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
This is excellent by @dawnbutlerbrent.bsky.social in outlining the threats MPs face.
Sadly, as a highly visable, black woman I suspect she has it worse than most. But its pretty much now universal: every MP experiances the same fears
Which raises, as Dawn says, a simply question: why do it?
Sadly, as a highly visable, black woman I suspect she has it worse than most. But its pretty much now universal: every MP experiances the same fears
Which raises, as Dawn says, a simply question: why do it?
I have faced abuse, assaults and death threats because I’m an MP. It’s making politics a no-go zone | Dawn Butler
A new report highlights the dangers experienced by those who seek to serve the public. People are being deterred and your democracy is suffering, says Labour MP Dawn Butler
www.theguardian.com
September 17, 2026 at 6:11 AM
This is excellent by @dawnbutlerbrent.bsky.social in outlining the threats MPs face.
Sadly, as a highly visable, black woman I suspect she has it worse than most. But its pretty much now universal: every MP experiances the same fears
Which raises, as Dawn says, a simply question: why do it?
Sadly, as a highly visable, black woman I suspect she has it worse than most. But its pretty much now universal: every MP experiances the same fears
Which raises, as Dawn says, a simply question: why do it?
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Politico reports that yesterday the Speaker chose an Urgent Question about English whiskey over one about AI risks. Which is more urgent for government to respond to? 🥃🤖
This is an interesting illustration of why there should be more clarity on how decisions about the “urgency” of UQs are made. 🧵
This is an interesting illustration of why there should be more clarity on how decisions about the “urgency” of UQs are made. 🧵
September 16, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Politico reports that yesterday the Speaker chose an Urgent Question about English whiskey over one about AI risks. Which is more urgent for government to respond to? 🥃🤖
This is an interesting illustration of why there should be more clarity on how decisions about the “urgency” of UQs are made. 🧵
This is an interesting illustration of why there should be more clarity on how decisions about the “urgency” of UQs are made. 🧵
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
For political scientists headed to Liverpool for EPOP this week (and anyone else interested!), @bjpols.bsky.social has made a collection of articles available on elections, public opinion and parties free to read...
EPOP collection
EPOP collection
www.cambridge.org
September 14, 2026 at 10:47 AM
For political scientists headed to Liverpool for EPOP this week (and anyone else interested!), @bjpols.bsky.social has made a collection of articles available on elections, public opinion and parties free to read...
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
This - from a psychologist who notes, btw, that "Even professors find making friends anxiety-provoking"- is great. If anyone you know is starting university this week or very soon, do flick it on. It might really help and reassure them.
Why making friends at university feels harder than it really is
We overestimate how much other people notice our own behaviour and any social missteps.
theconversation.com
September 14, 2026 at 6:11 AM
This - from a psychologist who notes, btw, that "Even professors find making friends anxiety-provoking"- is great. If anyone you know is starting university this week or very soon, do flick it on. It might really help and reassure them.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Nerdy observation from the various UK legislatures: they each call the period between one election and another something different. Westminster = a Parliament. Scotland = a Session. Wales = an Assembly. NI = a Mandate.
September 9, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Nerdy observation from the various UK legislatures: they each call the period between one election and another something different. Westminster = a Parliament. Scotland = a Session. Wales = an Assembly. NI = a Mandate.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Ryan Bridge - Founder of "Raise the Colours" flag protests - charged with 14 offences including common assault.
Danny Thomas - ringleader of Dover/Portsmouth thuggery - an ex-con jailed for attempted kidnap at knifepoint.
Almost like they're not "ordinary people with concerns" but criminals.
Danny Thomas - ringleader of Dover/Portsmouth thuggery - an ex-con jailed for attempted kidnap at knifepoint.
Almost like they're not "ordinary people with concerns" but criminals.
September 7, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Ryan Bridge - Founder of "Raise the Colours" flag protests - charged with 14 offences including common assault.
Danny Thomas - ringleader of Dover/Portsmouth thuggery - an ex-con jailed for attempted kidnap at knifepoint.
Almost like they're not "ordinary people with concerns" but criminals.
Danny Thomas - ringleader of Dover/Portsmouth thuggery - an ex-con jailed for attempted kidnap at knifepoint.
Almost like they're not "ordinary people with concerns" but criminals.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
NEW: A survey by @unitetheunion.bsky.social finds that 7 in 10 MPs' staffers have dug into their savings or used credit to cover everyday expenses in the last year as their wages don't stretch far enough.
Some report going without meals or hot showers at home:
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Some report going without meals or hot showers at home:
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
MPs' Staff 'Struggling To Survive' With 'Stagnating' Pay, Union Warns
Parliamentary staffers are being squeezed by stagnating wages, damaging their mental health and forcing many to “cut back on essentials”, according...
www.politicshome.com
September 7, 2026 at 9:19 AM
NEW: A survey by @unitetheunion.bsky.social finds that 7 in 10 MPs' staffers have dug into their savings or used credit to cover everyday expenses in the last year as their wages don't stretch far enough.
