The (Un)usual Channels
@theunusualchannels.bsky.social
Legislative nerd. Send help.
The summer is here, long sunny days call for one thing - staying inside and reading about #legislative matters. Any good recommendations for #legislation or #parliamentary books for holiday reading?
June 27, 2025 at 8:25 PM
The summer is here, long sunny days call for one thing - staying inside and reading about #legislative matters. Any good recommendations for #legislation or #parliamentary books for holiday reading?
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🚨 Assembly Order Paper for Tue 6 May
- Public petition from Nuala McAllister
- Executive motions from Justice, Finance and Communities Ministers
- Question Time: DAERA
- Private member motions from UUP and Sinn Fein
- Adjournment debate from Matthew O'Toole
- Public petition from Nuala McAllister
- Executive motions from Justice, Finance and Communities Ministers
- Question Time: DAERA
- Private member motions from UUP and Sinn Fein
- Adjournment debate from Matthew O'Toole
May 5, 2025 at 7:03 PM
🚨 Assembly Order Paper for Tue 6 May
- Public petition from Nuala McAllister
- Executive motions from Justice, Finance and Communities Ministers
- Question Time: DAERA
- Private member motions from UUP and Sinn Fein
- Adjournment debate from Matthew O'Toole
- Public petition from Nuala McAllister
- Executive motions from Justice, Finance and Communities Ministers
- Question Time: DAERA
- Private member motions from UUP and Sinn Fein
- Adjournment debate from Matthew O'Toole
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NEW BLOG: How has Keir Starmer changed Prime Minister’s Questions?
Keir Starmer has used his opening answer at PMQs very differently from his predecessors. @ruxandrasrbn.bsky.social & Tom Fleming explore how his approach to opening PMQs compares to that of other Prime Ministers.
Keir Starmer has used his opening answer at PMQs very differently from his predecessors. @ruxandrasrbn.bsky.social & Tom Fleming explore how his approach to opening PMQs compares to that of other Prime Ministers.
How has Keir Starmer changed Prime Minister’s Questions?
Ruxandra Serban and Tom Fleming explore how Starmer’s approach to opening PMQs compares to that of other post-1997 Prime Ministers.
constitution-unit.com
April 23, 2025 at 5:05 AM
NEW BLOG: How has Keir Starmer changed Prime Minister’s Questions?
Keir Starmer has used his opening answer at PMQs very differently from his predecessors. @ruxandrasrbn.bsky.social & Tom Fleming explore how his approach to opening PMQs compares to that of other Prime Ministers.
Keir Starmer has used his opening answer at PMQs very differently from his predecessors. @ruxandrasrbn.bsky.social & Tom Fleming explore how his approach to opening PMQs compares to that of other Prime Ministers.
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Why do the law officers often refuse to answer questions in parliamentary proceedings?
They’re not just being evasive. Confidentiality encourages legal advice properly to be taken in the first place.
Learn more here ⤵️
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/im-afraid-if...
They’re not just being evasive. Confidentiality encourages legal advice properly to be taken in the first place.
Learn more here ⤵️
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/im-afraid-if...
“I’m afraid if I told you that…”: The law officers’ convention
The law officers’ convention ensures that government ministers do not need to disclose if they have sought legal advice from their senior legal advisers.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
February 14, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Why do the law officers often refuse to answer questions in parliamentary proceedings?
They’re not just being evasive. Confidentiality encourages legal advice properly to be taken in the first place.
Learn more here ⤵️
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/im-afraid-if...
They’re not just being evasive. Confidentiality encourages legal advice properly to be taken in the first place.
Learn more here ⤵️
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/im-afraid-if...
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Funded PhD opportunity with the University of Sheffield and the History of Parliament on Irish MPs in the 19th century House of Commons. Application deadline 5 March 2025. For further details, see the links here: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2025/02/04/n...
NEW PhD Studentship on Irish MPs available
The University of Sheffield and the History of Parliament are offering a fully-paid PhD studentship on Irish MPs in the Victorian Commons. Deadline for applications: 5 March 2025. Full details of t…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
February 4, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Funded PhD opportunity with the University of Sheffield and the History of Parliament on Irish MPs in the 19th century House of Commons. Application deadline 5 March 2025. For further details, see the links here: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2025/02/04/n...
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What problems are there with the legislative process? Have they got worse? And what can be done to fix them?
Join Meg Russell, David Natzler and @danielgover.bsky.social to discuss just this on 24 February.
