Alexander Horne
@legalmusings.bsky.social
Barrister. Commentator. Visiting Prof @ Durham University. Former parliamentary lawyer & special adviser UK Parliament (JCHR, EU, Women & Equalities; International Agreements). Musings on law, politics & restaurants . Personal views.
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📍LDN/BX
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Reposted by Alexander Horne
Disappointing to see this response by @chrisbryant1962.bsky.social on the question of scrutiny of trade agreements.
The U.K. system under CRaG is hopeless. Everyone knows it. Labour’s approach is exactly the same as the Conservatives. Shameful.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
The U.K. system under CRaG is hopeless. Everyone knows it. Labour’s approach is exactly the same as the Conservatives. Shameful.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Written questions and answers - 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 4, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Disappointing to see this response by @chrisbryant1962.bsky.social on the question of scrutiny of trade agreements.
The U.K. system under CRaG is hopeless. Everyone knows it. Labour’s approach is exactly the same as the Conservatives. Shameful.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
The U.K. system under CRaG is hopeless. Everyone knows it. Labour’s approach is exactly the same as the Conservatives. Shameful.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Disappointing to see this response by @chrisbryant1962.bsky.social on the question of scrutiny of trade agreements.
The U.K. system under CRaG is hopeless. Everyone knows it. Labour’s approach is exactly the same as the Conservatives. Shameful.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
The U.K. system under CRaG is hopeless. Everyone knows it. Labour’s approach is exactly the same as the Conservatives. Shameful.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Written questions and answers - 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 4, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Disappointing to see this response by @chrisbryant1962.bsky.social on the question of scrutiny of trade agreements.
The U.K. system under CRaG is hopeless. Everyone knows it. Labour’s approach is exactly the same as the Conservatives. Shameful.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
The U.K. system under CRaG is hopeless. Everyone knows it. Labour’s approach is exactly the same as the Conservatives. Shameful.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Reposted by Alexander Horne
On the 75th anniversary of the ECHR, I pose the question - is now the time for reform?
My latest piece for @thespectator1828.bsky.social
www.spectator.co.uk/article/can-...
My latest piece for @thespectator1828.bsky.social
www.spectator.co.uk/article/can-...
Can the European Convention on Human Rights survive?
Today is the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights. In spite of its longevity, the Convention faces a number of challenges, and this is perhaps not the happiest of birthdays. In ...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 6:42 AM
On the 75th anniversary of the ECHR, I pose the question - is now the time for reform?
My latest piece for @thespectator1828.bsky.social
www.spectator.co.uk/article/can-...
My latest piece for @thespectator1828.bsky.social
www.spectator.co.uk/article/can-...
Reposted by Alexander Horne
In the UK the Convention faces a significant challenge. For the first time, both the Conservatives and Reform will enter the next general election pledging to withdraw from it.
✍️ Alexander Horne
✍️ Alexander Horne
Can the European Convention on Human Rights survive?
Today is the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights. In spite of its longevity, the Convention faces a number of challenges, and this is perhaps not the happiest of birthdays. In...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 8:10 AM
In the UK the Convention faces a significant challenge. For the first time, both the Conservatives and Reform will enter the next general election pledging to withdraw from it.
✍️ Alexander Horne
✍️ Alexander Horne
On the 75th anniversary of the ECHR, I pose the question - is now the time for reform?
My latest piece for @thespectator1828.bsky.social
www.spectator.co.uk/article/can-...
My latest piece for @thespectator1828.bsky.social
www.spectator.co.uk/article/can-...
Can the European Convention on Human Rights survive?
Today is the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights. In spite of its longevity, the Convention faces a number of challenges, and this is perhaps not the happiest of birthdays. In ...
www.spectator.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 6:42 AM
On the 75th anniversary of the ECHR, I pose the question - is now the time for reform?
My latest piece for @thespectator1828.bsky.social
www.spectator.co.uk/article/can-...
My latest piece for @thespectator1828.bsky.social
www.spectator.co.uk/article/can-...
The problem with Monbiot’s proposal is that there is no agreed definition of ‘fundamental rights’ and that many consider that the ambit of ‘rights’ has been expanded so far that they cover many politically contested areas.
