Jim Kelly
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Jim Kelly
@james-kelly.bsky.social
290 followers 330 following 24 posts

Professor of Political Science, Concordia University. Donner Prize Finalist 2005, 2024. Judicial politics. Retired QB. Toronto Blue Jays fan. Belfast born 🇮🇪 @JamesB_Kelly https://www.ubcpress.ca/james-b-kelly

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Political science 21%
History 17%
Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Robert C. Richards

cmewing.bsky.social
Connor Ewing @cmewing.bsky.social · 6d
👀 Coming soon 👀

james-kelly.bsky.social
Jim Kelly @james-kelly.bsky.social · 13d
nationalpost.com/news/politic...
As the floor-crossing dust settles, Conservatives are bracing for more defections
After MP Michael Ma crossed the floor from the Conservatives to the Liberals, it's the best of times for Liberals and the worst for the CPC.
nationalpost.com

Reposted by Jim Kelly

jaredwesley.ca
Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 14d
We also found that party defections tend to come in bunches as often as solo acts. Expect more rumors and machinations over the holiday break.

Our new book makes a great Christmas gift for potential floor-crossers and political observers alike!

partyloyalty.ca

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Jacob T. Levy, Samantha Brennan

rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social
Research Group on Constitutional Studies, McGill University @rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social · 14d
Today RGCS faculty member Daniel Weinstock was formally inducted into the Order of Canada!

Story from when the selection was first announced: www.mcgill.ca/law/channels...

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Aileen McHarg

markmcgeoghegan.bsky.social
Mark McGeoghegan @markmcgeoghegan.bsky.social · 16d
Labour are down seven points on the constituency vote and four points on the list vote, with declines in net satisfaction with both Keir Starmer and Anas Sarwar.

Reposted by Jim Kelly

markusoff.bsky.social
Jason Markusoff @markusoff.bsky.social · 19d
Why Danielle Smith's government is not withstanding so many court challenges:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... by me
ANALYSIS | UCP government keeps blocking or nixing Alberta court challenges. Why? | CBC News
From transgender policies to referendums to "conservative" party names, the Alberta UCP has stepped in where others have feared to tread.
www.cbc.ca

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Rory O’Connell

aileenkavanagh.bsky.social
Aileen Kavanagh @aileenkavanagh.bsky.social · 23d
Overjoyed that my book The Collaborative Constitution @cambup-law.cambridge.org has won The Inner Temple Main Author Book Prize 2025! Great to celebrate with my fellow finalists Sean Coyle, Liron Schmilovitz & @vmantouvalou.bsky.social & the New Author winner Brooke Marshall.

Reposted by Jim Kelly

bjpir.bsky.social
BJPIR @bjpir.bsky.social · Nov 26
📣 New #openaccess #BJPIR article out now!

'The environment as a second policy dimension in a deeply divided society: The politics of Northern Ireland’s Lough Neagh crisis' by @tagarin.bsky.social, @lpcooley.bsky.social & Elliott Hill

🔗 buff.ly/qq0JKZc

@polstudiesassoc.bsky.social
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
buff.ly

Reposted by Jim Kelly

tommasopavone.bsky.social
Tommaso Pavone @tommasopavone.bsky.social · Nov 24
Do you research judicial politics/legal mobilisation/empirical legal studies in the European Union? Submit your paper/panel proposal for the @ecprsgeu.bsky.social conference in Catania, Sicily on July 1-3 2026! @dnaurin.bsky.social & I are section co-chairs. Deadline Dec 10: ecpr.eu/Events/Event...

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Feargal Cochrane

allimcculloch.bsky.social
Allison McCulloch @allimcculloch.bsky.social · Nov 23
We've just launched a new policy brief series, evaluating the Dayton Agreement at 30. A partnership between @inclusivepeaceora.bsky.social and the Forum of Federations, our first brief examines public opinions on constitutional reform options in BiH. Read it here: www.forumfed.org/collection/f...
Federalism, Power-sharing, and Citizen Inclusion: Evaluating the Dayton Agreement at 30 Archives - Forum of Federations
Policy Brief Series November 21, 2025, marks 30 years since an agreement to end the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina was reached. The Dayton Agreement established an uneasy peace as well as a complex con...
www.forumfed.org

