Rajiv Shah
@rajivshah.bsky.social
Interested in law, politics, the constitution, and policy. Former special adviser in MOJ, AGO, and No 10.
@RajivShah90 at the other place
@RajivShah90 at the other place
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
We had a discussion a while ago as to why the (UK) government can't indefinitely prorogue Parliament.
The US is illustrating why.
The government needs Acts to raise taxes and authorise spending.
/1
The US is illustrating why.
The government needs Acts to raise taxes and authorise spending.
/1
Trump's mechanism to pay the troops during the shutdown is by far the most illegal budgetary action he's taken as POTUS, potentially setting the stage to break everything.
It's also needless because Congress would easily pass a troop pay bill if Johnson were willing to gavel in.
Long thread.
It's also needless because Congress would easily pass a troop pay bill if Johnson were willing to gavel in.
Long thread.
October 15, 2025 at 9:30 PM
We had a discussion a while ago as to why the (UK) government can't indefinitely prorogue Parliament.
The US is illustrating why.
The government needs Acts to raise taxes and authorise spending.
/1
The US is illustrating why.
The government needs Acts to raise taxes and authorise spending.
/1
It's deeply unfortunate - but telling - that defenders of the ECHR say torture when they talk about Article 3, when it is actually so much more and allows arguments about anxiety to be made
Yet to see anyone willing to defend fact a risk of slap on the face can block removal (Bouyid v Belgium)
Yet to see anyone willing to defend fact a risk of slap on the face can block removal (Bouyid v Belgium)
September 27, 2025 at 10:59 AM
It's deeply unfortunate - but telling - that defenders of the ECHR say torture when they talk about Article 3, when it is actually so much more and allows arguments about anxiety to be made
Yet to see anyone willing to defend fact a risk of slap on the face can block removal (Bouyid v Belgium)
Yet to see anyone willing to defend fact a risk of slap on the face can block removal (Bouyid v Belgium)
On BBC2 Living Next to Putin, it was reported that Poland pushes back (without processing) asylum seekers who arrived from Belarus.
Yet Donald Tusk remains a European darling. Why? (Cf the criticisms of the Tories for Rwanda)
Yet Donald Tusk remains a European darling. Why? (Cf the criticisms of the Tories for Rwanda)
September 14, 2025 at 7:33 PM
On BBC2 Living Next to Putin, it was reported that Poland pushes back (without processing) asylum seekers who arrived from Belarus.
Yet Donald Tusk remains a European darling. Why? (Cf the criticisms of the Tories for Rwanda)
Yet Donald Tusk remains a European darling. Why? (Cf the criticisms of the Tories for Rwanda)
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
I strongly encourage UK MPs and peers to look at what has happened in New Zealand since the introduction of assisted dying. Safeguards are rarely ever as strong as advocates suggest, and the “slippery slope” is a real risk
writes Simon O'Connor, former chair of the NZ parliament's health committee
writes Simon O'Connor, former chair of the NZ parliament's health committee
New Zealand shows why UK politicians must be wary about assisted dying reassurances
I strongly encourage British parliamentarians to look at what has happened in New Zealand since the introduction of assisted dying.
www.politicshome.com
September 12, 2025 at 7:54 AM
I strongly encourage UK MPs and peers to look at what has happened in New Zealand since the introduction of assisted dying. Safeguards are rarely ever as strong as advocates suggest, and the “slippery slope” is a real risk
writes Simon O'Connor, former chair of the NZ parliament's health committee
writes Simon O'Connor, former chair of the NZ parliament's health committee
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
It’s not too late: the House of Lords can still protect disabled people from this dangerous assisted dying bill | Lucy Webster
It’s not too late: the House of Lords can still protect disabled people from this dangerous assisted dying bill | Lucy Webster
MPs passed it without sufficient safeguarding. If there is any point to the upper chamber, it is to give the legislation the open debate we need, says political journalist and author Lucy Webster
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:39 PM
It’s not too late: the House of Lords can still protect disabled people from this dangerous assisted dying bill | Lucy Webster
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
Assisted dying bill is a ‘licence to kill’, Theresa May says
Assisted dying bill is a ‘licence to kill’, Theresa May says
Former prime minister makes comments as Lords debate legislation for England and Wales for first time
*
UK politics live – latest updates
The bill to legalise assisted dying is a “licence to kill” that puts vulnerable people at risk, Theresa May has said, as the legislation was debated in the House of Lords for the first time.