Some report going without meals or hot showers at home:
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Some report going without meals or hot showers at home:
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
*PSA Journal Prizes*
🏆️ This year’s John Peterson Prize for the best article published in the British Journal of #Politics and #InternationalRelations goes to “Inside the ‘secret garden’: Candidate selection at the 2019 UK general election”
➡️ Learn more buff.ly/xo072Bg
@bjpir.bsky.social
🏆️ This year’s John Peterson Prize for the best article published in the British Journal of #Politics and #InternationalRelations goes to “Inside the ‘secret garden’: Candidate selection at the 2019 UK general election”
➡️ Learn more buff.ly/xo072Bg
@bjpir.bsky.social
PSA Journal: BJPIR John Peterson Prize 2026 - Political Studies Association
We are delighted to announce the winner of this year’s John Peterson Prize for the best article published in 2025 in the PSA’s British Journal of Politics and International Relations. The winning…
www.psa.ac.uk
September 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM
*PSA Journal Prizes*
🏆️ This year’s John Peterson Prize for the best article published in the British Journal of #Politics and #InternationalRelations goes to “Inside the ‘secret garden’: Candidate selection at the 2019 UK general election”
➡️ Learn more buff.ly/xo072Bg
@bjpir.bsky.social
🏆️ This year’s John Peterson Prize for the best article published in the British Journal of #Politics and #InternationalRelations goes to “Inside the ‘secret garden’: Candidate selection at the 2019 UK general election”
➡️ Learn more buff.ly/xo072Bg
@bjpir.bsky.social
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Every new prime minister gets to celebrate their 50th day in office by restoring Liz Truss's rightful title of 'UK's shortest serving prime minister'.
Congrats, Andy Burnham.
Congrats, Andy Burnham.
September 7, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Every new prime minister gets to celebrate their 50th day in office by restoring Liz Truss's rightful title of 'UK's shortest serving prime minister'.
Congrats, Andy Burnham.
Congrats, Andy Burnham.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
At what point does a British by-election get awarded to the silver medalist, à la Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis? Asking for a friend of a friend, i.e. me. #Clacton
September 3, 2026 at 8:43 PM
At what point does a British by-election get awarded to the silver medalist, à la Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis? Asking for a friend of a friend, i.e. me. #Clacton
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Astonishing if Orr keeps his Cambridge role.
The university's reputation is already damaged - this would be cataclysmic.
The university's reputation is already damaged - this would be cataclysmic.
Is it credible for James Orr to remain an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Divinity at Cambridge?
September 3, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Astonishing if Orr keeps his Cambridge role.
The university's reputation is already damaged - this would be cataclysmic.
The university's reputation is already damaged - this would be cataclysmic.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
"We just don't have British resident donors that would support us ... That's the grim reality".
"The Electoral Commission...are completely useless. They're just so dumb & ineffective".
Some jaw-dropping quotes in this film from senior figures in Reform.
We need updated laws AND proper enforcement
"The Electoral Commission...are completely useless. They're just so dumb & ineffective".
Some jaw-dropping quotes in this film from senior figures in Reform.
We need updated laws AND proper enforcement
Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation.
🔗 Read the exclusive story on Substack:
🔗 Read the exclusive story on Substack:
Exclusive: Nigel Farage filmed undercover celebrating secret new foreign donations
Undercover footage verified by Channel 4 News reveals a secret plot by senior Reform UK figures to break the law on party donations. A leading legal expert is now calling for a criminal investigation.
channel4news.substack.com
September 3, 2026 at 7:09 PM
"We just don't have British resident donors that would support us ... That's the grim reality".
"The Electoral Commission...are completely useless. They're just so dumb & ineffective".
Some jaw-dropping quotes in this film from senior figures in Reform.
We need updated laws AND proper enforcement
"The Electoral Commission...are completely useless. They're just so dumb & ineffective".
Some jaw-dropping quotes in this film from senior figures in Reform.
We need updated laws AND proper enforcement
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
god I'm actually quite gobsmacked by Starmer's decision, it's just so......small, so revealing of his complete and utter lack of interest in Parliament and parliamentary politics, until the very end
September 1, 2026 at 11:43 AM
god I'm actually quite gobsmacked by Starmer's decision, it's just so......small, so revealing of his complete and utter lack of interest in Parliament and parliamentary politics, until the very end
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
As others have noted, Starmer loved to bait Sunak that he would run off to California after the election - which he didn't do. Now Starmer himself is dashing off to focus on "international affairs" instead of Parliament.
September 1, 2026 at 1:23 PM
As others have noted, Starmer loved to bait Sunak that he would run off to California after the election - which he didn't do. Now Starmer himself is dashing off to focus on "international affairs" instead of Parliament.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
![An email:
Hi Parliament,
I came across Parliament and wanted to reach out with a quick idea.
As more people use ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and other AI search tools to discover products and businesses, brand visibility is no longer limited to Google.