Reposted by Jim Kelly

ericadams99.bsky.social
Eric M. Adams @ericadams99.bsky.social · Nov 14
Beyond thrilled for this rave review from @johnibbitson.bsky.social in the @theglobeandmail.com for our book, Challenging Exile: Japanese Canadians and the Wartime Constitution. Now available @ubcpress.bsky.social and fine bookstores.

www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/book...
Challenging Exile is essential reading for history buffs
The book tells the story of Japanese Canadians who were deported to Japan after the end of the Second World War
www.theglobeandmail.com

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Michael J. Nelson, Robert Huber

bjpols.bsky.social
British Journal of Political Science @bjpols.bsky.social · Nov 13
NEW -

Leveling and Spotlighting: How the European Court of Justice Favors the Weak to Promote Its Legitimacy - https://cup.org/4oWD6ZT

- @silje-hermansen.bsky.social, @tommasopavone.bsky.social & @louisabo.bsky.social

#OpenAccess
BJPolS abstract discussing the impact of international courts like the European Court of Justice on individual rights and civil society, highlighting their role in promoting legal claims and supporting networks.

Reposted by Jim Kelly

doubleaspect.blog
Leonid Sirota @doubleaspect.blog · Nov 10
New post: further notwithstanding clause mythbusting, to follow-up on my op-ed in the National Post last week.
Notwithstanding Myths
The case for the notwithstanding clause rests on misunderstanding or misdirection.
doubleaspect.blog

Reposted by Jim Kelly

forwardcanada.bsky.social
Forward Canada @forwardcanada.bsky.social · Nov 7
David King sat at the Alberta cabinet table as the Minister of Education when the Notwithstanding Clause was discussed as part of the 1982 Constitution patriation project.

He confirms it was never meant to be used the way it's being used by Smith's government now.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
Opinion: Notwithstanding clause never meant to be used to benefit the government
Dave King was was there when clause was born in Alberta cabinet. It was never meant to be used for the benefit of the government itself.
calgaryherald.com

Reposted by Jim Kelly

jaredwesley.ca
Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · Nov 4
D'Entremont's comments are typical of floor crossers: nodding to personal conviction, constituents' interests, and the common good.

The next few hours will be a struggle between the Liberals and Conservatives to control the narrative.

Learn more in our latest book: partyloyalty.ca.

Reposted by Jim Kelly

partyloyalty.bsky.social
No I in Team: The Book @partyloyalty.bsky.social · Nov 1
Join us and Tom Mulcair in Montreal to launch our book!

Reposted by Jim Kelly

uoftpress.bsky.social
University of Toronto Press @uoftpress.bsky.social · Oct 31
“This book is essential reading for anyone interested in loyalty, dissent, and betrayal in political parties and legislative politics.” Rob Currie-Wood, @mountroyalu.bsky.social

Learn more: bit.ly/43FUlFX

@alexmarland.bsky.social @jaredwesley.ca @mireillelalancette.bsky.social
#PoliSci

Reposted by Jim Kelly

paulfscott.bsky.social
Paul F Scott @paulfscott.bsky.social · Oct 30
'The king is sending royal warrants to the lord chancellor to secure the removal of the dukedom from the peerage roll, and the title of prince and style of Royal Highness.' www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Prince Andrew to be stripped of titles and move out of Royal Lodge
King’s brother will become known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, Buckingham Palace says, in latest fallout from Epstein scandal
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Jim Kelly, W. Andy Knight

lukaszukab.bsky.social
Hon. Thomas A. Lukaszuk @lukaszukab.bsky.social · Oct 28
Today, I submitted 456,365 Albertans’ signatures to Elections Alberta, petitioning the Premier to do the right thing, avoid a divisive and economically harmful referendum, and allow MLAs to vote and reaffirm that Alberta’s future is in Canada.🇨🇦

Alberta is #ForeverCanadian

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Lindsay M. Tedds

jaredwesley.ca
Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · Oct 28
"Bill 2 is perfectly legal."

"The kids need to go back to class."

I agree.

That doesn't mean the premier should've done an endrun around the legislature and the courts.

If the back-to-work law was defensible, why didn't she defend it before leaving the country?

open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Alberta Strong and Free, Notwithstanding
The UCP's Bill 2 skirts the legislature and the courts, leaving it up to the public to push back swiftly
open.substack.com

Reposted by Jim Kelly

jackliddall16.bsky.social
Jack Liddall @jackliddall16.bsky.social · Oct 20
📘 Delighted that my first peer-reviewed article has been published @bjpir.bsky.social

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧 It explores the accountability of intergovernmental policymaking between Scotland, Wales and UK.

