #UKParliament #IPEN
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
Our Guide on Youth Engagement for parliaments is now available to download - focuses on idea of 'meaningful engagement', avoiding tokenistic and/or elitist engagement, to nurture real opportunities for engagement: www.idea.int/publications...
Youth Engagement: Guides on Citizen Engagement for Parliaments
Youth engagement is key for a healthy democracy. Young people are the future generations that will lead our democracies. They are also often amongst the most disengaged people of our societies. It is ...
www.idea.int
August 12, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Our Guide on Youth Engagement for parliaments is now available to download - focuses on idea of 'meaningful engagement', avoiding tokenistic and/or elitist engagement, to nurture real opportunities for engagement: www.idea.int/publications...
Our Guide on Youth Engagement for parliaments is now available to download - focuses on idea of 'meaningful engagement', avoiding tokenistic and/or elitist engagement, to nurture real opportunities for engagement: www.idea.int/publications...
Youth Engagement: Guides on Citizen Engagement for Parliaments
Youth engagement is key for a healthy democracy. Young people are the future generations that will lead our democracies. They are also often amongst the most disengaged people of our societies. It is ...
www.idea.int
August 12, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Our Guide on Youth Engagement for parliaments is now available to download - focuses on idea of 'meaningful engagement', avoiding tokenistic and/or elitist engagement, to nurture real opportunities for engagement: www.idea.int/publications...
I know it's not the most exciting of topics, but Crickey, I really am invisible in BlueSky - no reactions other than from the lovely @adefty.bsky.social. It is a good article though, promise😊.
New publication with the fab @sofiaserrasilva.bsky.social - we develop a new typology about the roles of parliamentary staff within public engagement, showing their decisive role in the way parliaments present themselves to/relate with the public. Open access: www.cogitatiopress.com/politicsandg...
The Invisible Architects of Public Engagement: Understanding the Different Types of Roles Played by Parliamentary Staff | Article | Politics and Governance
Sofia Serra-Silva, Cristina Leston-Bandeira
www.cogitatiopress.com
August 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I know it's not the most exciting of topics, but Crickey, I really am invisible in BlueSky - no reactions other than from the lovely @adefty.bsky.social. It is a good article though, promise😊.
New publication with the fab @sofiaserrasilva.bsky.social - we develop a new typology about the roles of parliamentary staff within public engagement, showing their decisive role in the way parliaments present themselves to/relate with the public. Open access: www.cogitatiopress.com/politicsandg...
The Invisible Architects of Public Engagement: Understanding the Different Types of Roles Played by Parliamentary Staff | Article | Politics and Governance
Sofia Serra-Silva, Cristina Leston-Bandeira
www.cogitatiopress.com
August 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
New publication with the fab @sofiaserrasilva.bsky.social - we develop a new typology about the roles of parliamentary staff within public engagement, showing their decisive role in the way parliaments present themselves to/relate with the public. Open access: www.cogitatiopress.com/politicsandg...
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
Did you know that there have been 83 government defeats in the House of Lords so far this parliament?
We have a record on our website of every defeat of this kind dating back to 2005!
Find out more and sign up to our mailing list to be alerted of new defeats 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution....
We have a record on our website of every defeat of this kind dating back to 2005!
Find out more and sign up to our mailing list to be alerted of new defeats 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution....
August 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Did you know that there have been 83 government defeats in the House of Lords so far this parliament?
We have a record on our website of every defeat of this kind dating back to 2005!
Find out more and sign up to our mailing list to be alerted of new defeats 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution....
We have a record on our website of every defeat of this kind dating back to 2005!
Find out more and sign up to our mailing list to be alerted of new defeats 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution....
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
We, at IPEN, have launched a series of 8 Guides on Citizen Engagement for Parliaments, each on a specific topic. Further info here, from which you can also access each guide as they get published: www.inter-pares.eu/en/publicati...
Guides on Citizen Engagement for Parliaments
Parliaments in Partnership
www.inter-pares.eu
July 28, 2025 at 10:55 AM
We, at IPEN, have launched a series of 8 Guides on Citizen Engagement for Parliaments, each on a specific topic. Further info here, from which you can also access each guide as they get published: www.inter-pares.eu/en/publicati...
We, at IPEN, have launched a series of 8 Guides on Citizen Engagement for Parliaments, each on a specific topic. Further info here, from which you can also access each guide as they get published: www.inter-pares.eu/en/publicati...
Guides on Citizen Engagement for Parliaments
Parliaments in Partnership
www.inter-pares.eu
July 28, 2025 at 10:55 AM
We, at IPEN, have launched a series of 8 Guides on Citizen Engagement for Parliaments, each on a specific topic. Further info here, from which you can also access each guide as they get published: www.inter-pares.eu/en/publicati...
Such a brilliant day, love graduation, when we celebrate our students' achievements. Congratulations PPS cohort! And congratulations Politics cohort too! Some brilliant students, it's a privilege to teach and support them, graduation definitely the highlight of the year😊🎉.