The former prime minister said she opposed the bill because she said people in England and Wales with disabilities, chronic illnesses or mental health conditions could feel under pressure to end their lives, and “because there is a risk that legalising assisted dying reinforces the dangerous notion that some lives are less worth living than others”. She added: “I have a friend who calls it ‘the licence to kill bill’.” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Assisted dying bill is a ‘licence to kill’, Theresa May says
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
It is “constitutionally appropriate” for the House of Lords to scrutinise the assisted dying bill “and, if so minded, vote to amend or reject it”, the Lords constitution committee says in a report issued ahead of today’s second reading debate.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/lords-free...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/lords-free...
Lords free to reject bill
Assisted dying bill lacks detail, peers say, and clause is ‘highly skeletal’
rozenberg.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 5:02 AM
It is “constitutionally appropriate” for the House of Lords to scrutinise the assisted dying bill “and, if so minded, vote to amend or reject it”, the Lords constitution committee says in a report issued ahead of today’s second reading debate.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/lords-free...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/lords-free...
Excellent post pointing out the criticisms of the Constitution and Delegated Powers Committee
Stephen Tierney: The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – a dangerous licence for executive law-making ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/09/12/s...
Stephen Tierney: The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – a dangerous licence for executive law-making
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is now in the House of Lords. After months of frantic activity in the Commons there is an opportunity for Parliament to draw breath and for the upper ho…
ukconstitutionallaw.org
September 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Excellent post pointing out the criticisms of the Constitution and Delegated Powers Committee
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
Stephen Tierney: The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – a dangerous licence for executive law-making ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/09/12/s...
Stephen Tierney: The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – a dangerous licence for executive law-making
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is now in the House of Lords. After months of frantic activity in the Commons there is an opportunity for Parliament to draw breath and for the upper ho…
ukconstitutionallaw.org
September 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Stephen Tierney: The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – a dangerous licence for executive law-making ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/09/12/s...
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
There's a lot that looks sensible in the No 10 reshuffle but I can't help thinking that Starmer getting rid of aides because of dleivery issues is a bit like blaming the Ocado man because you forgot to order the chicken
September 1, 2025 at 11:34 AM
There's a lot that looks sensible in the No 10 reshuffle but I can't help thinking that Starmer getting rid of aides because of dleivery issues is a bit like blaming the Ocado man because you forgot to order the chicken
The Guardian charges Farage of Trumpism but the Trump admin is still complying with the Torture Convention: for those who are at a real risk of torture in their country of origin, Trump is sending them to South Sudan.
August 27, 2025 at 6:35 AM
The Guardian charges Farage of Trumpism but the Trump admin is still complying with the Torture Convention: for those who are at a real risk of torture in their country of origin, Trump is sending them to South Sudan.
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
I support assisted dying in principle...
But legalising it under THESE circumstances... is voting to kill thousands of poor people, who can't afford decent end-of-life care. #AssistedDyingBill
But legalising it under THESE circumstances... is voting to kill thousands of poor people, who can't afford decent end-of-life care. #AssistedDyingBill
June 20, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I support assisted dying in principle...
But legalising it under THESE circumstances... is voting to kill thousands of poor people, who can't afford decent end-of-life care. #AssistedDyingBill
But legalising it under THESE circumstances... is voting to kill thousands of poor people, who can't afford decent end-of-life care. #AssistedDyingBill
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
I didn’t support the Assisted Dying Bill at Second Reading, a decision I reached after a great deal of thought.
Since then, several reasonable safeguards have been rejected, which has only deepened my concerns about this Bill.
I’ll be voting against at Third Reading today.
