Aileen McHarg
@aileenmcharg.bsky.social
Professor of Public Law and Human Rights, Durham University. Joint General Editor, Public Law.
Why oh why oh why can't LED candle bulbs come in standard designs?
November 27, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Why oh why oh why can't LED candle bulbs come in standard designs?
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
'The University of Dundee has been told it cannot make any compulsory redundancies until it has a three-year recovery strategy in place as part of conditions placed on its bailout from the Scottish government.' 1/3
Bailout conditions restrict compulsory redundancies at Dundee
University told to come up with a plan for financial recovery before it enforces more job losses
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:00 AM
'The University of Dundee has been told it cannot make any compulsory redundancies until it has a three-year recovery strategy in place as part of conditions placed on its bailout from the Scottish government.' 1/3
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
And I’m very pleased that Katrina is one of the contributors to next Spring’s @publiclaw.bsky.social Special Issue “40 Years of the Public Order Act 1986” looking at the immediate history and political context to the Act, drawing on archival sources
I'm in conversation with Timothy Garton Ash in the new issue of BBC History magazine and podcast.
We're discussing the history of policing protest and public order legislation.
We're discussing the history of policing protest and public order legislation.
November 27, 2025 at 8:32 AM
And I’m very pleased that Katrina is one of the contributors to next Spring’s @publiclaw.bsky.social Special Issue “40 Years of the Public Order Act 1986” looking at the immediate history and political context to the Act, drawing on archival sources
In more than 3 decades as an academic lawyer I've known (of) no more than a handful of people who combine academia with legal practice. So either this is not true or my colleagues are keeping their side hustles very quiet.
Unfortunately, exactly the opposite is true. 30 years ago, academic lawyers could afford to sit and philosophise about law. Now, in general they're so poorly paid that if they have opportunity to do so they work in practice too. I do.
November 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
In more than 3 decades as an academic lawyer I've known (of) no more than a handful of people who combine academia with legal practice. So either this is not true or my colleagues are keeping their side hustles very quiet.
Are all these shout outs to people who suggested spending ideas normal?
November 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Are all these shout outs to people who suggested spending ideas normal?
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Good to see the Guardian living up to expectations with its Christmas present suggestions.
November 22, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Good to see the Guardian living up to expectations with its Christmas present suggestions.
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
One more week for this.
Call for papers for a workshop on Economic Aspects of the Constitution: www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_...
November 21, 2025 at 6:49 PM
One more week for this.
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - I love the smell of a freshly printed journal article in the evening… #senedd #devolution
November 21, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - I love the smell of a freshly printed journal article in the evening… #senedd #devolution
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
My commentary on some of the legal aspects of the government’s latest immigration proposals, including the potential for court challenges
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/lega...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/lega...
What are the legal implications of Labour’s new immigration reforms? | Institute for Government
Some of the government’s proposals are thin on details, others are likely to be tested in the courts.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:19 PM
My commentary on some of the legal aspects of the government’s latest immigration proposals, including the potential for court challenges
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/lega...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/lega...
This note refers to an article by Lewis on the impact of the SC decision forthcoming in the January 2026 issue of Public Law. Definitely worth a read.
Jwanczuk, Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love SC
My case note on today's decision in Jwanczuk, a particularly illuminating example of the the current Supreme Court's conservative approach to human rights issues.
administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com/2025/11/20/t...
My case note on today's decision in Jwanczuk, a particularly illuminating example of the the current Supreme Court's conservative approach to human rights issues.
administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com/2025/11/20/t...
The Supreme Court, Discrimination and Maximal Deference
This may seem a harsh decision but… the risk of undue interference by the courts in the sphere of political choices made by the legislature in the welfare context can only be avoided if the courts …
administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:09 AM
This note refers to an article by Lewis on the impact of the SC decision forthcoming in the January 2026 issue of Public Law. Definitely worth a read.
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
Me and @caitlinsmith.bsky.social have teamed up to make another BBC Radio 4 documentary. If At First You Don't Secede asks if there is any way through the current impasse on independence. It's on this coming Sunday (November 23) at 1.30pm if you fancy a listen. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Currently, If at First You Don’t Secede
If at first you don’t secede, should you really try, try, try again?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Me and @caitlinsmith.bsky.social have teamed up to make another BBC Radio 4 documentary. If At First You Don't Secede asks if there is any way through the current impasse on independence. It's on this coming Sunday (November 23) at 1.30pm if you fancy a listen. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Thanks to Bluesky for helping me to interpret the bloodcurdling scream that came from downstairs a minute ago.
November 18, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Thanks to Bluesky for helping me to interpret the bloodcurdling scream that came from downstairs a minute ago.
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
Rarely spotted job fairy alert! A specific public law senior lecturer/reader post (and a few other positions - including in environmental law - to boot). Please spread the word! Happy to discuss with anyone who is tempted to come join us in Newcastle:
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPM199/s...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPM199/s...
Senior Lecturer/Reader in Public Law at Newcastle University
Apply now for the Senior Lecturer/Reader in Public Law role on jobs.ac.uk - the leading job board for higher education jobs. View details.
www.jobs.ac.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Rarely spotted job fairy alert! A specific public law senior lecturer/reader post (and a few other positions - including in environmental law - to boot). Please spread the word! Happy to discuss with anyone who is tempted to come join us in Newcastle:
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPM199/s...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPM199/s...
