Commons Library summer tours for MPs’ staff

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This summer, join the Commons Library for a free tour of our much-loved Members’ Library.

Open to MPs’ staff and House administration staff, these tours are an opportunity to explore our unique heritage space, learn more about the history of the Library and see highlights from our collection. 

Tours will last an hour and are led by our friendly Members’ Library team. Sign up now: Intro to the Library: Summer Library Tours

Dates:

  • 11 August 2025
  • 19 August 2025
  • 20 August 2025

Does the United Kingdom have a constitution?

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House of Commons Library Talk

Session outline

It is often asserted that the UK doesn’t have a constitution, or that it is ‘unwritten’. This talk will test that proposition on the basis of standard constitutional sources.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: 10 July 2025
Location: Online
Registration: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?id=7507

Library Talk: The United Nations at 80

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2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. This talk gives an overview of the United Nations, how its work has evolved over 80 years, and the challenges it faces in the future. The talk will also explore the UK’s role at the United Nations, including as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: Thursday 26 June 2025
Location: Online via Teams
Registration: via ACT

POST – The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

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The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is an impartial research and knowledge exchange service based in the UK Parliament. POST works to ensure members of parliament from both Houses have access to the latest evidence and expertise on complex and emerging topics. It is a valuable resource for parliamentarians looking for clear, impartial research evidence on a wide range of science and social science topics, covering health and the environment to housing and computing.

POST:

  • Publishes impartial briefings, drawing on cutting-edge research evidence, and tailored to the needs of parliament. Our unique approach involves extensive consultation with experts and stakeholders. We focus on topical issues where the research evidence is emerging or particularly complex covering science and social science, from health and the environment to housing and computing.
  • Helps parliamentarians connect with the external experts they need through our UK-wide network of academic and research institutions.

To find out more about POST, read their research briefings and learn about how they can help you with your work, find them on the parliament website at post.parliament.uk

More information about their services can be found on ParliNet.

POST – The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

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The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is an impartial research and knowledge exchange service based in the UK Parliament.

POST works to ensure members of parliament from both Houses have access to the latest evidence and expertise on complex and emerging topics.

It is a valuable resource for parliamentarians looking for clear, impartial research evidence on a wide range of science and social science topics, covering health and the environment to housing and computing.

POST:

  • Publishes impartial briefings, drawing on cutting-edge research evidence, and tailored to the needs of parliament. Our unique approach involves extensive consultation with experts and stakeholders. We focus on topical issues where the research evidence is emerging or particularly complex covering science and social science, from health and the environment to housing and computing.
  • Helps parliamentarians connect with the external experts they need through our UK-wide network of academic and research institutions.

To find out more about POST, read their research briefings and learn about how they can help you with your work, find them on the parliament website at post.parliament.uk

More information about their services can be found on ParliNet.

Library talk: NATO summit preview and the UK armed forces

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The government is expected to set out its defence and foreign policy priorities before the NATO summit. This talk will highlight the key points and lookahead to the main topics of discussion for NATO at its summit on 24-26 June.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: Thursday 19 June 2025
Location: Online Via Teams
Registration: Via ACT

Total Politics Group Launches The House Magazine Lord Cormack Fellowship

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Total Politics Group is proud to announce the launch of the Lord Cormack Fellowship, a new paid, month-long editorial and political journalism fellowship with The House magazine, Parliament’s independent and cross-party publication.

The fellowship is named in honour of Lord Patrick Cormack, the late politician, author and journalist who co-founded The House. Generously supported by his family, the scheme reflects Lord Cormack’s deep-rooted values of editorial impartiality, cross-party collaboration, and respect for the institution of Parliament.

Over the course of the month, the fellow will receive hands-on experience in journalism, politics, and publishing, gaining exposure to all aspects of The House magazine’s editorial, creative and commercial operations. This includes structured modules in:

  • Political Journalism: From Westminster tours and shadowing lobby reporters to investigative journalism, FOI training, and policy deep-dives with The House editorial team.
  • Publishing & Advertising: A 360° view of campaign delivery, creative production, and digital ad operations.
  • Politics & Policy: First-hand insights from senior MPs, civil servants, and voluntary sector leaders on the machinery of government, Parliament, and communications in politics.

“We are delighted to launch this programme in memory of Lord Cormack, whose contribution to both Parliament and The House magazine was profound,” said Mark Wallace, CEO of Total Politics Group. “This fellowship represents our commitment to creating new opportunities for the next generation of journalists and nurturing aspiring talent in political media. I’m very much looking forward to seeing who applies and to working with the successful Fellow.”

Editor in Chief of The House magazine Alan White said “The House has a long track record in producing the great political journalists of tomorrow, and I’m very pleased that we have secured support to run this scheme for years to come. My thanks to the many individuals who have volunteered their time to help.”

Richard Cormack said: “Throughout his long parliamentary career my father, Lord Cormack, was a steadfast believer in equality of opportunity. I’m delighted to help the House magazine in providing a fellowship that will be accessible to all, and very grateful to the Royal Foundation of St Katharine for their generous support.”

The Lord Cormack Fellowship is open to individuals over the age of 18 and has been designed to be fully accessible. The selected fellow will be paid the London Living Wage, with accommodation provided by the Royal Foundation of St Katharine for those requiring it.

This initiative builds on The House magazine’s reputation as the essential platform at the heart of Westminster – providing trusted political reporting and a unique window into Parliament since its founding in 1976.

For more information about the fellowship and how to apply, visit: https://totalpoliticsgroup.bamboohr.com/careers/73?source=aWQ9OQ%3D%3D