Jennifer Davey

My article on the Motherwell by-election is now available to read in @parlhistjournal.bsky.social
It explores the reasons for Dr. Robert McIntyre's victory and how he became embroiled in a sponsorship saga.

"Having looked at some deaths of MPs involving vegetables ..." is an unimprovable line

Honestly, the joy of working @histparl.bsky.social.

We have a vacancy at UCL for a new permanent lecturer in British and Comparative politics, working as part of the Constitution Unit

A minor insight into the importance of 18th-century women lacking a formal vote, but commanding influence over their menfolk:
"Mr. Winford, notwithstanding his behaviour in St. Stephens, has not the hearts of the citizens, or what is worse, the citizens' wives."
www.histparl.ac.uk/volume/1715-...

Last week our colleague Dr Kathryn Rix appeared on Today in Parliament to discuss how women were able to watch debates in the House of Commons after they were officially barred from the chamber in 1778.

You can check out her interview here (starting at 22:55):
buff.ly/yrr6CQo

BBC Radio 4 - Materials of State David Cannadine examines some of the objects that make the British constitution so unique.

'Materials of State' concludes today at 1:45pm on BBC Radio 4. If you missed any of the episodes, don't fret! You can catch up with the rest of the series either on BBC iPlayer or on BBC Sounds!

I love these stats - because of course Gladstone delivered the longest Budget speech and Disraeli the shortest.

This image is a 19th century cartoon of Budget Day in the House of Commons. In the top left corner the Chancellor, George Goschen is stood at the dispatch box leaning over a chaotic pile of papers. He is wearing traditional suit and old-fashioned spectacles. The caption above his head reads 'Mr Goschen in the thick of it.' He is flanked by two men on either side of him, sat on the frontbench. One is looking on with a faint smile of admiration, the other is looking anxious. In the bottom left corner a group of constituents are depicted sat in the public gallery asking questions to a backbench MP. Another caption reads 'Hon Members' Constituents want to know something of the Land bill! (awkward)'. In the bottom of the picture Samuel Storey, depicted with a long beard, is n waiting to give a speech. In the bottom right William Harcourt is depicted as a large man towering over William Harcourt in a conversation. In the top right, James Bain is stood in the Common chamber wearing a top hat.

Today is #BudgetDay 2025!
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)

Researching a bit of historic Budget trivia and TL;DR- it's Gladstone. It's always Gladstone.

The red box? Gladstone. The tradition the Chancellor can drink while speaking? Gladstone. Longest Budget speech? Gladstone. Most Budget speeches? Gladstone.

BBC Radio 4 - Materials of State, The Union Jack David Cannadine explores the history of the Union Jack.

'Materials of State' will be airing this week on Radio 4, made in association with the History of Parliament.

The series examines the artefacts and emblems that have shaped, and continue to shape, the British constitution.

You can catch the first episode today at 1:45pm:
buff.ly/1I5JVcE

This is an exciting find: the remains of the building used by the House of Commons as its temporary chamber between 1835 and 1851. If you want to know what that building looked like, see our short article: historyofparliament.com/2025/09/25/t...

‘Kind patron of the mirthful fray’: the English aristocracy and cricket in the 18th century - The History of Parliament The Ashes Test series currently under way provides an opportunity to consider the English aristocracy’s role in cricket’s early development in the 18th

This was a thing in the 18th century, too. See Charles Littleton's post on cricket and the Georgian aristocracy:
historyofparliament.com/2023/07/06/e...

Cricket in the Commons: a Victorian First Eleven - The History of Parliament With the 2025 Ashes between England and Australia getting underway this week, we have a cricketing themed post from our House of Commons, 1832-1945 project.

With this years Ashes beginning in the early hours of this morning, we thought we'd point you in the direction of @TheVictCommons where they explore the link between cricket and the Victorian House of Commons

historyofparliament.com/2025/11/20/c...

