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
I'd like to see the response to this if the question added "if that that means universities have less money to spend on UK students".
With Rachel Reeves reportedly set to apply a new tax on tuition fees paid by overseas students, most Britons support such a move at the previously mooted level of 6%
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
November 24, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I'd like to see the response to this if the question added "if that that means universities have less money to spend on UK students".
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
The second problem with this — after the fact that it will bankrupt a bunch of institutions — is that the government doesn’t seem to know if it wants to a) raise lots of money from intentional students or b) discourage universities from relying on international students. You can’t have both!!
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
November 24, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The second problem with this — after the fact that it will bankrupt a bunch of institutions — is that the government doesn’t seem to know if it wants to a) raise lots of money from intentional students or b) discourage universities from relying on international students. You can’t have both!!
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
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.
See what we uncovered during recent surveys of the Palace as we prepare for its restoration.
November 20, 2025 at 6:51 PM
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.
See what we uncovered during recent surveys of the Palace as we prepare for its restoration.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
📻Dr Alexandra Meakin (@ameakin.bsky.social) told BBC Radio’s Matt Chorley that delaying essential repairs to the Palace of Westminster risks safety, pressing for urgent action despite rising costs.
Clip begins at 51:10
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Clip begins at 51:10
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Matt Chorley - Do It Yourself - BBC Sounds
The government's new asylum strategy, Americast and will parliament ever get renovated?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 10:01 AM
📻Dr Alexandra Meakin (@ameakin.bsky.social) told BBC Radio’s Matt Chorley that delaying essential repairs to the Palace of Westminster risks safety, pressing for urgent action despite rising costs.
Clip begins at 51:10
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Clip begins at 51:10
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
This week is Road Safety Week & a chance to talk about Barbara Castle!
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
November 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
This week is Road Safety Week & a chance to talk about Barbara Castle!
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
NEW BLOG: Assessing the House of Commons Backbench Business Committee 15 years on
Unit Director Meg Russell and Hannah Kelly argue changes are needed to get back to the Wright Committee’s vision of it helping facilitate a more responsive and independent House of Commons.
Unit Director Meg Russell and Hannah Kelly argue changes are needed to get back to the Wright Committee’s vision of it helping facilitate a more responsive and independent House of Commons.
Assessing the House of Commons Backbench Business Committee 15 years on
Unit Director Meg Russell and Hannah Kelly argue changes are needed to get back to the Wright Committee’s vision of it helping facilitate a more responsive and independent House of Commons.
constitution-unit.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:01 AM
NEW BLOG: Assessing the House of Commons Backbench Business Committee 15 years on
Unit Director Meg Russell and Hannah Kelly argue changes are needed to get back to the Wright Committee’s vision of it helping facilitate a more responsive and independent House of Commons.
Unit Director Meg Russell and Hannah Kelly argue changes are needed to get back to the Wright Committee’s vision of it helping facilitate a more responsive and independent House of Commons.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
📰 Westminster marks 10 years of e-petitions with keynote by Professor Leston-Bandeira
🔗 Read more here: essl.leeds.ac.uk/politics/new...
🔗 Read more here: essl.leeds.ac.uk/politics/new...
Westminster marks 10 years of e-petitions with keynote by Professor Leston-Bandeira
Professor Leston-Bandeira gives keynote speech in Westminster on the 10th anniversary of e-petitions to Parliament.
essl.leeds.ac.uk
November 18, 2025 at 3:20 PM
📰 Westminster marks 10 years of e-petitions with keynote by Professor Leston-Bandeira
🔗 Read more here: essl.leeds.ac.uk/politics/new...
🔗 Read more here: essl.leeds.ac.uk/politics/new...
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
A reminder that @randr-answers.bsky.social posts ever time the Restoration and Renewal Client Board provide a written answer to a parliamentary question.
It is not a noisy account.
It is not a noisy account.
November 15, 2025 at 1:53 PM
A reminder that @randr-answers.bsky.social posts ever time the Restoration and Renewal Client Board provide a written answer to a parliamentary question.
It is not a noisy account.
It is not a noisy account.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
So depressing. Scared to take a decision because of the sums involved, when it’s costing £1.56m a week in maintenance? It was clear years ago that a full decant would be quickest, cheapest & easiest way to do the urgent necessary work to this much-loved building. Some just don’t want to move out
EXCL:
Final decision on restoring the Palace of Westminster will be delayed until 2030s
MPs were expected to vote by the end of 2025 on a way forward for fixing the crumbling parliament, but that now won't happen
Story w/@danbloom1.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/fina...
Final decision on restoring the Palace of Westminster will be delayed until 2030s
MPs were expected to vote by the end of 2025 on a way forward for fixing the crumbling parliament, but that now won't happen
Story w/@danbloom1.bsky.social
www.politico.eu/article/fina...