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
"But let’s not allow the ruling to feed into the illusion that we are now living in a world in which women have the upper hand." My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on the Supreme Court judgement on the application of Scotland's rape shield laws. www.heraldscotland.com/politics/hol...
Supreme Court ruling reignites debate over Scotland’s rape shield laws
The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on Scotland’s rape shield laws has sparked fears of appeals and delays, raising difficult questions about…
www.heraldscotland.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:46 AM
"But let’s not allow the ruling to feed into the illusion that we are now living in a world in which women have the upper hand." My @heraldscotland.bsky.social column on the Supreme Court judgement on the application of Scotland's rape shield laws. www.heraldscotland.com/politics/hol...
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
'This normalisation of breaking the law in relation to homeless people has to be challenged hence this pre action letter ' 👉 www.heraldscotland.com/news...
November 16, 2025 at 9:58 AM
'This normalisation of breaking the law in relation to homeless people has to be challenged hence this pre action letter ' 👉 www.heraldscotland.com/news...
Given how useless the Home Office already is at making decisions quickly and accurately, a reform premised on requiring them to make *more* decisions (renewed asylum applications every 2.5 years) seems flawed.
November 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Given how useless the Home Office already is at making decisions quickly and accurately, a reform premised on requiring them to make *more* decisions (renewed asylum applications every 2.5 years) seems flawed.
I wonder how many Labour MPs thought that this was the sort of thing they were signing up for when they applied to be parliamentary candidates.
If the government really intends to seize jewellery and other valuables from refugees,
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
either
- it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents
or
- it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
No 10 tells Labour MPs it expects support for tough new asylum policies
Some backbenchers already opposing planned immigration crackdown seen as ‘economically and culturally illiterate’
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:47 AM
I wonder how many Labour MPs thought that this was the sort of thing they were signing up for when they applied to be parliamentary candidates.
This is utterly inhumane.
Traumatised people unable to have any sort of settled life here, and liable to have everything turned upside down overnight as regimes change in unpredictable ways and with unpredictable consequences.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Traumatised people unable to have any sort of settled life here, and liable to have everything turned upside down overnight as regimes change in unpredictable ways and with unpredictable consequences.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 11:18 AM
This is utterly inhumane.
Traumatised people unable to have any sort of settled life here, and liable to have everything turned upside down overnight as regimes change in unpredictable ways and with unpredictable consequences.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Traumatised people unable to have any sort of settled life here, and liable to have everything turned upside down overnight as regimes change in unpredictable ways and with unpredictable consequences.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
MSPs have voted in favour of the general principles of the Scottish Parliament (Recall and Removal of Members) Bill, with 81 MSPs voting in favour & 35 abstaining (no votes were cast against). The Bill will now proceed to Stage 2 where amendments to the Bill can be considered #holyrood #devolution
Plan to allow voters to remove MSPs backed by parliament
Plan to allow voters to remove MSPs backed by parliament
Unlike Westminster, Holyrood does not have a mechanism allowing constituents to recall their representatives.
www.bbc.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:00 AM
MSPs have voted in favour of the general principles of the Scottish Parliament (Recall and Removal of Members) Bill, with 81 MSPs voting in favour & 35 abstaining (no votes were cast against). The Bill will now proceed to Stage 2 where amendments to the Bill can be considered #holyrood #devolution
JFC. I thought that the Gingerbread Doritos I saw the other week was absolute rock bottom in terms of appalling flavour combinations.
There is no earthly reason why this abomination should have ever been conceived, let alone developed and marketed. And even less rational justification for it being so unfathomably delicious or utterly addictive.
It is crack in a bottle and must be regulated, before the whole country is lost to it.
It is crack in a bottle and must be regulated, before the whole country is lost to it.
November 13, 2025 at 4:19 PM
JFC. I thought that the Gingerbread Doritos I saw the other week was absolute rock bottom in terms of appalling flavour combinations.
"Kilts" 🤨
'Kilts' on the horizon...
Scotland given same credit rating as UK ahead of planned inaugural bond
www.ft.com/content/37bb...
by @simeonkerr.bsky.social + me
Scotland given same credit rating as UK ahead of planned inaugural bond
www.ft.com/content/37bb...
by @simeonkerr.bsky.social + me
a man with blue paint on his face is riding a horse with a sword .
ALT: a man with blue paint on his face is riding a horse with a sword .
media.tenor.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:20 PM
"Kilts" 🤨
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
This is a great line:
"Lords reform is always like watching a turtle do gymnastics: incredibly slow and baffling to everyone but at the same time fascinating to those who care willing it on to succeed”
"Lords reform is always like watching a turtle do gymnastics: incredibly slow and baffling to everyone but at the same time fascinating to those who care willing it on to succeed”
November 12, 2025 at 8:12 AM
This is a great line:
"Lords reform is always like watching a turtle do gymnastics: incredibly slow and baffling to everyone but at the same time fascinating to those who care willing it on to succeed”
"Lords reform is always like watching a turtle do gymnastics: incredibly slow and baffling to everyone but at the same time fascinating to those who care willing it on to succeed”
Reposted by Aileen McHarg
For fans of the post-ministerial career of former First Ministers and/or the work of inter-parliamentary assemblies, the UK Govt has confirmed that Lord Jones of Penybont (aka Carwyn Jones) has been appointed the Leader of the UK's delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
For fans of the post-ministerial career of former First Ministers and/or the work of inter-parliamentary assemblies, the UK Govt has confirmed that Lord Jones of Penybont (aka Carwyn Jones) has been appointed the Leader of the UK's delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe