John Curtis
@johncurtis.bsky.social
Senior Researcher/Clerk at the House of Commons Library, researching Asia, Americas and the NI Protocol. War Studies alumnus. Follow for tepid takes on uncontroversial subjects.
Reposted by John Curtis
When the House sits late, the Commons library stays open 📚
On Monday nights, library services are available to MPs and their staff, long after the sun sets. Follow John for a quick tour of one of Parliament's key services.
On Monday nights, library services are available to MPs and their staff, long after the sun sets. Follow John for a quick tour of one of Parliament's key services.
October 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
When the House sits late, the Commons library stays open 📚
On Monday nights, library services are available to MPs and their staff, long after the sun sets. Follow John for a quick tour of one of Parliament's key services.
On Monday nights, library services are available to MPs and their staff, long after the sun sets. Follow John for a quick tour of one of Parliament's key services.
I put together a short briefing with David Torrance on state visits to the UK. Found out a few interesting nuggets while researching it
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
State visits to the UK
What are state visits? Who decides who is invited? Who pays the costs? What is the format of a state visit? Do they always include addresses to Parliament?
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
September 17, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I put together a short briefing with David Torrance on state visits to the UK. Found out a few interesting nuggets while researching it
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Extending a session does bring issues, such as needing to add extra Opposition Days and days for consideration of Private Members’ Bills, which are fixed at 20 and 13 per session, respectively. Though the Government isn’t obliged to do so.
All 13 PMB days have been used this session.
All 13 PMB days have been used this session.
NEW: The government has announced that this session of parliament will last until spring 2026. Among other things, that means that the assisted dying bill has another 7-8 months to complete its passage through the Lords, increasingly the likelihood of it becoming law.
August 28, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Extending a session does bring issues, such as needing to add extra Opposition Days and days for consideration of Private Members’ Bills, which are fixed at 20 and 13 per session, respectively. Though the Government isn’t obliged to do so.
All 13 PMB days have been used this session.
All 13 PMB days have been used this session.
Reposted by John Curtis
NEW: The government has announced that this session of parliament will last until spring 2026. Among other things, that means that the assisted dying bill has another 7-8 months to complete its passage through the Lords, increasingly the likelihood of it becoming law.
August 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM
NEW: The government has announced that this session of parliament will last until spring 2026. Among other things, that means that the assisted dying bill has another 7-8 months to complete its passage through the Lords, increasingly the likelihood of it becoming law.
The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee published its first report of the session today on the ‘Israel-Palestine conflict’.
One of their recommendations is that the UK Government “should now recognise the state of Palestine” (though it divided on this issue)
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
One of their recommendations is that the UK Government “should now recognise the state of Palestine” (though it divided on this issue)
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
July 25, 2025 at 9:35 AM
The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee published its first report of the session today on the ‘Israel-Palestine conflict’.
One of their recommendations is that the UK Government “should now recognise the state of Palestine” (though it divided on this issue)
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
One of their recommendations is that the UK Government “should now recognise the state of Palestine” (though it divided on this issue)
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
The US State Department has not published its annual country human rights reports which are usually put out in Spring. The FCDO have not published their annual human rights report in two years.
I would just like me some good up to date official sources for this stuff.
I would just like me some good up to date official sources for this stuff.
July 15, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The US State Department has not published its annual country human rights reports which are usually put out in Spring. The FCDO have not published their annual human rights report in two years.
I would just like me some good up to date official sources for this stuff.
I would just like me some good up to date official sources for this stuff.
My Reception year teacher was still using ITA in 1989! And it caused me difficulties reading as I’d already learned to read using the normal alphabet before I started school. Thankfully, a new headteacher came in and made her stop using it www.theguardian.com/education/20...
