Paul Evans
@courtenayilbert.bsky.social
Retired Clerk in House of Commons, continuing as a parliamentary nerd; Victorian by nature; books and buildings biggest passions. Lives in and cares about Wales.
Reposted by Paul Evans
Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?
Earlier this week we were joined by @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons.
Listen to a recording 👉 linktr.ee/constitution....
Or watch a recording 👇
Earlier this week we were joined by @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons.
Listen to a recording 👉 linktr.ee/constitution....
Or watch a recording 👇
Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?
The 2024 election delivered an unusually fragmented opposition; almost half the non-government seats in the House of Commons were won by parties other than the Conservative 'Official Opposition'.…
www.youtube.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Can the House of Commons handle multi-party politics?
Earlier this week we were joined by @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons.
Listen to a recording 👉 linktr.ee/constitution....
Or watch a recording 👇
Earlier this week we were joined by @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons.
Listen to a recording 👉 linktr.ee/constitution....
Or watch a recording 👇
Reposted by Paul Evans
Does the House of Commons need to change to reflect a more fragmented politics?
In one hour, join @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons at our free, online event.
Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
In one hour, join @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons at our free, online event.
Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
January 19, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Does the House of Commons need to change to reflect a more fragmented politics?
In one hour, join @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons at our free, online event.
Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
In one hour, join @elliechowns.bsky.social, @courtenayilbert.bsky.social and @louisevthompson.bsky.social to discuss smaller parties in the Commons at our free, online event.
Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
The Ribble
The Tone. Yes. I know. Miss it, though!
My favorite Twitter prompt was "RT this with your home river," so reskeet this with your home river.
Mine is the Patuxent.
Mine is the Patuxent.
January 12, 2026 at 11:57 PM
The Ribble
Reposted by Paul Evans
There is, to my mind, no justification for the continued use by the UK Government of X as a platform for official comms. There hasn't been for some time, in fact, but if the latest developments around AI-generated image abuse and CSAM don't change the policy I really don't know what will.
NEW: People are using Elon Musk's chatbot, Grok, to alter images to depict real women being sexually abused, humiliated, hurt, and even killed.
futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com/future-socie...
Grok Is Being Used to Depict Horrific Violence Against Real Women
People are asking Elon Musk's Grok chatbot to alter images to depict women being sexually abused, humiliated, and even killed.
futurism.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:18 PM
There is, to my mind, no justification for the continued use by the UK Government of X as a platform for official comms. There hasn't been for some time, in fact, but if the latest developments around AI-generated image abuse and CSAM don't change the policy I really don't know what will.
A lonely, confused, slightly depressed, socially inadequate, Norwegian fisherman. Suits quite well.
Soooo I’m an interdimensional warlock-ninja.
Or a consulting detective, if we’re counting short stories.
Or a consulting detective, if we’re counting short stories.
December 31, 2025 at 12:33 AM
A lonely, confused, slightly depressed, socially inadequate, Norwegian fisherman. Suits quite well.
A more assertive and exciting report from the Commons Backbench Business Committee than I was anticipating, published yesterday. Longer thread from the UCL Constitution Unit below. (One slight correction - it describes me as the first Clerk of BBCom - I was in fact the second.)
The House of Commons Backbench Business Committee has today published a 15th anniversary report about its work and options for reform.
The report extensively cites Meg Russell and @hannahkelly.bsky.social's submission.
Read the report 👉 publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm....
The report extensively cites Meg Russell and @hannahkelly.bsky.social's submission.
Read the report 👉 publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm....
December 18, 2025 at 12:37 PM
A more assertive and exciting report from the Commons Backbench Business Committee than I was anticipating, published yesterday. Longer thread from the UCL Constitution Unit below. (One slight correction - it describes me as the first Clerk of BBCom - I was in fact the second.)
Further to my earlier response to this post, I today stumbled across the Report of the 2013 report of the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt201314/.... At paras 258-265 it discusses the very matter of MPs and witness summons./2
October 31, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Further to my earlier response to this post, I today stumbled across the Report of the 2013 report of the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt201314/.... At paras 258-265 it discusses the very matter of MPs and witness summons./2
Reposted by Paul Evans
It melts my head that X is still used for official Government communications, and, catching up on today's news and the fact we have a foreign billionaire inciting violence on our streets, it's clearer than ever that this should end.