What a day! So, so proud of our 2025 graduating class @polisatleeds.bsky.social - here's the brilliant BA Politics and Parliamentary Studies cohort (we missed you Phoebe!) @estrangeirada.bsky.social
July 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Such a brilliant day, love graduation, when we celebrate our students' achievements. Congratulations PPS cohort! And congratulations Politics cohort too! Some brilliant students, it's a privilege to teach and support them, graduation definitely the highlight of the year😊🎉.
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
But this change didn't start with Starmer - and I think it goes wider than just voting. The whip is now also removed/suspended routinely for quasi-HR complaints, in a way it would not have been, say, 30 years ago.
July 16, 2025 at 6:57 PM
But this change didn't start with Starmer - and I think it goes wider than just voting. The whip is now also removed/suspended routinely for quasi-HR complaints, in a way it would not have been, say, 30 years ago.
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
The whip is now removed/suspended for more easily than it ever used to be. No Labour MP lost the whip under Blair because of their voting; those few cases that did were for things they'd said or done outside the voting lobbies.
July 16, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The whip is now removed/suspended for more easily than it ever used to be. No Labour MP lost the whip under Blair because of their voting; those few cases that did were for things they'd said or done outside the voting lobbies.
One cancelled train three delayed trains and four trains later I eventually got home yesterday for 22:30, but really enjoyed being part of the first @studyofparl.bsky.social Welsh gathering to discuss what's to come with the Seventh Senedd. And such a stunning bay in Cardiff.
July 11, 2025 at 8:31 AM
One cancelled train three delayed trains and four trains later I eventually got home yesterday for 22:30, but really enjoyed being part of the first @studyofparl.bsky.social Welsh gathering to discuss what's to come with the Seventh Senedd. And such a stunning bay in Cardiff.
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
ON THE BLOG: 10 reasons why the hereditary peers bill should be amended to constrain Prime Ministerial patronage and the size of the House of Lords
Ahead of the hereditary peers bill's report stage starting in the Lords today, our Director, Meg Russell, sets out why peers should amend the bill.
Ahead of the hereditary peers bill's report stage starting in the Lords today, our Director, Meg Russell, sets out why peers should amend the bill.
10 reasons why the hereditary peers bill should be amended to constrain Prime Ministerial patronage and the size of the House of Lords
The government’s House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill reaches its report stage in the chamber this week – presenting a serious moment for possible amendments. Meg Russell argues that peers should…
constitution-unit.com
July 2, 2025 at 10:59 AM
ON THE BLOG: 10 reasons why the hereditary peers bill should be amended to constrain Prime Ministerial patronage and the size of the House of Lords
Ahead of the hereditary peers bill's report stage starting in the Lords today, our Director, Meg Russell, sets out why peers should amend the bill.
Ahead of the hereditary peers bill's report stage starting in the Lords today, our Director, Meg Russell, sets out why peers should amend the bill.
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
Congrats to @estrangeirada.bsky.social and IPEN colleagues at @universityofleeds.bsky.social for publication of Guide on Principles of Parliamentary Public Engagement: www.idea.int/sites/defaul...
www.idea.int
July 1, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Congrats to @estrangeirada.bsky.social and IPEN colleagues at @universityofleeds.bsky.social for publication of Guide on Principles of Parliamentary Public Engagement: www.idea.int/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
NEW BLOG: 10 reasons why the hereditary peers bill should be amended to constrain Prime Ministerial patronage and the size of the House of Lords
Ahead of the hereditary peers bill's report stage starting in the Lords tomorrow, our Director, Meg Russell, sets out why peers should amend the bill.
Ahead of the hereditary peers bill's report stage starting in the Lords tomorrow, our Director, Meg Russell, sets out why peers should amend the bill.
10 reasons why the hereditary peers bill should be amended to constrain Prime Ministerial patronage and the size of the House of Lords
The government’s House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Bill reaches its report stage in the chamber this week – presenting a serious moment for possible amendments. Meg Russell argues that peers should…
constitution-unit.com
July 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM
NEW BLOG: 10 reasons why the hereditary peers bill should be amended to constrain Prime Ministerial patronage and the size of the House of Lords
Ahead of the hereditary peers bill's report stage starting in the Lords tomorrow, our Director, Meg Russell, sets out why peers should amend the bill.
Ahead of the hereditary peers bill's report stage starting in the Lords tomorrow, our Director, Meg Russell, sets out why peers should amend the bill.
New article out with fab historian colleagues - 'Women's campaigning, petitioning, and grassroots activism, 1945-1997' (open access / free to access) 👇
#history #SkyStorians new article out out now! 'Women's campaigning, petitioning, and grassroots activism, 1945-1997' in Women's History Review. Co-authored with @abiedoubleyou.bsky.social @richardhuzzey.bsky.social & @estrangeirada.bsky.social. OA.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
June 30, 2025 at 12:33 PM
New article out with fab historian colleagues - 'Women's campaigning, petitioning, and grassroots activism, 1945-1997' (open access / free to access) 👇
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
Two vacancies for assistant professor (tenure track) at our Department of Political Science. One on International Relations, the other on EU Politics and Governance.
I may be biased, but would 100% recommend applying. We are a warm, collegial, ambitious department.
werkenbij.uva.nl/en/vacancies...
I may be biased, but would 100% recommend applying. We are a warm, collegial, ambitious department.
werkenbij.uva.nl/en/vacancies...
Vacancy — 2 Assistant Professors: International Relations (option a) and EU Politics and Governance (option b
The Department of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam invites applications for two tenure-track Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent) positions in Political Science with a specializat...
werkenbij.uva.nl
May 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Two vacancies for assistant professor (tenure track) at our Department of Political Science. One on International Relations, the other on EU Politics and Governance.
I may be biased, but would 100% recommend applying. We are a warm, collegial, ambitious department.
werkenbij.uva.nl/en/vacancies...
I may be biased, but would 100% recommend applying. We are a warm, collegial, ambitious department.
werkenbij.uva.nl/en/vacancies...
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
Very excited to see the new edition of Exploring Parliament and our chapter in print 💙 Thank you @ameakin.bsky.social @estrangeirada.bsky.social @louisevthompson.bsky.social for all your fantastic work! 1/
May 17, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Very excited to see the new edition of Exploring Parliament and our chapter in print 💙 Thank you @ameakin.bsky.social @estrangeirada.bsky.social @louisevthompson.bsky.social for all your fantastic work! 1/
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
Yesterday was the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk launch of @estrangeirada.bsky.social, @ameakin.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social's book, Exploring Parliament.
Meg Russell wrote a chapter with @danielgover.bsky.social and spoke at the event chaired by @drhannahwhite.bsky.social.
Watch 👇
Meg Russell wrote a chapter with @danielgover.bsky.social and spoke at the event chaired by @drhannahwhite.bsky.social.
Watch 👇
Book launch: ‘Exploring Parliament’
This event marked the official launch of the second edition of Exploring Parliament, a new book which brings together academic insights with real-world persp...
www.youtube.com
May 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Yesterday was the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk launch of @estrangeirada.bsky.social, @ameakin.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social's book, Exploring Parliament.
Meg Russell wrote a chapter with @danielgover.bsky.social and spoke at the event chaired by @drhannahwhite.bsky.social.
Watch 👇
Meg Russell wrote a chapter with @danielgover.bsky.social and spoke at the event chaired by @drhannahwhite.bsky.social.
Watch 👇
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
It's been fab to put together the 2nd Ed of Exploring Parliament with @estrangeirada.bsky.social & @ameakin.bsky.social. In this @psa-parliaments.bsky.social blog we asked some of our (73!) contributing authors to reflect on the experience of writing their chapters psaparliaments.org/2025/05/09/t...
The benefits of bringing academics and practitioners together: Writing the second edition of Exploring Parliament – PSA Parliaments
psaparliaments.org
May 16, 2025 at 6:58 AM
It's been fab to put together the 2nd Ed of Exploring Parliament with @estrangeirada.bsky.social & @ameakin.bsky.social. In this @psa-parliaments.bsky.social blog we asked some of our (73!) contributing authors to reflect on the experience of writing their chapters psaparliaments.org/2025/05/09/t...
And huge thanks to the @studyofparl.bsky.social for sponsoring our drinks reception. It was great to see so many SPG members there. We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did 😊.
We had the most brilliant launch of Exploring Parliament this evening at the Institute for Government! Thank you to all the panellists, all the guests, and most of all to @instituteforgovernment.org.uk for hosting us, truly appreciated 🙏😊. V special also to have our own students attending 😊1/2:
May 15, 2025 at 9:00 PM
And huge thanks to the @studyofparl.bsky.social for sponsoring our drinks reception. It was great to see so many SPG members there. We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did 😊.
We had the most brilliant launch of Exploring Parliament this evening at the Institute for Government! Thank you to all the panellists, all the guests, and most of all to @instituteforgovernment.org.uk for hosting us, truly appreciated 🙏😊. V special also to have our own students attending 😊1/2:
May 15, 2025 at 8:48 PM
We had the most brilliant launch of Exploring Parliament this evening at the Institute for Government! Thank you to all the panellists, all the guests, and most of all to @instituteforgovernment.org.uk for hosting us, truly appreciated 🙏😊. V special also to have our own students attending 😊1/2:
Reposted by Cristina Leston-Bandeira
Great to be watching the absolute dream team of @estrangeirada.bsky.social, @louisevthompson.bsky.social & @ameakin.bsky.social launch the fantastic Exploring Parliament book! 💕
May 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Great to be watching the absolute dream team of @estrangeirada.bsky.social, @louisevthompson.bsky.social & @ameakin.bsky.social launch the fantastic Exploring Parliament book! 💕