The Spectator and others have chosen (deliberately I suspect) to interpret this article as a desire to stop a future Reform UK government from legislating. My purpose is to stop *any* government crushing our fundamental rights. It’s just more urgent now. 🧵 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We must act now: without a written constitution, Reform UK will have carte blanche to toxify our nation | Goerge Monbiot
It means breaking with hundreds of years of tradition, but it can’t wait. As hard-right figures spread division and laud autocrats, a fail-safe is vital, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The problem with Monbiot’s proposal is that there is no agreed definition of ‘fundamental rights’ and that many consider that the ambit of ‘rights’ has been expanded so far that they cover many politically contested areas.
Reposted by Alexander Horne
Periodic reminder that Erskine May is freely available online
October 23, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Periodic reminder that Erskine May is freely available online
Reposted by Alexander Horne
Slightly later than expected, we're delighted to announce that @tweaty-twacker.bsky.social is back. It posts every time a treaty is laid before the UK Parliament under the procedure set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
October 24, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Slightly later than expected, we're delighted to announce that @tweaty-twacker.bsky.social is back. It posts every time a treaty is laid before the UK Parliament under the procedure set out in the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
This is well worth watching.
1/9 the video of my UCL current legal problems lecture is now up: "Bureaucracy and Distrust: The Civil Service in the Constitution". It looks at the civil service’s constitutional foundations, and how it might respond to a populist govt. @sirjjkc.bsky.social chairs.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx3P...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx3P...
Bureaucracy and Distrust: The Civil Service in the Constitution
YouTube video by UCL Laws
www.youtube.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:35 AM
This is well worth watching.
An interesting post by @davidallengreen.bsky.social on the Aston Villa-Maccabi Tel Aviv conundrum.
I confess that I think there ought to be some restriction on a country restricting away fans (unless such a punishment is recommended by UEFA) as it must impact on fairness…
I confess that I think there ought to be some restriction on a country restricting away fans (unless such a punishment is recommended by UEFA) as it must impact on fairness…
October 21, 2025 at 9:49 AM
An interesting post by @davidallengreen.bsky.social on the Aston Villa-Maccabi Tel Aviv conundrum.
I confess that I think there ought to be some restriction on a country restricting away fans (unless such a punishment is recommended by UEFA) as it must impact on fairness…
I confess that I think there ought to be some restriction on a country restricting away fans (unless such a punishment is recommended by UEFA) as it must impact on fairness…
I agree with Joshua that this intervention is by the Human Rights Commissioner is spectacularly badly timed.
At a moment where two of the four largest political parties in the UK are advocating an exit from the Convention system, his criticisms seem tin eared.
At a moment where two of the four largest political parties in the UK are advocating an exit from the Convention system, his criticisms seem tin eared.
The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner has intervened in a series of criminal prosecutions currently before the courts of England and Wales.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/policing-p...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/policing-p...
Policing protest prosecutions
Council of Europe human rights commissioner seeks to lay down the law
rozenberg.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:40 AM
I agree with Joshua that this intervention is by the Human Rights Commissioner is spectacularly badly timed.
At a moment where two of the four largest political parties in the UK are advocating an exit from the Convention system, his criticisms seem tin eared.
At a moment where two of the four largest political parties in the UK are advocating an exit from the Convention system, his criticisms seem tin eared.
Having returned from a long weekend in Vienna, I confess I am slightly struggling for a fantastic restaurant recommendation.
The best I managed was a spot called Meissl & Schadn, which combined a civilised room and lovely staff with a pretty good veal schnitzel. Worth a visit if you are in town.
The best I managed was a spot called Meissl & Schadn, which combined a civilised room and lovely staff with a pretty good veal schnitzel. Worth a visit if you are in town.
October 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Having returned from a long weekend in Vienna, I confess I am slightly struggling for a fantastic restaurant recommendation.
The best I managed was a spot called Meissl & Schadn, which combined a civilised room and lovely staff with a pretty good veal schnitzel. Worth a visit if you are in town.
The best I managed was a spot called Meissl & Schadn, which combined a civilised room and lovely staff with a pretty good veal schnitzel. Worth a visit if you are in town.
Lovely to catch up with my friend and former colleague Holger Hestermeyer at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna yesterday.
I hope we will bs collaborating on some more work on treaty scrutiny next year.
I hope we will bs collaborating on some more work on treaty scrutiny next year.
