Rich Greenhill
@richgreenhill.bsky.social
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
NEW EPISODE: What happens when you defy the party whip?
Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan joins us to reflect on rebelling over Winter Fuel Allowance cuts, being suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party, and calling on Keir Starmer to resign.
🎙️Listen now - links in post below 👇
Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan joins us to reflect on rebelling over Winter Fuel Allowance cuts, being suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party, and calling on Keir Starmer to resign.
🎙️Listen now - links in post below 👇
February 13, 2026 at 12:29 PM
NEW EPISODE: What happens when you defy the party whip?
Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan joins us to reflect on rebelling over Winter Fuel Allowance cuts, being suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party, and calling on Keir Starmer to resign.
🎙️Listen now - links in post below 👇
Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan joins us to reflect on rebelling over Winter Fuel Allowance cuts, being suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party, and calling on Keir Starmer to resign.
🎙️Listen now - links in post below 👇
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
Thanks to @hansardsociety.bsky.social for inviting me to write about the costed proposals for the Restoration & Renewal of the Palace of Westminster www.hansardsociety.org.uk/blog/restora... 2026 marks 10 years since I started researching R&R, so good to know it'll keep me busy for many, many more
Once again, there is still no alternative: the costed proposals for Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster
The Restoration and Renewal Client Board’s latest report once again confirms what Parliament has known for nearly a decade: the cheapest, quickest and safest way to restore the Palace of Westminster i...
www.hansardsociety.org.uk
February 9, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Thanks to @hansardsociety.bsky.social for inviting me to write about the costed proposals for the Restoration & Renewal of the Palace of Westminster www.hansardsociety.org.uk/blog/restora... 2026 marks 10 years since I started researching R&R, so good to know it'll keep me busy for many, many more
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
6 Prime Ministers since 2010
Now Keir Starmer is under pressure — again.
Why does the UK burn through leaders so fast, and can anything fix it?
🎧 buff.ly/RPrVzpd
Now Keir Starmer is under pressure — again.
Why does the UK burn through leaders so fast, and can anything fix it?
🎧 buff.ly/RPrVzpd
February 9, 2026 at 10:02 AM
6 Prime Ministers since 2010
Now Keir Starmer is under pressure — again.
Why does the UK burn through leaders so fast, and can anything fix it?
🎧 buff.ly/RPrVzpd
Now Keir Starmer is under pressure — again.
Why does the UK burn through leaders so fast, and can anything fix it?
🎧 buff.ly/RPrVzpd
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
The House will be structuring the SAVE Act as an amendment to a Senate bill, so that the Senate doesn’t have to deal with a debatable motion to proceed.
But you can filibuster a motion to proceed even if it’s nondebatable, such that it becomes necessary to use cloture:
But you can filibuster a motion to proceed even if it’s nondebatable, such that it becomes necessary to use cloture:
February 7, 2026 at 10:56 PM
The House will be structuring the SAVE Act as an amendment to a Senate bill, so that the Senate doesn’t have to deal with a debatable motion to proceed.
But you can filibuster a motion to proceed even if it’s nondebatable, such that it becomes necessary to use cloture:
But you can filibuster a motion to proceed even if it’s nondebatable, such that it becomes necessary to use cloture:
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
In case @johnlsheridan.bsky.social is bored one rainy afternoon
Beware invisible law
An interesting aspect of domestic law-making is what I think of as the “invisible provisions”. Here is an example which finally made it off the statute books recently. If, prior to the last week, y…
informationrightsandwrongs.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:46 PM
In case @johnlsheridan.bsky.social is bored one rainy afternoon
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
The generalised case of the oddity I mentioned a while ago
I can well imagine. As a very edgy edge case, if anybody ever gets s3 of the Dentists Act 1984 to point to reg 5 of The Health Care and Associated Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2008, I will be profoundly impressed by their deep voodoo and delighted to buy them a very large drink.