Since then, several reasonable safeguards have been rejected, which has only deepened my concerns about this Bill.
I’ll be voting against at Third Reading today.
I’ll be voting against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill today.
This deeply sensitive issue demands rigorous safeguards and investment in palliative care to protect vulnerable people.
My full statement here:
This deeply sensitive issue demands rigorous safeguards and investment in palliative care to protect vulnerable people.
My full statement here:
June 20, 2025 at 9:23 AM
I didn’t support the Assisted Dying Bill at Second Reading, a decision I reached after a great deal of thought.
Since then, several reasonable safeguards have been rejected, which has only deepened my concerns about this Bill.
I’ll be voting against at Third Reading today.
Since then, several reasonable safeguards have been rejected, which has only deepened my concerns about this Bill.
I’ll be voting against at Third Reading today.
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
Allowing assisted dying while savagely cutting PIP is telling disabled people they're allowed to die with dignity but not to live with dignity
June 20, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Allowing assisted dying while savagely cutting PIP is telling disabled people they're allowed to die with dignity but not to live with dignity
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
Strong statement from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. “We cannot support the Terminally Ill Adults Bill as it stands”
www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default...
www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default...
May 13, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Strong statement from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. “We cannot support the Terminally Ill Adults Bill as it stands”
www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default...
www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default...
A devastating report
The Bill is unsafe and unworkable
The Bill is unsafe and unworkable
@rcpsych.bsky.social cannot support the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill for England and Wales in its current form and is once again urging MPs to look at our concerns ahead of the pivotal Commons Report stage debate and Third Reading. More here: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-fea...
www.rcpsych.ac.uk
May 13, 2025 at 11:02 PM
A devastating report
The Bill is unsafe and unworkable
The Bill is unsafe and unworkable
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
@rcpsych.bsky.social cannot support the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill for England and Wales in its current form and is once again urging MPs to look at our concerns ahead of the pivotal Commons Report stage debate and Third Reading. More here: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-fea...
www.rcpsych.ac.uk
May 13, 2025 at 10:01 PM
@rcpsych.bsky.social cannot support the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill for England and Wales in its current form and is once again urging MPs to look at our concerns ahead of the pivotal Commons Report stage debate and Third Reading. More here: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-fea...
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
6 Reasons To Oppose The Assisted Dying Bill:
❌Devaluing of Our Lives
❌Exacerbates Systemic Inequalities
❌Inadequate Health and Care Services
❌Conflicting NHS Cultures
❌Insufficient Safeguards
❌Poor Parliamentary Process
Read more detail⬇️
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/say-no-...
❌Devaluing of Our Lives
❌Exacerbates Systemic Inequalities
❌Inadequate Health and Care Services
❌Conflicting NHS Cultures
❌Insufficient Safeguards
❌Poor Parliamentary Process
Read more detail⬇️
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/say-no-...
www.disabilityrightsuk.org
April 22, 2025 at 9:33 AM
6 Reasons To Oppose The Assisted Dying Bill:
❌Devaluing of Our Lives
❌Exacerbates Systemic Inequalities
❌Inadequate Health and Care Services
❌Conflicting NHS Cultures
❌Insufficient Safeguards
❌Poor Parliamentary Process
Read more detail⬇️
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/say-no-...
❌Devaluing of Our Lives
❌Exacerbates Systemic Inequalities
❌Inadequate Health and Care Services
❌Conflicting NHS Cultures
❌Insufficient Safeguards
❌Poor Parliamentary Process
Read more detail⬇️
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/say-no-...
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
The bad news is that assisted suicide will harm the vulnerable and dehumanise people.
But at least the government thinks it will save money for the NHS! So who can say whether it's good or not. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
But at least the government thinks it will save money for the NHS! So who can say whether it's good or not. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Assisted dying impact assessment to put price on enacting change in England and Wales
Long-awaited document, which could be published as soon as Friday, is expected to make difficult reading
www.theguardian.com
May 1, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The bad news is that assisted suicide will harm the vulnerable and dehumanise people.