October 11, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Lovely to catch up with my friend and former colleague Holger Hestermeyer at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna yesterday.
I hope we will bs collaborating on some more work on treaty scrutiny next year.
I hope we will bs collaborating on some more work on treaty scrutiny next year.
Reposted by Alexander Horne
With even Labour now accepting that serious change is needed, it appears the status quo is politically indefensible.
✍️ Alexander Horne
✍️ Alexander Horne
This is Labour’s last chance to save the ECHR
One of Kemi Badenoch’s biggest announcements ahead of Conservative party conference was her pledge to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). On Sunday, she said that exiting the ECHR...
www.spectator.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 12:15 PM
With even Labour now accepting that serious change is needed, it appears the status quo is politically indefensible.
✍️ Alexander Horne
✍️ Alexander Horne
A new piece by me for the Spectator on the ECHR.
Now Kemi has opted for the ‘simple’ option of leaving the Convention, it leaves Labour facing some tricky questions on human rights reform:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/this...
Now Kemi has opted for the ‘simple’ option of leaving the Convention, it leaves Labour facing some tricky questions on human rights reform:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/this...
This is Labour’s last chance to save the ECHR
One of Kemi Badenoch’s biggest announcements ahead of Conservative party conference was her pledge to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). On Sunday, she said that exiting the ECHR wo...
www.spectator.co.uk
October 6, 2025 at 10:39 AM
A new piece by me for the Spectator on the ECHR.
Now Kemi has opted for the ‘simple’ option of leaving the Convention, it leaves Labour facing some tricky questions on human rights reform:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/this...
Now Kemi has opted for the ‘simple’ option of leaving the Convention, it leaves Labour facing some tricky questions on human rights reform:
www.spectator.co.uk/article/this...
Looking back on the events yesterday. It is truly troubling to think that - following the murder of two Jewish people outside a synagogue during Yom Kippur - some people thought it appropriate to undertake violent protests in Westminster against the world’s only Jewish state.
October 3, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Looking back on the events yesterday. It is truly troubling to think that - following the murder of two Jewish people outside a synagogue during Yom Kippur - some people thought it appropriate to undertake violent protests in Westminster against the world’s only Jewish state.
Reposted by Alexander Horne
Viewing the remains of the Carey Street (RCJ) Banksy in person last night provoked me to write a short blog for the excellent Ideas Lab Substack (run by my friend and former parliamentary colleague @eliotwilson.bsky.social
theideaslab.substack.com/p/guest-post...
theideaslab.substack.com/p/guest-post...
Guest post: The Carey Street Banksy—a symbol of broken Britain?
The guerrilla mural of a caricatured judge and a noble protestor is hardly high art, but its appearance and semi-removal read like metaphors, writes Alexander Horne
theideaslab.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Viewing the remains of the Carey Street (RCJ) Banksy in person last night provoked me to write a short blog for the excellent Ideas Lab Substack (run by my friend and former parliamentary colleague @eliotwilson.bsky.social
theideaslab.substack.com/p/guest-post...
theideaslab.substack.com/p/guest-post...
Viewing the remains of the Carey Street (RCJ) Banksy in person last night provoked me to write a short blog for the excellent Ideas Lab Substack (run by my friend and former parliamentary colleague @eliotwilson.bsky.social
theideaslab.substack.com/p/guest-post...
theideaslab.substack.com/p/guest-post...
Guest post: The Carey Street Banksy—a symbol of broken Britain?
The guerrilla mural of a caricatured judge and a noble protestor is hardly high art, but its appearance and semi-removal read like metaphors, writes Alexander Horne
theideaslab.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Viewing the remains of the Carey Street (RCJ) Banksy in person last night provoked me to write a short blog for the excellent Ideas Lab Substack (run by my friend and former parliamentary colleague @eliotwilson.bsky.social
theideaslab.substack.com/p/guest-post...
theideaslab.substack.com/p/guest-post...
Irrespective of one’s views of the artistic merits of the Banksy, this shows everything that’s wrong with Britain at the moment.
The state decides it won’t put up with something and sends a man with a high viz jacket out..
But it cannot even do the job of erasing it properly.
The state decides it won’t put up with something and sends a man with a high viz jacket out..
But it cannot even do the job of erasing it properly.
