Book excerpt: Now in its 148th edition Whitaker's Almanack is the definitive reference guide containing a comprehensive overview of every aspect of UK infrastructure and an excellent introduction to world politics. Available only as ebooks, Whitaker's Shorts are selected themed sections from Whitaker's 2016: portable and perfect for those with specific interests within the print edition. Whitaker's Shorts 2016: Governance contains essential information on the UK's European, national and local government infrastructure; a full listing of MPs, government departments and public bodies; plus Parliament: A Year in Review, covering all the key debates in the House of Commons over the 2014-15 parliamentary year.