Politics academics publish new book edition including analysis of 2024 General Election
A new book promises to provide even more insight into Parliament.
A second edition of Exploring Parliament, edited by Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira and Dr Alexandra Meakin at the School of Politics and International Studies, alongside Dr Louise Thompson, Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, has now been published by Oxford University Press.
The book provides an insight into the workings of Parliament, including chapters on the legislative process, scrutiny and accountability, and representation across the House of Commons. Drawing on both academic perspectives and those of parliamentary practitioners, the work examines the reality of Parliament in practice and the relationships behind the scenes between different structures and stakeholders.
A skilful blend of academic and practitioner knowledge which results in an accurate and nuanced introduction to the UK Parliament. Its use of case studies to bring parliamentary practice to life is second to none.
This new edition has been updated to include analysis of the 2024 General Election, as well as an increased focus on diversity and representation amongst MPs, and additional coverage on the UK’s devolved parliaments. In a recent blog promoting the book, Leston-Bandeira, Meakin and Thompson also laid out what we can expect to see in the 2024 Parliament, including a shifting party balance on the green benches and the most diverse House of Commons on record.
The book will be launched in London on the 15 May 2025 where a panel of speakers will reflect on the book and its value to the 2024 parliament.
Professor Leston-Bandeira is a member of the Centre for Democratic Politics and Chair of IPEN, the International Parliament Engagement Network, a network that brings together academics and practitioners from across the world to share practices on public engagement and discuss ways to enhance it.
Dr Alexandra Meakin joined the School of Politics and International Studies in 2021 having previously worked for over a decade in Westminster. She is a member of IPEN and the Programme Director of the Politics and Parliamentary Studies undergraduate degree.
