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Adam Tomkins is a British academic and politician who is the John Millar Professor of Public Law at the University… more

Adam Tomkins
H-index: 18
Political science 58%
Law 27%
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Reposted by Adam Tomkins

johnsmithcentre.com
IT'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT TALKING 🗣️

In our latest blog, @eddiebarnes.bsky.social writes on the importance of open debate and discussion ahead of our event at the University of Glasgow with @proftomkins.bsky.social later this month.

Read it here 👇
IT'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT TALKING - John Smith Centre
The University of Glasgow has a longstanding reputation as a place for open political debate and discussion. John Smith – after whom our centre is named – cut his political teeth as a keen Labour…
www.johnsmithcentre.com
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Reposted by Adam Tomkins

johnsmithcentre.com
📢 EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT 📢

Join us and @proftomkins.bsky.social to discuss the law and history around free speech. Open to @uofglasgow.bsky.social students and staff.

📅 28 Oct 2025
📍 Humanities Lecture Theatre, Gilbert Scott Building
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1818334941...
A designed graphic with text reading: "EVENT. SHUT UP! Should offensive speech be free? There has never been a more important time to talk about talking. Join Prof Adam Tomkins and the John Smith Centre to examine how to navigate free speech. 28 October 2025, 6.00-8.00pm, Humanities Lecture Theatre, Gilbert Scott Building, Glasgow. With Prof Adam Tomkins, John Millar Chair of Public Law." The graphic also shows the logos of the John Smith Centre and the University of Glasgow.
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
Toadstools running wild
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
Published today: on how to fix free speech in Britain (for those who think it may be broken) lawliberty.org/the-uks-spee...
The UK’s Speech Problem – Adam Tomkins
If free speech is broken in Britain, here’s how to fix it.
lawliberty.org
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
I’m glad you’ve said this. I was wondering what “serious disruption to the life of the community” was doing in these provisions if it didn’t capture what the H Sec appears to be seeking to capture.
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
It’s not an exact analogy, but the UK Govt published 15 “Scotland Analysis Papers” in 2012-14, in the run-up to the indyref, the first of which was formal legal advice on what independence would mean. Thereafter, the entirety of the UK Govt’s position on indy rested on that legal advice.
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by Adam Tomkins

View post

by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
A new review essay by me on free speech and true speech, published today: lawliberty.org/book-review/...
In Pursuit of True Speech – Adam Tomkins
A new history tries to highlight a middle path between free speech absolutism and pure censorship. It does not quite succeed.
lawliberty.org
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
The only thing worse than academics running the academy is academics having to stand open-mouthed and aghast whilst they watch others running the academy. (You can add “into the ground” to the end of that sentence if you wish.)
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by Aileen McHarg — Reposted by Adam Tomkins, Mark Elliott, Gráinne McKeever

aileenmcharg.bsky.social
Another opportunity to join Durham Law School as a three-year career development fellow in public law. A great Law School and a vibrant public law community with opportunities to teach in both core and optional modules, and excellent support for research. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DNX378/c...
Career Development Fellow in Public Law at Durham University
Searching for an academic job? Explore this Career Development Fellow in Public Law opening on jobs.ac.uk! Click to view more details and browse other academic jobs.
www.jobs.ac.uk
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
Fewer than would have been ideal, I grant you.
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
I read every evidence session the Committee held, and I will read the report this week coming. It was perfectly clear from the questions asked what direction the Cmte would head in, and equally clear that the Cmte would make a complete hash of it. Not Parliament’s finest brains, nor its finest hour.
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Reposted by Adam Tomkins

hartpublishing.bsky.social
The audiobook of 'On the Law of Speaking Freely' by @proftomkins.bsky.social is out now!

The book tackles the problems of contemporary free speech law by applying the lessons of the past to address the challenges of the present.

🎧 Find out more: buff.ly/V00s6Fk
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
For this week only, Hart are selling my book at a 30% discount, for £17.49. It’s a steal! Head over to Hart’s website to order it.
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Reposted by Adam Tomkins

hartpublishing.bsky.social
The audiobook of 'On the Law of Speaking Freely' by @proftomkins.bsky.social is now available to pre-order!

🎧 Find out more: buff.ly/CfWyv86
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Reposted by Adam Tomkins

esclh.bsky.social
BOOK: Adam TOMKINS, On the Law of Speaking Freely (London: Bloomsbury/Hart, 2025), 280 p. ISBN 9781509972104, 22,49 GB

esclh.blogspot.com/2025/07/book...
BOOK: Adam TOMKINS, On the Law of Speaking Freely (London: Bloomsbury/Hart, 2025), 280 p. ISBN 9781509972104, 22,49 GBP
(image source: Bloomsbury/Hart ) Abstract: This book tackles the most pressing problems of contemporary free speech law by examining where...
esclh.blogspot.com
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
Good points. Is it also true that there is only so far a tree can grow before it starts to rot, or gets blown down in a gale? (How far can one extend the metaphor?)
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
Many congrats on this, Paul. The PL team at Glasgow will support this in any way we can. Great stuff 👌
paulfscott.bsky.social
Paul F Scott @paulfscott.bsky.social · Jun 11
Pleased to have been awarded some money by the Society of Legal Scholars to do an event on 'Economic Aspects of the Constitution' later in the year. Call for papers to follow.
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Reposted by Adam Tomkins

paulfscott.bsky.social
Pleased to have been awarded some money by the Society of Legal Scholars to do an event on 'Economic Aspects of the Constitution' later in the year. Call for papers to follow.
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
The audiobook of On the Law of Speaking Freely will be published on 10 July (the paperback and E-book editions are out now). In advance of the audiobook being released, here’s a clip:—

m.soundcloud.com/bloomsburypu...
On the Law of Speaking Freely written and read by Adam Tomkins
Play On the Law of Speaking Freely written and read by Adam Tomkins from Bloomsbury Publishing. Play audiobooks and excerpts on SoundCloud desktop and mobile.
m.soundcloud.com
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Reposted by Adam Tomkins

jameschalmers.bsky.social
Likely not wholly coincidental, but I see Hart have published not one but two books on free speech today (one by my colleague @proftomkins.bsky.social): likely a nice review essay opportunity for someone. (Here: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/on-the-la... and here: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/free-spee...)
Cover of Tomkins, On the Law of Speaking Freely Cover of Wragg, Free Speech Theory
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
Oh. I didn’t know this. Thanks 🙏

by Adam Tomkins — Reposted by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
This is now out in the world:
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
Only in the the sense that Orwell could sound this way, surely.
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
I love this thread. It makes me feel … not alone.
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
Available at discounted price here: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/on-the-la...
On the Law of Speaking Freely
This book tackles the most pressing problems of contemporary free speech law by examining where the idea of free expression came from in the first place, applyi…
www.bloomsbury.com
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
You can stand me lunch next time 😊

by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
Weren’t you Commons folks busy today?
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by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
I enjoyed the session. Thank you for inviting me. I hope you found it useful.
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by Adam Tomkins — Reposted by Adam Tomkins

proftomkins.bsky.social
A lot of fun being back at the House of Lords Constitution Committee this morning giving evidence (aka my spring statement) about the rule of law.
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