My big idea today is: a referendum (yes, another one!) on a written constitution for the whole UK, which affirms territorial integrity and political independence. That would see off the breakup of the UK, and any risk of regional referendums in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
Robbins could insist on justifying civil service discretion in the face of ministerial rights to know? Starmer will have diminishing political support. Robbins, the support of the former cabinet secretaries and other mandarins. Public opinion, unimpressed with the former, may warm to the latter.
Why did they submit dozens of files to the public prosecution service, only to have them rejected as not meeting the legal test – all of which was predictable? The process has become the punishment.
More work is needed to ensure proper protection for ex-servicemen and give victims’ families a chance at the truth.
The need to protect the Belfast Agreement is the most plausible argument as the Bill faces its second reading today.
After a stumbling start, the Government is heading in the right direction on human rights reform. But there remains much to do.
Will they fight any following cases all the way to the Supreme Court, and ask it to overturn Kerr’s decision?
A contest exists between traditional common lawyers, who believe the constitution exists (in their minds), and modernisers including myself.
Hilary Benn, the NI secretary, finally introduced his Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, creating two classes of veterans: those under the 2021 act and those – who were about to be sacrificed – under the Legacy Act 2023. This is the bill Al Carns has torn up with his bare hands.