Tom Caygill

It definitely stands out!

I’m thrilled to share that my new book on the UK Parliament has officially gone into production, with publication planned for October.

The book offers a “critical friend” perspective — recognising Parliament’s strengths while examining the challenges rooted in its historical development.

More soon

Huge thanks to the Centre for Policy, Citizenship and Society at NTU & the @britishacademy.bsky.social for funding the research. Thanks also to SPICe for providing a supportive research environment. I can’t recommend their academic fellowship scheme highly enough www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-...

A recent survey of MSPs and officials confirms growing support, while also highlighting ongoing challenges like time and capacity. Overall, this strategic focus has successfully encouraged broader participation and innovation in post-legislative scrutiny.

These innovations, now documented in case studies, show how flexible, meaningful, and replicable methods can make PLS a routine part of parliamentary activity. Notably, public engagement has helped bring life to what can often be seen as a technical process.

During Session 6, post-legislative scrutiny was elevated to a strategic priority by the Conveners Group—leading to 8 full inquiries and 5 innovative approaches by committees to embed scrutiny into their work.

My time as an academic fellow with Scottish Parliament Information Centre is coming to an end and I’m delighted to share my final briefing evaluating the PLS undertaken by Scottish Parliament during the current session. Briefing available here: digitalpublications.parliament.scot/ResearchBrie...

a man in a suit and tie is talking about what on earth is going on in the house of commons . ALT: a man in a suit and tie is talking about what on earth is going on in the house of commons .

Each year I ask my parliamentary studies students to complete policy briefings on parliamentary reform. I enjoy getting to find out what their pet peeves are and what aspect of parliament caught their attention. Lots of issues identified and interesting recommendations promoted.

Big day today! The launch of 'Exploring Parliament' - really looking forward to catch up with other authors and celebrate the book. Thank you to the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk for hosting us and to @studyofparl.bsky.social for sponsoring the launch. You can still register online👇:

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee | Scottish Parliament TV

For anyone with a particular interest in the Scottish Parliament and its committees, you can watch the evidence session back here: www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/stan...

We covered: what is unique about the parliament; how we prioritise what the public wants from scrutiny; how important the culture of committees are; the remit of committees; workload and programme management; types of recommendations & the role of convenors.

Grateful to the Standards, Procedure and Public Appointments Committee of the Scottish Parliament for inviting me to give oral evidence as part of their committee effectiveness inquiry. My evidence was based on the findings of my academic fellowship on post-legislative scrutiny.

I also provided an overview of the practice of PLS in the UK Parliament and what we can learn from Westminster’s experience. We were then joined by Baroness Barker and her clerk to discuss the recent PLS work of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 Committee.

This afternoon I had the pleasure of addressing a Westminster Foundation Democracy & Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office parliamentary delegation from the National Assembly of Laos, on the subject of post-legislative scrutiny (PLS). We discussed what PLS is and why it’s important.

A new edition of Exploring Parliament is out! I’m grateful to have been asked to contribute to the latest edition (in true form, on post-legislative scrutiny) alongside many other esteemed colleagues. Congratulations to @estrangeirada.bsky.social, @louisevthompson.bsky.social & @ameakin.bsky.social

New leading textbook on parliament published The Constitution Unit’s Meg Russell and Ruxandra Serban, alongside various fellows and honorary staff, are among the 73 contributors to the second edition of Exploring Parliament.

Meg Russell, @ruxandrasrbn.bsky.social and various Constitution Unit fellows and honorary staff are among the 73 contributors to a new textbook on parliament.

Exploring Parliament is edited by @estrangeirada.bsky.social, @ameakin.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social.

Find out more 👇

The cover of Exploring Parliament Second Edition, showing the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Bridge from across the Thames, at twilight.

So, so proud of this book! It was an honour to be asked by @estrangeirada.bsky.social & @louisevthompson.bsky.social to join the editing team and work with 70+ incredible practitioners & academics who shared their expertise for the benefit of students of Parliament: global.oup.com/ukhe/product... 🧵

We were in a different kind of classroom for my citizenship and participation module this afternoon. We are hugely grateful to Brian and Tom for showing us round Nottingham Council House and to Jon, Nigel and Cllr AJ Matsiko for speaking to us about the politics of Nottingham.

Early start for the @studyofparl.bsky.social Annual Weekend

a man in a suit and tie is sitting at a desk with his hand on his face . ALT: a man in a suit and tie is sitting at a desk with his hand on his face .

Ah we’re now at the annual Christmas Eve tradition of trying not to fall asleep before midnight mass 🎄✨

I am very much looking forward to speaking at this week’s @WFD_Democracy PLS Clinic. I’ll be speaking to my on-going research in the Scottish Parliament on their approach to post-legislative scrutiny

📅 Fri, 13 Dec 2024
⏲️ 9-10am (UK time)

Register now: wfd.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Study of Parliament Group’s 60th Anniversary Conference Thur 5 Dec 1000–1700, Fri 6 Dec 0900–1600 [As at 3 December 2024] The conference will include a range of speakers on topics such as Parliamentary standards, Parliament and the executive, and reform…

Our 60th Anniversary Conference kicks off today. We have panels on parliament and the executive & the membership of both Houses 🟢🔴

We are also hosting a live recording of the Parliament Matters podcast w/ @ruthfox.bsky.social and @darcyxtip.bsky.social 🎙️

studyofparliamentgroup.org/2024/10/09/s...

This afternoon we held our annual Christmas quiz for our politics, international relations and sociology students. Massive thanks to Revolution Bar Nottingham for their superb hosting again. Many drinks vouchers were utilised and lots of pizza was eaten 🎄

Always a pleasure to be in Westminster. It was rather nostalgic being back in Portcullis House and walking under the arches from the Palace. Takes me back to the placement year of the UG degree.

Thanks for inviting me! It was a great discussion about the role of MPs, with excellent questions from the audience. Always a pleasure to be in the company of fellow politics and parliament nerds.

Hello 👋 - to our members and followers who are also here 🦋, having left the other place.

We didn’t want to lose touch with you all.

We will be utilising both our X and 🦋 accounts for the foreseeable future.

There is still time to sign up for the Study of Parliament Group’ 60th Anniversary Conference on the 5th and 6th December. Full details of the programme and the booking link can be found on the website 👇

En-route back to Nottingham after a successful Christmas shopping trip to York with our students. It’s become a popular annual event and an opportunity for a break as we head into end of term assessments 🎄🎁🎅🏻

You can now follow the Hansard Society's starter pack below.

The pack includes academics, researchers, and practitioners with insights about parliaments and legislatures and the issues we discuss each week on our Parliament Matters Podcast.

go.bsky.app/TzkXFzP

This will be a very interesting conference, looking back over all things parliament over 60 years, and looking forward.

Our Director, Meg Russell, will be chairing a panel on representation in the two chambers, with @profrosiecamp.bsky.social and others. Do sign up!

bsky.app/profile/tomc...