I help businesses build visibility […] This includes strategic Reddit/Quora marketing, relevant community participation, and improving the third-party visibility that can support stronger AI search presence over time.
I thought this could be relevant for Perliament.
Would you be open to me sending you a quick overview of how this could work for your brand?](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jumonkqor6xz4n52pgstlrra/bafkreihmmsupbjrgloswggiptrkmzr2yrrfhfbrazdmprewq4bryblt72q)
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
And the results are in. Its hard to describe just how undermining it is to have restructures upon restructures, almost constant VSS & ballooning workloads for everyone as a result of a management class needing to show ‘change’ to move on up to their next position ⬇️
🚨 BREAKING: Staff and PGRs at Sheffield University have voted overwhelmingly to no confidence the whole University executive board and council over their relentless attacks on jobs, pressure at work and a failing restructure project.
August 22, 2026 at 11:45 AM
And the results are in. Its hard to describe just how undermining it is to have restructures upon restructures, almost constant VSS & ballooning workloads for everyone as a result of a management class needing to show ‘change’ to move on up to their next position ⬇️
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
He’s been prime minister for five minutes and he’s already playing with the emergency alert.
August 14, 2026 at 6:03 PM
He’s been prime minister for five minutes and he’s already playing with the emergency alert.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
BLOODY HELL UK GOVERNMENT
August 14, 2026 at 6:02 PM
BLOODY HELL UK GOVERNMENT
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Reform’s electoral record at parliamentary by-elections: win by five votes when the previous Labour MP had literally decked one of his constituents. Lose. Lose. Lose. Lose. Lose. Beat a novelty candidate with no ground game while doing worse than the Tories in the same seat in 2019.
August 14, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Reform’s electoral record at parliamentary by-elections: win by five votes when the previous Labour MP had literally decked one of his constituents. Lose. Lose. Lose. Lose. Lose. Beat a novelty candidate with no ground game while doing worse than the Tories in the same seat in 2019.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
I think what’s most important on exam results day is to talk about yourself to imaginary teenagers who don’t use this website.
August 13, 2026 at 7:49 AM
I think what’s most important on exam results day is to talk about yourself to imaginary teenagers who don’t use this website.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
34 degrees in Leeds today. It should not be 34 degrees in Leeds.
August 13, 2026 at 8:51 AM
34 degrees in Leeds today. It should not be 34 degrees in Leeds.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Journalists attacked with rocks for reporting on racist rioters waging a pogrom whilst calling for refugees to "have their f**king heads chopped off".
These are the "protesters" with "legitimate concerns" we keep on hearing so much about
www.edp24.co.uk/news/2644352...
These are the "protesters" with "legitimate concerns" we keep on hearing so much about
www.edp24.co.uk/news/2644352...
I've been attacked as a journalist twice in a year... I'm just trying to do my job
I was attacked for a second time in a year while covering the Thetford riots, here's what happened and why I'm going back.
www.edp24.co.uk
August 7, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Journalists attacked with rocks for reporting on racist rioters waging a pogrom whilst calling for refugees to "have their f**king heads chopped off".
These are the "protesters" with "legitimate concerns" we keep on hearing so much about
www.edp24.co.uk/news/2644352...
These are the "protesters" with "legitimate concerns" we keep on hearing so much about
www.edp24.co.uk/news/2644352...
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Exactly. Politicians and officials fixate on education because they think they can control it (they can't). But that's just one side of the equation, and a far weaker one. You can't fix supply first, then demand. Has to be demand-led.
New from me:
Britain’s graduate earnings premium is falling, cue “too many go to university!”
But non-university outcomes are also bad, cue “we must reform vocational routes!”
Both miss the point: people used to think education drove economic outcomes, but the economy drives educational outcomes.
Britain’s graduate earnings premium is falling, cue “too many go to university!”
But non-university outcomes are also bad, cue “we must reform vocational routes!”
Both miss the point: people used to think education drove economic outcomes, but the economy drives educational outcomes.
August 7, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Exactly. Politicians and officials fixate on education because they think they can control it (they can't). But that's just one side of the equation, and a far weaker one. You can't fix supply first, then demand. Has to be demand-led.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
The continued political silence over the spread of these anti-migrant, anti-refugee pogroms in the UK is a disgrace.
This one has been going on for three nights in a row now and the Home Secretary and Prime Minister haven't said a single word about it
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
This one has been going on for three nights in a row now and the Home Secretary and Prime Minister haven't said a single word about it
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Norfolk police arrest two men after officers injured during unrest over asylum plans
Homes of people believed to be asylum seekers attacked during two nights of violence in Thetford
www.theguardian.com
August 7, 2026 at 8:48 AM
The continued political silence over the spread of these anti-migrant, anti-refugee pogroms in the UK is a disgrace.
This one has been going on for three nights in a row now and the Home Secretary and Prime Minister haven't said a single word about it
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
This one has been going on for three nights in a row now and the Home Secretary and Prime Minister haven't said a single word about it
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...