A REDIRECT event was held at the University of Exeter exploring the role and experience of political representatives through a conversation with Steve Race MP. Titled The Role and Experience of Political Representatives, the event offered an opportunity to reflect on the personal, institutional, and democratic dimensions of political representation through direct exchange with a sitting Member of Parliament.
The conversation addressed Steve Race’s own pathway into politics, including the motivations that first drew him to public life and his decision to pursue parliamentary office. It then moved to broader questions about what makes a good representative, what citizens expect from elected politicians, and how the representative role changes between local and national politics. Drawing on Race’s experience as both a former councillor and, since 2024, Labour MP for Exeter, the discussion considered how representatives balance constituency demands, party loyalty, parliamentary responsibilities, and personal judgement.
A further part of the event focused on parliamentary work itself, examining the opportunities and constraints of backbench politics, the effectiveness of parliaments as representative institutions, and the arenas in which political representation most meaningfully takes place. The discussion also explored the role of interest groups, the importance of communication between MPs and citizens, and the potential contribution of deliberative innovations such as Citizens’ Assemblies and participatory budgeting to strengthening democratic representation.
Overall, the conversation provided a valuable forum for connecting REDIRECT’s research themes to the practical experience of contemporary parliamentary politics.
Date: 13 March 2026
Location: Exeter, United Kingdom
Partner: University of Exeter (UNEXE)
#PoliticalRepresentation #Parliament #RepresentativeDemocracy #CitizenEngagement #AcademicEvent #REDIRECT