February 7, 2026 at 4:55 PM
The generalised case of the oddity I mentioned a while ago
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
Say what you want about the current Olympic logos et al, few things will beat this banger of a design found in Canada's STILL ON THE BOOKS Olympic (1976) Act (S.C. 1973-74, c. 31)
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/O-9...
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/O-9...
February 7, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Say what you want about the current Olympic logos et al, few things will beat this banger of a design found in Canada's STILL ON THE BOOKS Olympic (1976) Act (S.C. 1973-74, c. 31)
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/O-9...
laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/O-9...
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
Federal judge: "The presumption of regularity that has previously extended to [the United States Government] that it could be taken at its word—with little doubt about its intentions and stated purposes—no longer holds."
This is in a case where the Trump admin sued Oregon.
This is in a case where the Trump admin sued Oregon.
February 6, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Federal judge: "The presumption of regularity that has previously extended to [the United States Government] that it could be taken at its word—with little doubt about its intentions and stated purposes—no longer holds."
This is in a case where the Trump admin sued Oregon.
This is in a case where the Trump admin sued Oregon.
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
Sir Guenter Treitel came to the UK on the Kindertransport. He became the foremost authority on English contract law.
Famously, he held the Rolling Stones to their contract to play the Magdalen Ball in 1964 for £100 - they had suddenly become superstars after being booked as unknowns in 1963.
Famously, he held the Rolling Stones to their contract to play the Magdalen Ball in 1964 for £100 - they had suddenly become superstars after being booked as unknowns in 1963.
Magdalen launches Sir Guenter Treitel Scholarships.
Each year, three Sir Guenter Treitel Scholars will be provided with full funding (fees and maintenance) to study the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) at Magdalen College.
Read more: www.magd.ox.ac.uk/news/magdale...
Each year, three Sir Guenter Treitel Scholars will be provided with full funding (fees and maintenance) to study the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) at Magdalen College.
Read more: www.magd.ox.ac.uk/news/magdale...
February 6, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Sir Guenter Treitel came to the UK on the Kindertransport. He became the foremost authority on English contract law.
Famously, he held the Rolling Stones to their contract to play the Magdalen Ball in 1964 for £100 - they had suddenly become superstars after being booked as unknowns in 1963.
Famously, he held the Rolling Stones to their contract to play the Magdalen Ball in 1964 for £100 - they had suddenly become superstars after being booked as unknowns in 1963.
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
And here's the costed proposals for Restoration and Renewal. Two options recommended: full decant and EMI+. Full decant will be cheaper and quicker - staying in the Palace during the works will means it takes up to 61 years and costs up to £18.7bn. Full link committees.parliament.uk/publications...
February 5, 2026 at 2:08 PM
And here's the costed proposals for Restoration and Renewal. Two options recommended: full decant and EMI+. Full decant will be cheaper and quicker - staying in the Palace during the works will means it takes up to 61 years and costs up to £18.7bn. Full link committees.parliament.uk/publications...
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
Those instruments include Writs to the relevant escheators as well as a Mandate to the Knights, Freeholders, and other tenants of the Archbishopric of Canterbury commanding them to obey her as their Archbishop and Lord (note: these examples relate to the See of Bath & Wells). 2/2
February 5, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Those instruments include Writs to the relevant escheators as well as a Mandate to the Knights, Freeholders, and other tenants of the Archbishopric of Canterbury commanding them to obey her as their Archbishop and Lord (note: these examples relate to the See of Bath & Wells). 2/2
www.flickr.com/photos/ukhou...
Sent from my Woolsack
Sent from my Woolsack
February 4, 2026 at 10:28 AM
www.flickr.com/photos/ukhou...
Sent from my Woolsack
Sent from my Woolsack
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
How is the Government really doing on its legislative programme as the Session heads toward its expected May end?
📊📜 We run the scorecard on bills passed, bills stalled, and why so little legislation has been published for pre-legislative scrutiny.
🎧 Listen and subscribe: buff.ly/KrbpTW4
📊📜 We run the scorecard on bills passed, bills stalled, and why so little legislation has been published for pre-legislative scrutiny.
