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An undergraduate finalist in has been awarded the Political Studies Association’s Parliaments and Legislatures Specialist Group essay prize.

Andrew Jones was presented with the prestigious award at Parliament by the Clerk of the House of Commons, David Natzler. His winning essay explained the reasons behind government defeats in the House of Lords and showed the importance of cross-benchers to this.

The essay was submitted as part of the Parliamentary Studies module, approved and co-taught by the Houses of Parliament and Dr Richard Whitaker at the �鶹��Ƶ

Andrew receives his degree at his graduation ceremony on 17 July.

Commenting on the essay, Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira who chairs the specialist group, said: “The panel was very impressed with the quality and rigour of Andrew’s analysis. This was a highly competitive national competition and it is a truly outstanding achievement for a finalist student to be awarded this prize.”

Dr Whitaker said: “This is a fantastic and well-deserved achievement for Andrew and it demonstrates the excellent work that is being done by students on the Parliamentary Studies module at Leicester.”

Andrew, who graduated with a first-class degree at the �鶹��Ƶ degree ceremony on 17 July at 3pm, also won the Department of Politics and International Relations Maurice Hookham Prize for the best final year student and the College of Social Science best third year undergraduate prize.

Andrew said: “I'm delighted that my hard work has been recognised with the award of these three prizes. The encouragement from the University's lecturers, particularly in the Parliamentary Studies module, to pursue independent research in my final year has fascinated me and played a significant role in my achievements.”