September 18, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Irrespective of one’s views of the artistic merits of the Banksy, this shows everything that’s wrong with Britain at the moment.
The state decides it won’t put up with something and sends a man with a high viz jacket out..
But it cannot even do the job of erasing it properly.
The state decides it won’t put up with something and sends a man with a high viz jacket out..
But it cannot even do the job of erasing it properly.
This summer I was lucky enough to go on a gastronomic tour of the South of France, taking in Beaulieu sur Mer, Nice, St Paul de Vence, Mougins and Marseille. We ate very well throughout, and I’m happy to make a number of restaurant recommendations for anyone who might be interested…
September 16, 2025 at 9:43 AM
This summer I was lucky enough to go on a gastronomic tour of the South of France, taking in Beaulieu sur Mer, Nice, St Paul de Vence, Mougins and Marseille. We ate very well throughout, and I’m happy to make a number of restaurant recommendations for anyone who might be interested…
I’ll be participating in a webinar this afternoon on the proscription of Palestine Action.
The event is being held by the Parliament, Public Administration and Constitution Hub in Westminster and I will be debating with Nour Haider, Alex Gask and @daniellalock.bsky.social
The event is being held by the Parliament, Public Administration and Constitution Hub in Westminster and I will be debating with Nour Haider, Alex Gask and @daniellalock.bsky.social
September 16, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I’ll be participating in a webinar this afternoon on the proscription of Palestine Action.
The event is being held by the Parliament, Public Administration and Constitution Hub in Westminster and I will be debating with Nour Haider, Alex Gask and @daniellalock.bsky.social
The event is being held by the Parliament, Public Administration and Constitution Hub in Westminster and I will be debating with Nour Haider, Alex Gask and @daniellalock.bsky.social
Reflecting on the Graham Lineham story this morning, unless there is something more that hasn’t been reported, assuming that the Met Police was responsible for this ‘operation’ I think the Commissioner should resign.
September 3, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Reflecting on the Graham Lineham story this morning, unless there is something more that hasn’t been reported, assuming that the Met Police was responsible for this ‘operation’ I think the Commissioner should resign.
Reposted by Alexander Horne
The UK government certainly has a problem with asylum seekers. But neither of the initiatives it has announced during the past week suggests it has a solution.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/asylum-pro...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/asylum-pro...
Asylum problems
But where are the solutions?
rozenberg.substack.com
August 25, 2025 at 5:03 AM
The UK government certainly has a problem with asylum seekers. But neither of the initiatives it has announced during the past week suggests it has a solution.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/asylum-pro...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/asylum-pro...
Will look at this proposed new asylum appeal scheme with interest. But I am inherently sceptical.
If the new ‘adjudicators’ are not judges, then there will likely be JRs of their decision in the courts.
If they are, it’s a rebranding exercise.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
If the new ‘adjudicators’ are not judges, then there will likely be JRs of their decision in the courts.
If they are, it’s a rebranding exercise.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Government plans to overhaul asylum appeals system
The government would establish a new and independent body, with the aim of hearing cases more quickly.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 24, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Will look at this proposed new asylum appeal scheme with interest. But I am inherently sceptical.
If the new ‘adjudicators’ are not judges, then there will likely be JRs of their decision in the courts.
If they are, it’s a rebranding exercise.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
If the new ‘adjudicators’ are not judges, then there will likely be JRs of their decision in the courts.
If they are, it’s a rebranding exercise.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Alexander Horne
Loved the music, hated the hall - pace purists, but it's time for some inauthentic solutions to early music at the Proms...
★★★★ #BBCProms #LeConcertSpirituel #HerveNiquet - Monumental works don't quite make for monumental sounds in @royalalberthall.bsky.social - @alexandracoghlan.bsky.social is struck by super-sized polyphonic rarities & impressed by monumental effort in performance www.theartsdesk.com/classical-mu...
BBC Proms: Le Concert Spirituel, Niquet review - super-sized polyphonic rarities
There’s a Proms paradox that’s familiar to Early Music fans. Some works are too challenging – too big, too expensive, too uncommercial, too obscure – to do anywhere else. The trouble is, the Royal Alb...
www.theartsdesk.com
August 18, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Loved the music, hated the hall - pace purists, but it's time for some inauthentic solutions to early music at the Proms...