Senior Lecturer in British Politics, @QMPoliticsIR. Researching UK politics and parliament: legislation, opposition days, private members' bills, procedure.
London
Joined March 2010
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Paperback copies of #LegislationAtWestminster have arrived! 🙌
Available with 30% discount here (use code: ALAUTHC4): global.oup.com/academic/prod…
Daniel Gover retweeted
This episode of @LordSpeaker's Corner with @MileEndInst’s Peter Hennessy is delightful.
As the King said of the Queen Mother, one of Peter's great heroes, Peter and Enid are "life enhancers". Their stoicism and good cheer in the face of Parkinson's should be a model to us all.
Family and friends form a powerfully supportive community when someone close has Parkinson’s.
Historian Lord Hennessy, joined by his wife Enid, tells me about his personal experience of the condition, after retiring from @UKHouseofLords.
@ParkinsonsUK @CarersUK
Daniel Gover retweeted
Next month, I'm going to be launching my new @BloomsburyAcad book, "Now or Never!", at my beloved @MileEndInst.
Speakers include the voice of Radio 4 @carolynquinncq, @po_qu's Ben Jackson and a MYSTERY Scottish politician. Do join us if you can!
eventbrite.co.uk/e/now-or-ne…
Daniel Gover retweeted
We are recruiting!
We care about what you can do, not where you went to university.
We’re hiring a Head of Operations. First-stage selection is based on six skills-based answers, reviewed blind.
Bring your organisational skills and interest in democracy.
Apply by 23 October:
buff.ly/9KggLuy
A blast from the constitutional past, but a new piece from me on Westminster's experiment with EVEL.
'The operation and abolition of ‘English Votes for English Laws’ in the UK parliament: differentiated voting rights and English ‘legislative consent’'
doi.org/10.1080/13572334.202…
Daniel Gover retweeted
🎙️ NEW: PMQs – Parliament Matters Questions
We took the podcast to Queen Mary University of London @QMUL for a live Student Week special episode.
Students put their questions about Parliament, politics and government to:
- Dr Robert Saunders - @redhistorian
- Dr Daniel Gover - @DanielGover &
- Dr Catherine Haddon - @cath_haddon
Listen now:
buff.ly/afqoBHv
Daniel Gover retweeted
The Procedure Committee have just published their report on Written Parliamentary Questions.
Finding that “the WPQs system is currently under huge stress both within government and within the House”, it makes a number of recommendations for reform. 🧵
publications.parliament.uk/p…
Daniel Gover retweeted
Excellent summary of vote on assisted dying by excellent QMUL colleague @DanielGover
Why did MPs vote to reject the assisted dying bill – and what happens now? theconversation.com/why-did-… via @ConversationUK
Daniel Gover retweeted
A very interesting account of today's debate and vote, and what may happen next. 🔽
After MPs voted against assisted dying legislation today, a new piece from me on the outcome:
'Why did MPs vote to reject the assisted dying bill – and what happens now?' @ConversationUK
theconversation.com/why-did-…
After MPs voted against assisted dying legislation today, a new piece from me on the outcome:
'Why did MPs vote to reject the assisted dying bill – and what happens now?' @ConversationUK
theconversation.com/why-did-…
Comparing today's assisted dying bill vote to the last time MPs voted (June 2025), turnout was key.
Only 5 MPs look to have actively switched their vote (all from yes to no).
But among MPs voting no in June 2025, 15 didn't vote this time. Among those who voted yes it was 43.
Daniel Gover retweeted
Just to explain what's happening here... MPs basically had a vote on whether or not to have a vote.
293 said yes let's please have a vote on the assisted dying bill
218 said no let's not (and it would potentially fail)
It's all a bit confusing but that's the nub of it.
Daniel Gover retweeted
This is important. @Telegraph gone early with the wrong vote
Closure won by 293 to 218. Now move to second reading of the assisted dying bill itself.
The fact that closure was won by a large margin is promising for bill supporters. But there are good reasons opponents might not vote against closure.
We are coming towards the end of the second reading debate on the assisted dying bill.
What comes next:
🟢 Closure: Likely someone will move to 'close' the debate. May be agreed without a vote.
🟢 Second reading: If closure agreed, then vote on bill itself.
On the point about it being possible in principle for MPs to later decide to 'switch off' the Parliament Acts applying to the assisted dying bill, if they chose to do so, see provision in PAs: 'unless the House of Commons direct to the contrary'. But would need government time.
Assisted dying bill debate has featured lots on process. Some truth on both sides.
🟢 Opponents correct that passing bill could by default result in it becoming law without amendment.
🟢 Supporters correct that nothing stops Lords amending bill - and strong incentives to do so.
Karen Bradley states that if MPs pass the assisted dying bill in this form the Parliament Acts apply automatically.
This is essentially correct. Parliament Acts do apply automatically - though MPs can vote to disapply the process (possible, but would need Commons time).
Alicia Kearns MP (correctly) notes that it is possible in principle for MPs to pass 'suggested amendments' alongside an otherwise-identical assisted dying bill.
Possible in principle. But would very likely require ministers to make time.
Explained here: theconversation.com/can-the-…