🎧 Listen and subscribe: buff.ly/KrbpTW4
February 2, 2026 at 3:00 PM
How is the Government really doing on its legislative programme as the Session heads toward its expected May end?
📊📜 We run the scorecard on bills passed, bills stalled, and why so little legislation has been published for pre-legislative scrutiny.
🎧 Listen and subscribe: buff.ly/KrbpTW4
📊📜 We run the scorecard on bills passed, bills stalled, and why so little legislation has been published for pre-legislative scrutiny.
🎧 Listen and subscribe: buff.ly/KrbpTW4
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
🧵 🗳️ Parliament Matters Bulletin | Westminster Look Ahead
What’s coming up in Parliament this week? Here’s what we’re watching across Westminster — from major legislation to high-profile committee evidence.
👇
What’s coming up in Parliament this week? Here’s what we’re watching across Westminster — from major legislation to high-profile committee evidence.
👇
February 1, 2026 at 8:20 PM
🧵 🗳️ Parliament Matters Bulletin | Westminster Look Ahead
What’s coming up in Parliament this week? Here’s what we’re watching across Westminster — from major legislation to high-profile committee evidence.
👇
What’s coming up in Parliament this week? Here’s what we’re watching across Westminster — from major legislation to high-profile committee evidence.
👇
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
NEWS: Judge Biery has ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Ramos. A thunderous rebuke against ICE’s violent campaign in Minnesota. Read the order below.
Link:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Link:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Order – #9 in Conejo Arias v. Noem (W.D. Tex., 5:26-cv-00415) – CourtListener.com
OPINION AND ORDER OF THE COURT--The Court finds that the Constitution of these United States trumps this administration's detention of petitioner Adrian Conejo Arias and his minor son, L.C.R. The Grea...
storage.courtlistener.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:27 PM
NEWS: Judge Biery has ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Ramos. A thunderous rebuke against ICE’s violent campaign in Minnesota. Read the order below.
Link:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Link:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
NEW: Can the #AssistedDying bill be forced through Parliament using the Parliament Act?
With the Lords facing nearly 1,200 amendments and time running out, Lord Falconer has raised the stakes.
🎧 Our new episode of Parliament Matters explores how it could work.
buff.ly/ldf3eFZ
With the Lords facing nearly 1,200 amendments and time running out, Lord Falconer has raised the stakes.
🎧 Our new episode of Parliament Matters explores how it could work.
buff.ly/ldf3eFZ
January 30, 2026 at 10:12 AM
NEW: Can the #AssistedDying bill be forced through Parliament using the Parliament Act?
With the Lords facing nearly 1,200 amendments and time running out, Lord Falconer has raised the stakes.
🎧 Our new episode of Parliament Matters explores how it could work.
buff.ly/ldf3eFZ
With the Lords facing nearly 1,200 amendments and time running out, Lord Falconer has raised the stakes.
🎧 Our new episode of Parliament Matters explores how it could work.
buff.ly/ldf3eFZ
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
This reminds me that my civil service pension documentation uses the domain civilservice-pensions.gov.uk - which no longer exists. I did try and get GOV.UK to make a redirect but they said no.
My favourite bit of the website is the code may take minutes to arrive, but will time out in minutes
My favourite bit of the website is the code may take minutes to arrive, but will time out in minutes
January 29, 2026 at 6:48 PM
This reminds me that my civil service pension documentation uses the domain civilservice-pensions.gov.uk - which no longer exists. I did try and get GOV.UK to make a redirect but they said no.
My favourite bit of the website is the code may take minutes to arrive, but will time out in minutes
My favourite bit of the website is the code may take minutes to arrive, but will time out in minutes
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
I've written a piece for the @econ-observatory.bsky.social on the history of GDS. Notably, why you need change both top down and bottom up incentives if you're aiming to help a large, federated organisation adopt radical change.
JUST PUBLISHED – The UK government’s digital transformation: how did it come about?