The radical 1960s schools experiment that created a whole new alphabet – and left thousands of children unable to spell
Decades ago, a generation of UK schoolchildren unwittingly took part in an initiative aimed at boosting reading skills – with lasting consequences
www.theguardian.com
July 7, 2025 at 3:24 PM
My Reception year teacher was still using ITA in 1989! And it caused me difficulties reading as I’d already learned to read using the normal alphabet before I started school. Thankfully, a new headteacher came in and made her stop using it www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Realised that the only cold drinks in my fridge currently are non-alcoholic beers. Would feel rather wrong to drink them whilst working during the middle of the day however…
June 20, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Realised that the only cold drinks in my fridge currently are non-alcoholic beers. Would feel rather wrong to drink them whilst working during the middle of the day however…
We published a briefing on Iran’s nuclear programme and the ongoing Israeli-Iranian military strikes
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Israel-Iran 2025: Developments in Iran's nuclear programme and military action
On 13 June 2025, Israel launched a series of attacks against Iran’s nuclear programme.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
June 17, 2025 at 11:32 PM
We published a briefing on Iran’s nuclear programme and the ongoing Israeli-Iranian military strikes
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
EU-UK agreement on Gibraltar reached (at political level, full legal text to come)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
UK-EU Agreement in Respect of Gibraltar: Joint statement
A joint statement from the UK, European Commission, Spain and Gibraltar following talks today (11 June) in Brussels.
www.gov.uk
June 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM
EU-UK agreement on Gibraltar reached (at political level, full legal text to come)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Think this is the first time I’ve gone to a Chatham House event with protestors outside. Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s effective Prime Minister, is speaking at 11
June 11, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Think this is the first time I’ve gone to a Chatham House event with protestors outside. Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s effective Prime Minister, is speaking at 11
Defence Secretary will make a statement to the House of Commons on the Strategic Defence Review around 3.30 pm
First opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny
Our FAQ’s briefing gives the background and links to several others that give the context
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
First opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny
Our FAQ’s briefing gives the background and links to several others that give the context
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
The forthcoming strategic defence review 2025: FAQ
The government will publish a strategic defence review in 2025, considering threats to the UK and how to meet them. What do we know about it so far?
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
June 2, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Defence Secretary will make a statement to the House of Commons on the Strategic Defence Review around 3.30 pm
First opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny
Our FAQ’s briefing gives the background and links to several others that give the context
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
First opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny
Our FAQ’s briefing gives the background and links to several others that give the context
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
I published a briefing on Friday on the latest military confrontation between India & Pakistan over Kashmir.
It also looks at the origins of the Kashmir dispute, international reaction to the current crisis, and analysis of how it escalated
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
It also looks at the origins of the Kashmir dispute, international reaction to the current crisis, and analysis of how it escalated
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Kashmir: Renewed India-Pakistan tensions
This briefing looks at the May 2025 military confrontation between India and Pakistan, sparked by the Pahalgam attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir in April 2025. It explores the historical basis fo...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
May 18, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I published a briefing on Friday on the latest military confrontation between India & Pakistan over Kashmir.
It also looks at the origins of the Kashmir dispute, international reaction to the current crisis, and analysis of how it escalated
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
It also looks at the origins of the Kashmir dispute, international reaction to the current crisis, and analysis of how it escalated
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
You wait months for a trade deal then two come along at once…. Urgent Question on US-UK trade agreement scheduled then withdrawn- now we have a government statement on “trade negotiations”, suggesting agreement, at least in principle, has been reached
May 8, 2025 at 9:49 AM
You wait months for a trade deal then two come along at once…. Urgent Question on US-UK trade agreement scheduled then withdrawn- now we have a government statement on “trade negotiations”, suggesting agreement, at least in principle, has been reached
My only advice on the ongoing India-Pakistan military crisis is to take any claims by either military to the media with a large shovel of salt at first.
May 6, 2025 at 10:20 PM
My only advice on the ongoing India-Pakistan military crisis is to take any claims by either military to the media with a large shovel of salt at first.
Those wanting to know more about the newly announced India-UK trade agreement may want to tune into Douglas Alexander’s urgent statement to the House of Commons, which should start around 4.15/4.30.
May 6, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Those wanting to know more about the newly announced India-UK trade agreement may want to tune into Douglas Alexander’s urgent statement to the House of Commons, which should start around 4.15/4.30.
Is there a more appreciated meal than a McDonalds after post-work drinks?
April 30, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Is there a more appreciated meal than a McDonalds after post-work drinks?
Reposted by John Curtis
Today, the House of Lords International Agreements Committee published some evidence on treaty scrutiny that I jointly wrote with @hhesterm.bsky.social
committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
(Short 🧵)
committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
(Short 🧵)
committees.parliament.uk
April 23, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Today, the House of Lords International Agreements Committee published some evidence on treaty scrutiny that I jointly wrote with @hhesterm.bsky.social
committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
(Short 🧵)
committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
(Short 🧵)
Ahead of the recall of parliament my colleague Ilze has published a briefing on the UK steel industry.
Impressive work
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Impressive work
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
UK steel industry: statistics and policy
The UK steel industry: a statistical summary of the UK and international industry; analysis of current prospects and challenges; summary of government policy.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
April 11, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Ahead of the recall of parliament my colleague Ilze has published a briefing on the UK steel industry.
Impressive work
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Impressive work
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Reposted by John Curtis
Next month (19 May) the UK will host a first 'EU-UK Summit', a major moment in UK government's desired 're-set' to relations
For background, @stefanofella.bsky.social has produced a very useful research briefing for House of Commons Library
researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CB...
For background, @stefanofella.bsky.social has produced a very useful research briefing for House of Commons Library
researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CB...
April 10, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Next month (19 May) the UK will host a first 'EU-UK Summit', a major moment in UK government's desired 're-set' to relations
For background, @stefanofella.bsky.social has produced a very useful research briefing for House of Commons Library
researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CB...
For background, @stefanofella.bsky.social has produced a very useful research briefing for House of Commons Library
researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CB...
Published a briefing yesterday on Myanmar’s civil war, including the effects of the March earthquake
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Myanmar's civil war
Myanmar’s civil war is ongoing. This Commons Library research briefing sets out the conflict’s origins, current state of the conflict, and the UK and international response. It also covers the effects...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
April 10, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Published a briefing yesterday on Myanmar’s civil war, including the effects of the March earthquake
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
They’re letting Barry Keoghan have another go at a Merseyside accent?
April 6, 2025 at 11:07 PM
They’re letting Barry Keoghan have another go at a Merseyside accent?
The Government's new legislation to change guidelines on sentencing: the Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill, will have its second reading on 22 April, and all other Commons' stages on 30 April.
April 3, 2025 at 1:06 PM
The Government's new legislation to change guidelines on sentencing: the Sentencing Guidelines (Pre-sentence Reports) Bill, will have its second reading on 22 April, and all other Commons' stages on 30 April.
A bit late to this, but I note that the Government announced yesterday that the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme will go live on 1 July, and Iran and Russia, will be added to the enhanced tier, but not China.
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Foreign Influence Registration Scheme implementation
Government announces the implementation of regulations of Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, specifying Russia under the enhanced tier.
www.gov.uk
April 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
A bit late to this, but I note that the Government announced yesterday that the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme will go live on 1 July, and Iran and Russia, will be added to the enhanced tier, but not China.
www.gov.uk/government/s...
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Reposted by John Curtis
1) NEW REPORT 🚨
'Reform of Stormont: Options for Discussion' was published by the @conunitucl.bsky.social today! Co-authored by @alanrenwick.bsky.social, @alanwhysall.bsky.social, and myself.
It is free to read here: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution...
'Reform of Stormont: Options for Discussion' was published by the @conunitucl.bsky.social today! Co-authored by @alanrenwick.bsky.social, @alanwhysall.bsky.social, and myself.
It is free to read here: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution...
Reform of Stormont
A project exploring possible reforms to Northern Ireland's governing institutions, as an aid to further discussion.
www.ucl.ac.uk
March 28, 2025 at 8:32 AM
1) NEW REPORT 🚨
'Reform of Stormont: Options for Discussion' was published by the @conunitucl.bsky.social today! Co-authored by @alanrenwick.bsky.social, @alanwhysall.bsky.social, and myself.
It is free to read here: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution...
'Reform of Stormont: Options for Discussion' was published by the @conunitucl.bsky.social today! Co-authored by @alanrenwick.bsky.social, @alanwhysall.bsky.social, and myself.
It is free to read here: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution...