Tom Caygill
@tomcaygill.bsky.social
530 followers 250 following 27 posts
Senior Lecturer in Politics, Nottingham Trent University 🎓 | Course Leader - BA (Hons) Politics | Parliament nerd 🤓 | Comms Officer @StudyofParl | Research parliamentary committees & law making 📚
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tomcaygill.bsky.social
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...
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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-...
Academic Fellowship Scheme
www.parliament.scot
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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.
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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.
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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.
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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...
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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.
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 .
media.tenor.com
Reposted by Tom Caygill
estrangeirada.bsky.social
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👇:
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
TODAY | Book launch: 'Exploring Parliament'

Thursday 15 May, 17.30

Join us for this 'Exploring Parliament' launch to hear from an expert panel discussing how parliament works, who works there, and how this institution keeps evolving.

🔗Register:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/book-l...
Banner for an IfG event titled 'Book launch: 'Exploring Parliament' on Thursday 15 May at 17.30-18.30. 

Speakers: 
Professor Nicholas Allen, Professor of Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London
Dr Sean Haughey, Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool
Chloe Mawson, Clerk Assistant at the House of Lords
Dr Rebecca McKee, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
Margaret McKinnon, Director Member and Members’ Staff Services Team at the House of Commons
Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit at University College London (UCL)
The event will be chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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...
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee | Scottish Parliament TV
www.scottishparliament.tv
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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.
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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.
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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.
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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.
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Tom Caygill
ameakin.bsky.social
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... 🧵
The cover of Exploring Parliament Second Edition, showing the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Bridge from across the Thames, at twilight.
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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.
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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...
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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 🎄
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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.
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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.
Reposted by Tom Caygill
studyofparl.bsky.social
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.
tomcaygill.bsky.social
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 👇
tomcaygill.bsky.social
We haven’t set up a Study of Parliament Group Bluesky account (yet)…

So

This year the SPG turned 6⃣0⃣ and we are celebrating with a conference on the 5th & 6th December. Do join us as we celebrate 🥳. For more details of the programme, and the booking form visit our website: tinyurl.com/ymhcszb7
Study of Parliament Group’s 60th Anniversary Conference
Thur 5 Dec 1000–1700, Fri 6 Dec 0900–1600 [Now including draft agenda] The conference will include a range of speakers on topics such as Parliamentary standards, Parliament and the executive, and r…
tinyurl.com