But at least the government thinks it will save money for the NHS! So who can say whether it's good or not. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
But at least the government thinks it will save money for the NHS! So who can say whether it's good or not. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
📺 BASW has been lobbying MPs to extend legal protections for social workers in the assisted dying bill, ensuring parity with nurses and doctors.
Thank you Danny Kruger MP for raising this issue in parliament and securing an assurance that social workers will now get these protections in law.
Thank you Danny Kruger MP for raising this issue in parliament and securing an assurance that social workers will now get these protections in law.
March 21, 2025 at 9:04 AM
📺 BASW has been lobbying MPs to extend legal protections for social workers in the assisted dying bill, ensuring parity with nurses and doctors.
Thank you Danny Kruger MP for raising this issue in parliament and securing an assurance that social workers will now get these protections in law.
Thank you Danny Kruger MP for raising this issue in parliament and securing an assurance that social workers will now get these protections in law.
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
One thing about the disability benefits news, it makes me even more confident in my opposition to assisted dying, because yeah both parties see disabled people as a burden
March 18, 2025 at 7:41 PM
One thing about the disability benefits news, it makes me even more confident in my opposition to assisted dying, because yeah both parties see disabled people as a burden
The Canadian Federal Court rejected the Miller 2 test (as opposed to finding that it applied but was not met on the facts)
March 7, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The Canadian Federal Court rejected the Miller 2 test (as opposed to finding that it applied but was not met on the facts)
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
I decided to write something about some of the things being said in British parliamentary committee on assisted dying.
open.substack.com/pub/mssineno...
open.substack.com/pub/mssineno...
British Parliament Is Getting Some Very Bad Advice On Assisted Dying Bill.
Self perceived burden (SPB) and Thwarted Belongingness (TB) are flags for suicide prevention not assistance.
open.substack.com
February 26, 2025 at 11:17 PM
I decided to write something about some of the things being said in British parliamentary committee on assisted dying.
open.substack.com/pub/mssineno...
open.substack.com/pub/mssineno...
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
ON THE BLOG: Why the French parliament tried to introduce PMQs
@calixtebloquet.bsky.social and @ruxandrasrbn.bsky.social explain why French politicians decided to experiment with a French version of PMQs. This is the first of a 2-part series on PMQs in France.
@calixtebloquet.bsky.social and @ruxandrasrbn.bsky.social explain why French politicians decided to experiment with a French version of PMQs. This is the first of a 2-part series on PMQs in France.
Why the French parliament tried to introduce Prime Minister’s Questions
In 2024 the French National Assembly initiated a trial period during which the country’s prime minister would answer questions in parliament alone, rather than together with their ministers, …
constitution-unit.com
February 26, 2025 at 12:07 PM
ON THE BLOG: Why the French parliament tried to introduce PMQs
@calixtebloquet.bsky.social and @ruxandrasrbn.bsky.social explain why French politicians decided to experiment with a French version of PMQs. This is the first of a 2-part series on PMQs in France.
@calixtebloquet.bsky.social and @ruxandrasrbn.bsky.social explain why French politicians decided to experiment with a French version of PMQs. This is the first of a 2-part series on PMQs in France.
Reposted by Rajiv Shah
Sir James Munby, former head of the Family Division of the High Court, has given his opinion on the supposedly improved Assisted Suicide Bill. His view: "it still falls lamentably short of providing adequate safeguards". transparencyproject.org.uk/assisted-dyi...
ASSISTED DYING : WHAT ROLE FOR THE TRIBUNAL? THOUGHTS ON THE LATEST PROPOSALS
This is a guest post by Sir James Munby, and it follows on from earlier posts about the proposed Assisted Dying reforms here, here and here.
In Assisted
transparencyproject.org.uk
February 21, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Sir James Munby, former head of the Family Division of the High Court, has given his opinion on the supposedly improved Assisted Suicide Bill. His view: "it still falls lamentably short of providing adequate safeguards". transparencyproject.org.uk/assisted-dyi...