I raised this in Parliament last week 👇
I raised this in Parliament last week 👇
September 14, 2025 at 12:12 AM
It melts my head that X is still used for official Government communications, and, catching up on today's news and the fact we have a foreign billionaire inciting violence on our streets, it's clearer than ever that this should end.
I raised this in Parliament last week 👇
I raised this in Parliament last week 👇
First conkers of 2025 - picked up in the bucolic surroundings of Heston M4 Services (Westbound since you ask). Autumn has definitely arrived. I love conkers - one of the greatest beauties in nature.
September 13, 2025 at 11:42 AM
First conkers of 2025 - picked up in the bucolic surroundings of Heston M4 Services (Westbound since you ask). Autumn has definitely arrived. I love conkers - one of the greatest beauties in nature.
Miller2 being a fine example of the Burkean constitutional model. UKSC, rightly dismissing the idea that prorogation was a proceeding of Parliament, noting that it was an unrestricted executive power, thwarted it, handing the reins back to Parliament which, unused to exercising any power, bungled it
Considered and informative the thread on the history of parliamentary sovereignty, from Professor @robertsaunders.bsky.social
I'd add that what "unlimited parliamentary supremacy" means in practice has changed over time.
The idea emerged in an era when there were two chambers with near-equal powers, party discipline was weak, the scope of legislation was less extensive & passing major legislation was genuinely hard. [...]
The idea emerged in an era when there were two chambers with near-equal powers, party discipline was weak, the scope of legislation was less extensive & passing major legislation was genuinely hard. [...]
August 29, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Miller2 being a fine example of the Burkean constitutional model. UKSC, rightly dismissing the idea that prorogation was a proceeding of Parliament, noting that it was an unrestricted executive power, thwarted it, handing the reins back to Parliament which, unused to exercising any power, bungled it
One can only congratulate the institute for Government for being willing to explore some of the most obscure corners of parliamentary procedure - in this case hybrid bill procedure. Surprisingly (to me) they are quite positive about it.
How can government legislate better to deliver major infrastructure projects? Fantastic new paper from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on how to improve the little-known hybrid bill procedure! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure | Institute for Government
How to improve the hybrid bill legislative process.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
July 24, 2025 at 11:50 AM
One can only congratulate the institute for Government for being willing to explore some of the most obscure corners of parliamentary procedure - in this case hybrid bill procedure. Surprisingly (to me) they are quite positive about it.
Had strange vision today of London deserted by climate change refugees (population of Scotland quadrupled) and public transport having become economically unviable so all those tunnels adapted to cycleways which intrepid tourists used to visit ruins of the Houses of Parliament, St James Desert, etc.
June 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Had strange vision today of London deserted by climate change refugees (population of Scotland quadrupled) and public transport having become economically unviable so all those tunnels adapted to cycleways which intrepid tourists used to visit ruins of the Houses of Parliament, St James Desert, etc.
So Bluesky is supposed to be "nice", but here is a supposedly respected contributor shamelessly trolling ordinary decent people who grew up in the 50s to 70s when 22 degrees was regarded as quite adequate for what we humorously called Flaming June. I wonder if they're a foreigner - or worse, young?
ok do NOT shout at me but the weather right now in London is maybe my personal ideal weather, it's exactly right, I'm so happy
June 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
So Bluesky is supposed to be "nice", but here is a supposedly respected contributor shamelessly trolling ordinary decent people who grew up in the 50s to 70s when 22 degrees was regarded as quite adequate for what we humorously called Flaming June. I wonder if they're a foreigner - or worse, young?
Possibly the first appearance of an iPad in English art - Tirzah Garwood (currently to be seen at Dulwich Picture Gallery).
May 18, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Possibly the first appearance of an iPad in English art - Tirzah Garwood (currently to be seen at Dulwich Picture Gallery).