Final decision on fate of crumbling UK parliament delayed to 2030s
It’s a fire-hazard that’s prone to tumbling masonry — but fear of a public backlash is again delaying repairs to the world famous building.
www.politico.eu
November 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
So depressing. Scared to take a decision because of the sums involved, when it’s costing £1.56m a week in maintenance? It was clear years ago that a full decant would be quickest, cheapest & easiest way to do the urgent necessary work to this much-loved building. Some just don’t want to move out
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Imagining @ameakin.bsky.social being lead into a TV studio at the age of 80, muttering Jesus wept lads, and heading to the pub
November 15, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Imagining @ameakin.bsky.social being lead into a TV studio at the age of 80, muttering Jesus wept lads, and heading to the pub
As always the brilliant @estwebber.bsky.social is on top of the latest R&R delays - my lack of surprise is set out in the article... www.politico.eu/article/fina...
Final decision on fate of crumbling UK parliament delayed to 2030s
It’s a fire-hazard that’s prone to tumbling masonry — but fear of a public backlash is again delaying repairs to the world famous building.
www.politico.eu
November 15, 2025 at 1:51 PM
As always the brilliant @estwebber.bsky.social is on top of the latest R&R delays - my lack of surprise is set out in the article... www.politico.eu/article/fina...
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Quite literally peak House of Lords
NEW: 942 amendments have been laid down in the House of Lords ahead of the Assisted Dying Bill's committee stage in the chamber, which starts tomorrow.
This is believed to be a record for a bill at committee stage. It's going to be an intense debate.
This is believed to be a record for a bill at committee stage. It's going to be an intense debate.
November 13, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Quite literally peak House of Lords
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of Dr Alan Whitehead CBE as Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Alan did the shadow ministerial portfolio for 8 years before the election!
Alan did the shadow ministerial portfolio for 8 years before the election!
Appointment: 11 November 2025
The King has been pleased to approve the following appointment.
www.gov.uk
November 11, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of Dr Alan Whitehead CBE as Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Alan did the shadow ministerial portfolio for 8 years before the election!
Alan did the shadow ministerial portfolio for 8 years before the election!
This is brilliant news! Congratulations @ckskm.bsky.social - what a fantastic first female Clerk of the Parliaments!
Chloe Mawson has been appointed the 66th Clerk of the Parliaments and is the first woman to take up the post.
The Clerk of the Parliaments is head of the House of Lords Administration and Chief Procedural Adviser to the House.
The Clerk of the Parliaments is head of the House of Lords Administration and Chief Procedural Adviser to the House.
November 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
This is brilliant news! Congratulations @ckskm.bsky.social - what a fantastic first female Clerk of the Parliaments!
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
I think its now got to be the case that respectable people should just refuse to appear on panels with Goodwin, even if that means cancelling on the BBC at short notice.
We're now at "black people aren't British". Open sewer racism. Look forward to seeing him on QT again soon.
November 2, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I think its now got to be the case that respectable people should just refuse to appear on panels with Goodwin, even if that means cancelling on the BBC at short notice.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
👋 Come and join my team! I’m looking for a new Caseworker and Constituency Support Assistant, to be based at my constituency office in Reading.
If you’re interested, check out the full job description on my website: yuanyangmp.org/vacancies/
If you’re interested, check out the full job description on my website: yuanyangmp.org/vacancies/
Vacancies – Yuan Yang MP
yuanyangmp.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:12 PM
👋 Come and join my team! I’m looking for a new Caseworker and Constituency Support Assistant, to be based at my constituency office in Reading.
If you’re interested, check out the full job description on my website: yuanyangmp.org/vacancies/
If you’re interested, check out the full job description on my website: yuanyangmp.org/vacancies/
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
rain in October in London
October 20, 2025 at 4:45 PM
rain in October in London
Thanks to @ringwiss.bsky.social for the heads up that this year's Parliament Christmas jumper is an absolute stunner 😍 www.shop.parliament.uk/products/big...
October 17, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Thanks to @ringwiss.bsky.social for the heads up that this year's Parliament Christmas jumper is an absolute stunner 😍 www.shop.parliament.uk/products/big...
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
📣 We are very excited for this year’s @psa-parliaments.bsky.social annual conference taking place at the University of York!
📝 More details and registration:
psaparliaments.org/annual-confe...
📝 More details and registration:
psaparliaments.org/annual-confe...
October 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
📣 We are very excited for this year’s @psa-parliaments.bsky.social annual conference taking place at the University of York!
📝 More details and registration:
psaparliaments.org/annual-confe...
📝 More details and registration:
psaparliaments.org/annual-confe...