By Tom Loosemore @tomski.com
By Tom Loosemore @tomski.com
The UK government’s digital transformation: how did it come about? - Economics Observatory
GOV.UK is intended to be the single point of online access for UK government information and services. The project leader in the Government Digital Service recounts the transformation in the early…
buff.ly
January 29, 2026 at 1:46 PM
I've written a piece for the @econ-observatory.bsky.social on the history of GDS. Notably, why you need change both top down and bottom up incentives if you're aiming to help a large, federated organisation adopt radical change.
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
I serve on a devolved legislature where I got stopped doing something by Henry VIII
January 28, 2026 at 10:56 PM
I serve on a devolved legislature where I got stopped doing something by Henry VIII
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
🚨 Use of the word “archaic” for literally any bit of parliamentary procedure klaxon 🚨
The full story here - how the Parliament Act could be deployed to bypass the Lords if they stop the assisted dying bill
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Assisted dying backers could use archaic procedure to bypass ‘undemocratic’ block by peers
Exclusive: MPs backing bill to use ‘nuclear option’ of 1911 Parliament Act if it continues to be blocked by Lords
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:54 PM
🚨 Use of the word “archaic” for literally any bit of parliamentary procedure klaxon 🚨
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
Out of the 2159 Jews who lived in my Zayde's village
before the war, 20 survived. The Germans, with assistance from Lithuanian police, shot 2000 people in two days. The rest were sent to ghettos, or hid in the forest. My Zayde hid, and I get to be here today. I can't forget, I hope you won't either.
before the war, 20 survived. The Germans, with assistance from Lithuanian police, shot 2000 people in two days. The rest were sent to ghettos, or hid in the forest. My Zayde hid, and I get to be here today. I can't forget, I hope you won't either.
January 27, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Out of the 2159 Jews who lived in my Zayde's village
before the war, 20 survived. The Germans, with assistance from Lithuanian police, shot 2000 people in two days. The rest were sent to ghettos, or hid in the forest. My Zayde hid, and I get to be here today. I can't forget, I hope you won't either.
before the war, 20 survived. The Germans, with assistance from Lithuanian police, shot 2000 people in two days. The rest were sent to ghettos, or hid in the forest. My Zayde hid, and I get to be here today. I can't forget, I hope you won't either.
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
If you've ever wondered why it's become so very hard to get things done in Britain I suggest you read this (which has a much wider application than the civil service, which is the focus of @ukcivilservant.bsky.social )
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...
Document Length - A Cry of Anguish!
“Let us suppose that you are sitting at your desk considering applications to your Minister for licences.
open.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:24 PM
If you've ever wondered why it's become so very hard to get things done in Britain I suggest you read this (which has a much wider application than the civil service, which is the focus of @ukcivilservant.bsky.social )
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
Today's officials' (and others') inability to write short focussed documents has serious damaging consequences:-
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/document-l...
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/document-l...
Document Length - A Cry of Anguish!
“Let us suppose that you are sitting at your desk considering applications to your Minister for licences.
ukcivilservant.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Today's officials' (and others') inability to write short focussed documents has serious damaging consequences:-
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/document-l...
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/document-l...
Reposted by Rich Greenhill
This is a really interesting thread on the ability of LLMs to assess facts in order to identify and answer legal issues. The overall result is in line with my own trials - good at issue spotting, not so good at actually advising on the issues.
Just had an absolutely fascinating exchange with @hikikomorphism.bsky.social on the use of generative AI in law, which resulted in me crafting a question designed to trip an AI up in numerous ways; the AI correctly identifying those traps; and then getting the answer spectacularly wrong anyway. 1/x
modern deep research tools are pretty good. Out of curiousity, would you be willing to give me a question that would require nontrivial research? something you know the answer to, where the answer is tweet-length? I'll run it through a deep research tool and respond with the summarized output
January 27, 2026 at 10:48 PM
This is a really interesting thread on the ability of LLMs to assess facts in order to identify and answer legal issues. The overall result is in line with my own trials - good at issue spotting, not so good at actually advising on the issues.