Lord Skidelsky obituary Economic historian and politician who was a leading authority on the life and work of John Maynard Keynes

We are sorry to learn of the deaths of two leading historians and Fellows of the Society this month: Lord Robert Skidelsky (1939-2026), economic historian and biographer of Keynes bit.ly/4e1mcqa #Skystorians

Parliament and Space Travel A quick list from Hansard

Inspied by the success of the Artemis II mission, @jhdavey.bsky.social has delved into Hansard to find out how Parliamentarians have marked and celebrated space travel over the last sixty years.

Find our more via the link to our substack 'Scribble Book'!

MPs in World War I: Dr. John Esmonde (1862-1915) - The History of Parliament Today marks the 100th anniversary of the third MP who died fighting in the First World War, and the second this week. Continuing our series of short

Today marks 111 years since John Joseph Esmonde, MP for North Tipperary, died whilst serving in the First World War.

In an article for #HistParl, Dr Kathryn Rix reflected on his life and career as one of the few medical doctors in the Commons.

On the Clerk of the Parliaments Earlier this month, history was made in the House of Lords.

Below, I explore some of notable individuals who have served as Clerk of the Parliaments in the role's 700 year history.

Click the link below to read and subscribe!

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There is a new Clerk of the Parliaments - and the first time, it is a woman!

Women’s History Month: A Round Up Early this month, I was lucky enough to attend the Speaker’s Reception for Women’s History Month.

In the latest post for Scribble Book, @jhdavey.bsky.social gives a round up of Women's History Month.

Read and subscribe via the link below!

The British Academy launches new Innovation Fellowships bringing sustainability expertise to Whitehall The British Academy has announced a new cohort of Innovation Fellowships that will bring cutting‑edge social science and humanities (SHAPE) research expertise to the core of government policy making.

One of the things I've been keen on is bringing academic insight into the policy sphere. So I'm really happy we are placing 7 academics in Whitehall to help think about sustainability matters
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/the-bri...

On the Cloisters From royal chapel to 'gothic slum'

In the latest post for Scribble Book, @jhdavey.bsky.social explores the cloisters of their Palace of Westminster, their origins, history and contemporary use. Read and subscribe via the link below!

Women in Parliament Entry #1

As part of a new series for Scribble Book, exploring the history of women in Parliament, @jhdavey.bsky.social has explored the career of Kay Midwinter, Parliament's first female clerk.

Read and subscribe via the link below!

Come and join us for Sarah's seminar next Tuesday - sign up now to attend in person and online.

Very similar story here @histparl.bsky.social

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.

How brilliant - congratulations!

LGBTQ+ History Month Parliamentary and LGBTQ+ histories have long been connected.

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

Read it here:

On the Althing I am currently reading Independent People (1946) by the Icelandic Nobel Prize winner Halldór Laxness.

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!

Christchurch 1993: By-election Campaigning in the Glare of the Media - The History of Parliament On Thursday the voters of Gorton and Denton will elect their new MP after weeks of media speculation. This by-election had huge attention before it was even

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...

Paddington in Parliament Dr Hannes Kleineke of our Commons 1461-1504 Section explores how Paddington Bear's favourite sweet treat was traded by some members of the late medieval House

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…

'Matters false and scandalous': the Scots and the emergence of party in the mid-1640s - The History of Parliament What had contributed much to the crystallisation of these parties was the signing of the Solemn League and Covenant in the early autumn of 1643. The Scottish

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.

Lecture: Power & the Culture of the Commons in the Long Parliament Join us for a History of Parliament lecture, given by the editor of the House of Commons 1640-1660 volumes, Dr Stephen Roberts.

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.

The Parliament of Bats: Plantagenets at War Gone Medieval · Episode

#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:

Thank you!

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!

The ladies’ gallery in the temporary House of Commons - The History of Parliament Dr Kathryn Rix looks at the provision made for women to witness debates in the temporary chamber

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.

A three quarter length photograph of a man looking to his left. He is wearing a dark blue suit with a white shirt and dark burgundy tie. He is clean shaven with a pair of thick rimmed brown glasses, and side parted grey hair.

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.

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.

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...