Love an R&R shout out on the @hansardsociety.bsky.social Parliament Matters pod - and completely agree with @ruthfox.bsky.social & @darcyxtip.bsky.social about the prospect of getting the promised vote before the end of 2025. Listen/transcript www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam... #WestminsterRR
![Ruth Fox: Yeah and just going back to that question of the state of the public finances, I'm gonna speculate that one decision that will not be made probably by Parliament, before Christmas, but really ought to be is the future of the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster. Again, another theme that we keep revisiting. We have been told in statement after statement that a vote will be held on the future of the restoration and renewal program, and whether or not MPs and peers are going to leave the Palace of Westminster to enable the refurbishment work to take place over a number of years or not, or whether there'll be a partial decant, the Lords will move out and the Commons will move into the Lords. So a number of different scenarios are in play. We are promised that there will be a report and a vote by the end of this year. But given that the leader of the House of [00:37:00] Commons and a key figure on the restoration and renewal governance side has recently changed, of course, once Lucy Powell was removed from cabinet and replaced by the then Chief Whip Officer Alan Campbell. I do rather think that, that again could be kicked into the long grass a bit further.
Mark D'Arcy: It's one of these things where they keep promising there'll be a debate in due course and a report in due course, and then it doesn't appear and it's just kicked, as you say, further and further into the long grass.
And in the meantime, the Palace of Westminster is essentially being held together with spit and sawdust and running repairs. And there's a risk of fire or some structural collapse and bits of gargoyle falling on people, sewers, whatever it might be, breaking, the sewers bubbling up. I would say that that turns the place into a living metaphor and all sorts of disasters could befall it.
And of course, when you have the state opening of Parliament, just imagine what would happen if the lights went out in the middle of that, leaving His Majesty stranded in darkness as …](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wqg5mu5hw5q55lofaod6u32s/bafkreicabblezucuqrjq3mwa3jkvmepvucn3vckvcldwwdar7dnrlxwep4@jpeg)
October 17, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Love an R&R shout out on the @hansardsociety.bsky.social Parliament Matters pod - and completely agree with @ruthfox.bsky.social & @darcyxtip.bsky.social about the prospect of getting the promised vote before the end of 2025. Listen/transcript www.hansardsociety.org.uk/news/parliam... #WestminsterRR
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
And yet a reasonable chance that those 24 years will prove to have been faster than the current restoration and renewal process
The medieval Palace of Westminster burned today in 1834. Turner was on hand to paint it.
The replacement building was supposed to cost £710,000 and take 6 years
It cost £2.4 million and took 24 years.
With a decade of snagging.
The replacement building was supposed to cost £710,000 and take 6 years
It cost £2.4 million and took 24 years.
With a decade of snagging.
October 16, 2025 at 8:56 PM
And yet a reasonable chance that those 24 years will prove to have been faster than the current restoration and renewal process
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Four years ago today, we lost Sir David Amess — a dedicated MP and a kind, generous man.
There can be no place for violence or hatred in our democracy.
We remember his service, his warmth, and his commitment to others. 💙
#SirDavidAmess #PublicService #NoPlaceForViolence
There can be no place for violence or hatred in our democracy.
We remember his service, his warmth, and his commitment to others. 💙
#SirDavidAmess #PublicService #NoPlaceForViolence
October 15, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Four years ago today, we lost Sir David Amess — a dedicated MP and a kind, generous man.
There can be no place for violence or hatred in our democracy.
We remember his service, his warmth, and his commitment to others. 💙
#SirDavidAmess #PublicService #NoPlaceForViolence
There can be no place for violence or hatred in our democracy.
We remember his service, his warmth, and his commitment to others. 💙
#SirDavidAmess #PublicService #NoPlaceForViolence
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
The History of Parliament team were very sad to hear of the recent death of Professor Michael Rush.
A pioneering scholar of parliament, Professor Rush's work on the social background of MPs and resulting Database stands as a fundamental source for generations of historians and political scientists.
A pioneering scholar of parliament, Professor Rush's work on the social background of MPs and resulting Database stands as a fundamental source for generations of historians and political scientists.
October 15, 2025 at 10:01 AM
The History of Parliament team were very sad to hear of the recent death of Professor Michael Rush.
A pioneering scholar of parliament, Professor Rush's work on the social background of MPs and resulting Database stands as a fundamental source for generations of historians and political scientists.
A pioneering scholar of parliament, Professor Rush's work on the social background of MPs and resulting Database stands as a fundamental source for generations of historians and political scientists.
Reposted by Alexandra Meakin
Michael Rush and the Database historyofparliament.com/2025/10/15/m...
Michael Rush and the Database - The History of Parliament
We were sad to hear recently of the death of Professor Michael Rush of the University of Exeter. Michael was a pioneering and indefatigable scholar of
historyofparliament.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Michael Rush and the Database historyofparliament.com/2025/10/15/m...