Sign up for this free, online event 👇
Join Meg Russell, David Natzler and @danielgover.bsky.social to discuss just this on 24 February.
Sign up for this free, online event 👇
Improving parliamentary scrutiny of legislation
An expert panel discusses how to improve the UK parliament’s scrutiny of legislation.
www.ucl.ac.uk
January 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
What problems are there with the legislative process? Have they got worse? And what can be done to fix them?
Join Meg Russell, David Natzler and @danielgover.bsky.social to discuss just this on 24 February.
Sign up for this free, online event 👇
Join Meg Russell, David Natzler and @danielgover.bsky.social to discuss just this on 24 February.
Sign up for this free, online event 👇
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Like in the rest of the United Kingdom, the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland conducted a First Periodic Review for implementation in 1955, but it recommended no changes to Northern Ireland's constituencies.
January 24, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Like in the rest of the United Kingdom, the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland conducted a First Periodic Review for implementation in 1955, but it recommended no changes to Northern Ireland's constituencies.
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Forty years ago today, regular proceedings from @ukparliament.parliament.uk were televised for the first time. Cameras were admitted to the Lords chamber to broadcast questions and a debate on the economy on BBC One and BBC Two.
January 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Forty years ago today, regular proceedings from @ukparliament.parliament.uk were televised for the first time. Cameras were admitted to the Lords chamber to broadcast questions and a debate on the economy on BBC One and BBC Two.
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I think this is my favourite shot from a lovely morning shooting on what seemed like the coldest day ever (last Saturday). I've always loved the spot but the light at this time of year is just perfect. #StreetPhotography #SonyAlpha #Photography #Newcastle #NewcastleuponTyne
January 13, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I think this is my favourite shot from a lovely morning shooting on what seemed like the coldest day ever (last Saturday). I've always loved the spot but the light at this time of year is just perfect. #StreetPhotography #SonyAlpha #Photography #Newcastle #NewcastleuponTyne
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Here we go. Our first attempt to track legislative consent motions across the Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru:
procedure-browser-159b715822a4.herokuapp.com/procedure-br...
procedure-browser-159b715822a4.herokuapp.com/procedure-br...
UK Parliament procedure browser: Work package for Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024-25
A work package for Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024-25.
procedure-browser-159b715822a4.herokuapp.com
January 21, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Here we go. Our first attempt to track legislative consent motions across the Northern Ireland Assembly, Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru:
procedure-browser-159b715822a4.herokuapp.com/procedure-br...
procedure-browser-159b715822a4.herokuapp.com/procedure-br...
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Hansard - reminding you that MPs used to make barnyard noises during debates (1885)
January 15, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Hansard - reminding you that MPs used to make barnyard noises during debates (1885)
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For #NationalHatDay we have an MP noted for the 'strikingly rustic' hat he wore at Westminster. Find out more here about Thomas Collins, MP for Knaresborough and Boston, also known as 'Noisy Tom': victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2024/12/13/n...
‘Noisy Tom’ Collins, the ‘arch-interrupter’ of the House of Commons
Our research on the House of Commons has uncovered many backbench MPs whose names are forgotten today, but who were well-known figures at Westminster in the 19th century. Our assistant editor Dr Ka…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
January 15, 2025 at 12:58 PM
For #NationalHatDay we have an MP noted for the 'strikingly rustic' hat he wore at Westminster. Find out more here about Thomas Collins, MP for Knaresborough and Boston, also known as 'Noisy Tom': victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2024/12/13/n...
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This is both an incredibly niche thing but I think it should be more of a thing. Caffè Nero subscribes to the British Newspaper Archive so it’s all free on their wifi. There. I said it.
January 15, 2025 at 9:54 AM
This is both an incredibly niche thing but I think it should be more of a thing. Caffè Nero subscribes to the British Newspaper Archive so it’s all free on their wifi. There. I said it.
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Today is the 60th anniversary of the O'Neill/Lemass summit, the first meeting between the two heads of government in 40 years.
Lemass: I shall get into terrible trouble for this
O'Neill : No, Mr Lemass, it is I who shall get into trouble for this
A 🧵on how it happened
Lemass: I shall get into terrible trouble for this
O'Neill : No, Mr Lemass, it is I who shall get into trouble for this
A 🧵on how it happened
January 14, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Today is the 60th anniversary of the O'Neill/Lemass summit, the first meeting between the two heads of government in 40 years.
