In which I discover that politicians really love using Alice in Wonderland as an example. Also top marks to Ed Miliband for getting the Moomins into Hansard.

In the latest post on our Substack, 'Scribble Book', @jhdavey.bsky.social reflects on LGBTQ+ History Month within Parliamentary history. Read it here:

In this week's Scribble Book, #HistParl director @jhdavey.bsky.social takes a literary trip to Iceland, and discusses the importance of Parliament in one of the country's most famous novels. Read and subscribe via the link below!

Posting again my article on the 1993 Christchurch by-election as voters go to the polls in Gorton & Denton today. Fascinating reflections from the two main candidates Diana Maddock & Lord Hayward in our interviews. Seems like today's vote will be much closer! historyofparliament.com/2026/02/24/c...

After his appearance at the BAFTAs last night, check out our latest article on Paddington Bear! Dr Hannes Kleineke explores how his favourite sweet treat was traded by some members of the late medieval House of Commons.

The adjustment to work after half-term exemplified by me continually writing Duck instead of Duke. Two very different things.

The skeleton & House of Lords Reform….

Valentines’ Day in that most romantic of places, the House of Commons…

In a new guest article for #HistParl, Prof Laura Stewart explores the work of Scottish Polemicist David Buchanan, and how his writings influenced partisan rivalries in the Parliaments of the 1640s.

This Wednesday Dr Stephen Roberts will be speaking on 'Power and the Culture of the Commons in the Long Parliament. 📍Jubilee Room, Palace of Westminster (SOLD OUT) / Online 🗓️Wednesday 11 February 2026 ⏱️18:15 - 19:15 There are still online tickets available below.

#HistParl's Dr Hannes Kleineke was a recent guest on the History Hit podcast Gone Medieval! Dr Kleineke discussed the Parliament of February 1426, which saw some members take up bats and clubs to defend themselves against the threat of violence... Listen to the episode here:

In which I got to visit the basement of the British Library (!) & read Ramsay MacDonald's letter criticising Wedgwood for being concerned with 'vulgar trivialities'...

V excited that we are launching Scribble Book - a free weekly newsletter ft. notes and jottings from me on all things parliamentary history (and possibly a few other things). You can subscribe below!

In February 1778, women were barred from the House of Commons chamber. But this did not stop them from listening in on debates, as women began to occupy the 'ventilator' in the attic of the chamber. @victoriancommons.bsky.social

We are very sad to hear that Jim Wallace, Liberal MP & MSP from 1983-2007, and Deputy First Minister of Scotland from 1999-2005, has passed away. In 2022-25, Lord Wallace participated in our #OralHistory project, contributing over 5 hours of reflections on his life and career.

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.

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...

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

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...

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

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!

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...

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...

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...

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...

As Nick says here, this really is a 'gem of a story' and told expertly and brilliantly by @victoriancommons.bsky.social

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.

"Having looked at some deaths of MPs involving vegetables ..." is an unimprovable line

Honestly, the joy of working @histparl.bsky.social.

We have a vacancy at UCL for a new permanent lecturer in British and Comparative politics, working as part of the Constitution Unit

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-...

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

'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.

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)

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.

'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

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...

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...

With this years Ashes beginning in the early hours of this morning, we thought we'd point you in the direction of @TheVictCommons where they explore the link between cricket and the Victorian House of Commons historyofparliament.com/2025/11/20/c...

Interesting: during the debates on the spirituous liquors bill (1743) in the House of Lords, the earl of Aylesford proposes something rather modern: "Instead of passing or rejecting this Bill... let us only delay it, by which we shall give the Commons time to reflect upon it" #HistParl

I was honoured to unveil a plaque for Sam Green, the first openly gay politician to be elected in the UK. He did so much for his community and his courage and dedication remind us to keep championing equality, respect and the rights of everybody.

POV: you’ve been hiding under the Palace of Westminster for hundreds of years. See what we uncovered during recent surveys of the Palace as we prepare for its restoration.

This year's Annual Lecture will be taking place on 16 December, where Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, will be speaking on Clement Attlee's Labour Governments. Grab your FREE ticket below before its too late: hptannuallecture2025.eventbrite.co.uk

It seems highly likely that Messrs Kent and Fatt, both of them described in the press as being Black, and who held in succession (c1739) the office of sweeper of the king's chimneys - an office of some profit - would have qualified to vote. Worth a check in the poll books.

This is ground-breaking research by Gillian Williamson. It shows that 30 years before Ignatius Sancho at least one Black voter participated in an election, and the implication must be that there were others like John London. #skystorians

In November 1749, John London walked from his home to vote in the Westminster constituency parliamentary by-election. As Dr Gillian Williamson explores, this provides the earliest known record of a Black person voting in a British parliamentary election:

The History of Parliament is excited to announce this year's Annual Lecture! On 16 December in Portcullis House, Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds will be speaking on 'Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51: A Reappraisal'. Tickets are FREE and can be found in the link below:

In our latest article, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War. Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below: