Ben Yong

Report on the Roles and Functions of the Scottish Law Officers This is a Report on research into the roles and functions of the Scottish Law Officers.

www.gov.scot/publications... - published today

Must watch!

can we see it online?

Omg

Mandates, lockdowns, billions spent: The key findings of the Covid inquiry phase 2 report The report ultimately reasons that decisions made at the time were “balanced and reasonable”.

Excellent summary of the inquiry findings here from Emma Ricketts at Stuff as well.

I just posted my article, “Presidentialism at the Highest Ebb: Executive Power in the Age of Trump,” on @ssrn.bsky.social. The paper is forthcoming in the Dayton Law Review.

papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

The UK’s public leadership pipeline has fallen into disrepair Institutions are failing to deliver basic commitments because of failures of leadership

One of the oddest features of the Coalition is that they delighted in criticising the civil service’s lack of skills whilst cutting back on civil service training. www.ft.com/content/3599... The UK’s public leadership pipeline has fallen into disrepair

Interesting project! "The initial idea behind this project was to encourage our young people to think about our democracy, threats to its integrity, solutions to those threats and to encourage participation in our democratic processes." H/t @drdeanknight.bsky.social

www.cullen.nz/strengthenin...

Counter terrorism detectives identify Russian involvement in cargo fires Counter Terrorism Policing London became involved after a package in a depo in Minworth, Birmingham, ignited in July 2024.

news.met.police.uk/news/counter...

Inside the fight to fix Parliament by Westminster Insider The Palace of Westminster towers over the River Thames as a symbol of British democracy. But look a little closer and the building is falling apart.

I spoke to Patrick Baker from @politico.eu for this week's episode of Westminster Insider, which focuses on the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster. Listen here megaphone.link/POLL4915318489

And more specifically, the denigration of the civil service -- which was definitely a bipartisan project. Turns out a strong public sector makes our lives better and is a crucial bulwark against democratic backsliding.

.... then they should get out of the pot #dadjoke

VG

Once again Oxbridge has nothing on Durham #Durhamnumber1

“excessive reliance on AI leads me to the inescapable question: Why are you in this field?”

British Academy response to the Department for Education's technical consultation on the Interational Student Levy 18 February 2026 Background The Department for Education is consulting on the proposed levy on international student income, due to be introduced in England in August 2028.

‘We remain deeply concerned that universities will be unable to absorb the cost of the levy’s
introduction. The loss of cross-subsidy for domestic teaching & research will harm
universities’ ability to deliver their core functions’
Our response to the levy
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/documents/60...

‘It’s not me saying this; it’s research, undertaken by the Electoral Commission.’

www.electoralcommission.org.uk/research-rep...

2026 AUAC Conference: Who is Responsible for the Archives? Who is Responsible for the Archives? An Interdisciplinary Approach to Ethics in a Digital Age When: Friday 26 June 2026, 9:00–5:00 pm Where: Aston University campus in Birmingham, UK, and online (hybr...

Consider submitting a proposal for this upcoming hybrid conference on Archives and Ethics! Experts from all fields are welcome! padlet.com/dturner2_23/... @astonuniversity.bsky.social @astonpress.bsky.social

The Representation of the People Bill: contours of the debates to come The government’s long-awaited proposals for electoral reforms, published last month, will receive their first scrutiny in the House of Commons next Monday. Ahead of that debate, Alan Renwick analys…

*Representation of the People Bill update*

Steve Reed has just announced: 'We will repeal in full the power for government to impose a strategy and policy statement on the Electoral Commission'.

A very welcome change. I set out last week why it was needed.

constitution-unit.com/2026/02/26/t...

Hiring established scholars to junior Oxbridge roles imperils disciplines As lay-offs continue elsewhere, postdocs’ inability to land permanent roles will block the pipeline of future faculty, Cambridge academics argue

Raises some important issues but also ignores the fact that many Humanities staff outside the magic circle are facing redundancy. They are naturally willing, indeed desperate, to apply for entry-level Oxbridge posts. The situation is grim. 1/2

University courses should be about acquiring skills, not just a job | Letters Letters: Pete Dorey and Pat Stevenson respond to a letter that made the argument for employers funding universities

'To me, education is inherently worthwhile – but I am probably a deluded old dinosaur.'

Summary of the UK Government legal position: The legality of defensive action in respect of Iranian regional attacks Summary of the UK Government legal position: The legality of defensive action in respect of Iranian regional attacks

Legal advice re use of UK bases for attacks on Iranian missile bases now published www.gov.uk/government/n...

I'm delighted to share that this article will be published in the @yalelawjournal.bsky.social.

As promised, I've posted the draft @ssrn.bsky.social: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

"be market competitive ... but not like that"

should be a really interesting read

New report by the Constitution [etc] Committee of the Scottish Parliament: digitalpublications.parliament.scot/Committees/R...

Both the report and evidence base (see www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-...) are valuable resources in the debate about democratic pathways to an independence referendum.

“Step up to red alert!”
“Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb.” Best line ever.
youtu.be/81W8tG3wH_4?...

OUCH

I feel this shop is trying to tell me something

Durham has a book festival in oct....