Lemass: I shall get into terrible trouble for this
O'Neill : No, Mr Lemass, it is I who shall get into trouble for this
A 🧵on how it happened
Lemass: I shall get into terrible trouble for this
O'Neill : No, Mr Lemass, it is I who shall get into trouble for this
A 🧵on how it happened
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Follow the Chamber in real time: now.parliament.uk
ParliamentNow - UK Parliament
A website presenting information from the UK Parliament annunciator system, covering both the House of Commons and House of Lords. Similar to annunciator screens on the estate, the app provides consta...
now.parliament.uk
January 14, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Follow the Chamber in real time: now.parliament.uk
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New year, new podcast?
Don't fret, as last year we released our podcast 'Tales from the Green Benches: An Oral History of Parliament'. All episodes are now up to listen to wherever you get your podcasts!
Don't fret, as last year we released our podcast 'Tales from the Green Benches: An Oral History of Parliament'. All episodes are now up to listen to wherever you get your podcasts!
Welcome to the House | Tales from the Green Benches: An Oral History of Parliament
Listen to Welcome to the House from Tales from the Green Benches: An Oral History of Parliament. Entering the Houses of Parliament as a new MP is one of the few experiences universal to all…
buff.ly
January 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
New year, new podcast?
Don't fret, as last year we released our podcast 'Tales from the Green Benches: An Oral History of Parliament'. All episodes are now up to listen to wherever you get your podcasts!
Don't fret, as last year we released our podcast 'Tales from the Green Benches: An Oral History of Parliament'. All episodes are now up to listen to wherever you get your podcasts!
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🚨 New #ParliamentMatters Bulletin out now! 🚨
Your essential read on the key developments in Parliament: scrutiny, debates, reforms, and the big issues shaping policymaking.
Here's a sneak peek of what’s inside this week’s edition 👇 (1/6)
Your essential read on the key developments in Parliament: scrutiny, debates, reforms, and the big issues shaping policymaking.
Here's a sneak peek of what’s inside this week’s edition 👇 (1/6)
January 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM
🚨 New #ParliamentMatters Bulletin out now! 🚨
Your essential read on the key developments in Parliament: scrutiny, debates, reforms, and the big issues shaping policymaking.
Here's a sneak peek of what’s inside this week’s edition 👇 (1/6)
Your essential read on the key developments in Parliament: scrutiny, debates, reforms, and the big issues shaping policymaking.
Here's a sneak peek of what’s inside this week’s edition 👇 (1/6)
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Writing #OnThisDay 1835 Benjamin Disraeli reflected on his defeat at Wycombe at the recent general election. He blamed a failure to register his supporters as voters & being outspent by his opponents: ‘Had I let money fly, I shd have come in.’
January 11, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Writing #OnThisDay 1835 Benjamin Disraeli reflected on his defeat at Wycombe at the recent general election. He blamed a failure to register his supporters as voters & being outspent by his opponents: ‘Had I let money fly, I shd have come in.’
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Born #OTD 1750, Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine. Lord Chancellor during Grenville's Ministry of All Talents, and the lawyer who defended Thomas Paine during his seditious libel trial in 1792. Find out more via his #HistParl bio. https://buff.ly/3PtLIXC
January 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Born #OTD 1750, Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine. Lord Chancellor during Grenville's Ministry of All Talents, and the lawyer who defended Thomas Paine during his seditious libel trial in 1792. Find out more via his #HistParl bio. https://buff.ly/3PtLIXC
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🎙️ NEW podcast episode.
🐦 Elon Musk's tweets influenced Parliament's agenda in 3 ways this week. What were they, why and should we be concerned?
❓ Why are there so many identically worded parliamentary questions? Who is orchestrating it?
Listen now: https://buff.ly/4083Yut
🐦 Elon Musk's tweets influenced Parliament's agenda in 3 ways this week. What were they, why and should we be concerned?
❓ Why are there so many identically worded parliamentary questions? Who is orchestrating it?
Listen now: https://buff.ly/4083Yut
January 10, 2025 at 11:30 AM
🎙️ NEW podcast episode.
🐦 Elon Musk's tweets influenced Parliament's agenda in 3 ways this week. What were they, why and should we be concerned?
❓ Why are there so many identically worded parliamentary questions? Who is orchestrating it?
Listen now: https://buff.ly/4083Yut
🐦 Elon Musk's tweets influenced Parliament's agenda in 3 ways this week. What were they, why and should we be concerned?
❓ Why are there so many identically worded parliamentary questions? Who is orchestrating it?
Listen now: https://buff.ly/4083Yut