Interesting: during the debates on the spirituous liquors bill (1743) in the House of Lords, the earl of Aylesford proposes something rather modern:
"Instead of passing or rejecting this Bill... let us only delay it, by which we shall give the Commons time to reflect upon it"
#HistParl

A Liberal councillor who made LGBT+ history Sam Green was the first openly gay politician ever elected in the UK – and possibly the world.

I was honoured to unveil a plaque for Sam Green, the first openly gay politician to be elected in the UK.

He did so much for his community and his courage and dedication remind us to keep championing equality, respect and the rights of everybody.

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.

Annual Lecture: Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51 Join us for the History of Parliament Annual Lecture for 2025, given by Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds.

This year's Annual Lecture will be taking place on 16 December, where Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, will be speaking on Clement Attlee's Labour Governments.

Grab your FREE ticket below before its too late: hptannuallecture2025.eventbrite.co.uk

It seems highly likely that Messrs Kent and Fatt, both of them described in the press as being Black, and who held in succession (c1739) the office of sweeper of the king's chimneys - an office of some profit - would have qualified to vote.
Worth a check in the poll books.

This is ground-breaking research by Gillian Williamson. It shows that 30 years before Ignatius Sancho at least one Black voter participated in an election, and the implication must be that there were others like John London.
#skystorians

John London: Britain's First Black Voter? - The History of Parliament this election could serve as the earliest known record of a Black person voting in a British parliamentary election - John London

In November 1749, John London walked from his home to vote in the Westminster constituency parliamentary by-election.

As Dr Gillian Williamson explores, this provides the earliest known record of a Black person voting in a British parliamentary election:

Annual Lecture: Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51 Join us for the History of Parliament Annual Lecture for 2025, given by Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds.

The History of Parliament is excited to announce this year's Annual Lecture!

On 16 December in Portcullis House, Rt Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds will be speaking on 'Clement Attlee’s Labour Governments of 1945-51: A Reappraisal'.

Tickets are FREE and can be found in the link below:

MPs and the Second World War - The History of Parliament Ahead of Remembrance Day, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of our House of Commons,

In our latest article, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War.

Their biographies written by #HistParl are now accessible on Parliament's website, links to which you can find in Dr Rix's article below:

Chloe Mawson, appointed 66th 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.

MPs and the Second World War - The History of Parliament Ahead of Remembrance Day, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix, Assistant Editor of our House of Commons,

Ahead of Remembrance Day this Sunday, and with 2025 marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, Dr Kathryn Rix has looked at the 23 MPs commemorated in the Commons chamber who died during the Second World War: historyofparliament.com/2025/11/07/m...

‘Confirmation of the People’s Rights’: commemorating the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688 - The History of Parliament For many, the beginning of November means the advent of longer nights as the year winds down to Christmas. Some may still enjoy attending firework displays

Many will be awaking this morning after an evening of fireworks and festivities.

However, as Dr Robin Eagles has explored, on the centenery of the Glorious Revolution, the 4th and 5th November were eyed for a different lasting memorial:

historyofparliament.com/2025/11/06/c...

1/ With today's #BonfireNight celebrations, we are fittingly looking at the historic constituency of Lewes. Represented since the 1295 Model Parliament, Lewes is not only home to major political events, but also a unique tradition of bonfire celebrations. 🎆

Members of the Victorian Commons team will be on the #HistParl stand from 11-11:45 and 2-2:45 for all your 19th century history needs, and other brilliant colleagues will also be on hand throughout the day!

'School Girls at the House of Commons' (including Michael Joseph Flavin) - National Portrait Gallery by Benjamin Stone platinum print 22 July 1909 © National Portrait Gallery, London

Can anyone help me identify these schoolgirls who visited Parliament in July 1909? I'm writing about them in my book and would LOVE to be able to say who they are! www.npg.org.uk/collections/... #histed #histchild

Come and say hello to the #HistParl team at History Day next week! We're excited to talk about our research and catch up with new and old friends working in the sector.

Find out more via @ihr.bsky.social #HistDay25