1 Has any competent, Marxist-tinged cultural historian written a history of Eurovision? In my lifetime (to show you how old I am I'm still in love with Sandie Shaw) it seems to have passed through a number of distinct phases, and I wonder what this might tell us about the wider zeitgeist. /2
May 17, 2025 at 3:24 PM
1 Has any competent, Marxist-tinged cultural historian written a history of Eurovision? In my lifetime (to show you how old I am I'm still in love with Sandie Shaw) it seems to have passed through a number of distinct phases, and I wonder what this might tell us about the wider zeitgeist. /2
I hope the conference will look at the work of the Joint Committee on Human Rights. So I'm posting this to encourage former legal advisers, members and clerks to consider submitting something.
New call for papers for a conference on the impact of the Human Rights Act across multiple areas of law after 25 years in effect. Conference being put together by @echrhawk.bsky.social and @lewisgrahamlaw.bsky.social at @lawatleeds.bsky.social this September:
March 5, 2025 at 12:06 PM
I hope the conference will look at the work of the Joint Committee on Human Rights. So I'm posting this to encourage former legal advisers, members and clerks to consider submitting something.
An alarming proportion of people who follow me will be thrilled that the House of commons Procedure Committee has arrived on Bluesky. Let's hope this presages the arrival of many more select committees. If you follow one in particular, pile the pressure on for them to escape the cesspit of X.
Today the Committee will hear from the following witnesses for our inquiry into the status of independent MPs:
➡️ @shockatadam.bsky.social
➡️ Iqbal Mohamed MP
➡️ @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social
➡️ @ianbyrnemp.bsky.social
Watch live from 3pm: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
➡️ @shockatadam.bsky.social
➡️ Iqbal Mohamed MP
➡️ @johnmcdonnellmp.bsky.social
➡️ @ianbyrnemp.bsky.social
Watch live from 3pm: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
February 28, 2025 at 12:33 PM
An alarming proportion of people who follow me will be thrilled that the House of commons Procedure Committee has arrived on Bluesky. Let's hope this presages the arrival of many more select committees. If you follow one in particular, pile the pressure on for them to escape the cesspit of X.
For a long time I thought David Lynch and David Byrne were the same person.
January 17, 2025 at 9:53 AM
For a long time I thought David Lynch and David Byrne were the same person.
Reposted by Paul Evans
Re-post if you stand by Jess.
@jessphillipsmp.bsky.social
@jessphillipsmp.bsky.social
‘We stand by Jess’: Telford survivors criticise Musk’s attack on Phillips
Exclusive: Victims of male violence sign letter praising minister for devoting life to ‘fighting for women and girls’
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Re-post if you stand by Jess.
@jessphillipsmp.bsky.social
@jessphillipsmp.bsky.social
Why all this talk of the DUP *pulling* the Stormont Brake? Surely you *hit* the brake(s). Unless, of course, you are a joyrider performing a handbrake turn in an empty car park.
December 20, 2024 at 3:18 PM
Why all this talk of the DUP *pulling* the Stormont Brake? Surely you *hit* the brake(s). Unless, of course, you are a joyrider performing a handbrake turn in an empty car park.
I saw something somewhere recently showing that people thought MPs pay and Parliament was the second largest area of public spending. Can anyone tell me where this might have been?
December 16, 2024 at 11:58 PM
I saw something somewhere recently showing that people thought MPs pay and Parliament was the second largest area of public spending. Can anyone tell me where this might have been?
It's certainly more pleasing to gaze upon than that dreary lump of masonry that disfigures St James Park.
December 11, 2024 at 3:06 PM
It's certainly more pleasing to gaze upon than that dreary lump of masonry that disfigures St James Park.
Can I just say that you get a much better class of bitter argument over whether the facts are the facts, or over conspiracies (maybe of silence) or over allegations of four centuries worth of fake news here on Bluesky than you ever saw you know where.
1/2 Shakespeare authorship deniers (SADs) often ask why Shakespeare's death didn't cause greater public expressions of grief. But Shakespeare had left the stage years earlier and was living in Stratford, and his plays were still being regularly performed by his former fellows,
December 9, 2024 at 11:08 PM
Can I just say that you get a much better class of bitter argument over whether the facts are the facts, or over conspiracies (maybe of silence) or over allegations of four centuries worth of fake news here on Bluesky than you ever saw you know where.