🔓 Open access: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

🙏 Thanks @psa-parliaments.bsky.social for all the support!

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Laurent Pech, Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche , and 2 more

icon-s.bsky.social
ICON•S @icon-s.bsky.social · Oct 14
📢The 2026 ICON•S Annual Conference Call for Submissions is out!

Join us in #Dublin from June 29 – July 1, 2026!

Read the 🧵for details ⬇️

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Steve Peers

publiclaw.bsky.social
Public Law @publiclaw.bsky.social · Oct 13
In memory of Conor Gearty, Public Law's 2007 symposium on his Hamlyn Lectures, "Can Human Rights Survive?" is available to read here: www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk/content/dam/...
www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Lawrence B. Solum, Jacob T. Levy

rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social
Research Group on Constitutional Studies, McGill University @rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social · Oct 3
New from RGCS alum Erin Crandall (PhD '13), Associate Professor of Politics at Acadia, and coauthors Andrea Lawlor and Shauna Hughey, in the Canadian Journal of Political Science

"Negative Spotlight: Event-Driven Effects on Support for the Canadian Supreme Court"

doi.org/10.1017/S000...
Abstract Longstanding public support for the Supreme Court of Canada is well-documented and contributes to its public legitimacy. However, the sources of this support and how vulnerable it may be to political factors or negative coverage of events are not well understood. In February of 2023, Justice Russell Brown took a leave of absence from the Supreme Court following a conduct complaint under review by the Canadian Judicial Council. Justice Brown retired from the bench in June of that year, before the CJC concluded its investigation. In the intervening period, media coverage of the events that prompted the attention from the CJC thrust the Court into the spotlight. Using data from an original two-wave survey experiment (n = 1,222) from May and November of 2023, we investigate whether perspectives toward the circumstances surrounding Brown’s retirement hurt perceptions of the Court’s legitimacy. We find that the event did not disrupt support for the Court over time but also point to the ways in which opinion toward the Court changed pre- and post-resignation. These findings suggest that support toward Canada’s high court is at present largely stable even in the case of negative coverage of a high-profile event. However, we also acknowledge the potential vulnerabilities that negative coverage of the Court may present.

Reposted by Simon Hix, Sara B. Hobolt, Jim Kelly , and 2 more

epssnet.bsky.social
EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · Sep 23
📢 Call for Papers for EPSS 2026 conference in Belfast is out: epssnet.org/belfast-2026...

We'll feature two sections each Tuesday & Thursday to provide more information about the conference.

🔝 This Tuesday: Party Politics & Historical Political Economy
Call for Papers | EPSS Belfast 2026 Conference
Submit your abstract or full paper for EPSS Belfast 2026. Share cutting‑edge political science research, network with peers & contribute to academic impact.
epssnet.org

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Patrick O’Brien, Michael Veale , and 3 more

colinmurray.bsky.social
Colin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · Sep 12
A lovely tribute from Áras an Uachtaráin to mark Professor Conor Gearty's passing:

president.ie/en/media-lib...

Reposted by Jim Kelly

rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social
Research Group on Constitutional Studies, McGill University @rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social · Sep 12
New book w chapters coauthored by RGCS alums Erin Crandall (PhD '13), (Acadia), and Kate Puddister (PhD '11), (Guelph).

Emmett Macfarlane @emmettmacfarlane.com , ed., Rights and Parliamentary Systems in Canada and Beyond, University of Toronto Press, 2025.

utppublishing.com/doi/book/10....

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Eoin Daly

tjmcintyre.com
TJ McIntyre @tjmcintyre.com · Sep 12
Very sad to hear of the untimely death of Conor Gearty, a lovely individual, one of our finest legal academics, and a central figure in promoting human rights worldwide.

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Steven Pressman

aphclarkson.bsky.social
Alexander Clarkson @aphclarkson.bsky.social · Apr 9
The only dollar you can rely on

Reposted by Jim Kelly

seinfeldism.bsky.social
Seinfeldism @seinfeldism.bsky.social · Jun 14
In a classic *Seinfeld* episode, George gets called out for double dipping a chip at a funeral, when “Timmy” tells him it’s as bad as “putting your whole mouth into the dip.” But is it really that bad?