Ben Yong
@bymyong.bsky.social
"Estimable" Sir Jonathan Jones KC
Associate Prof in Public Law, Durham Law School. Looks at how legislatures and govt works. https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/benjamin-y-yong/
Mastodon: @[email protected]
Associate Prof in Public Law, Durham Law School. Looks at how legislatures and govt works. https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/benjamin-y-yong/
Mastodon: @[email protected]
Reposted by Ben Yong
*small embarrassed voice*
A little plug for my article on Devon book sales c. 1700, which has gone online open access. tl;dr book auctions weren't just a London/Oxbridge thing: a flourishing second-hand book market centred on Exeter included auctions from the 1680s.
doi.org/10.1093/libr...
A little plug for my article on Devon book sales c. 1700, which has gone online open access. tl;dr book auctions weren't just a London/Oxbridge thing: a flourishing second-hand book market centred on Exeter included auctions from the 1680s.
doi.org/10.1093/libr...
A Provincial Market in Second-Hand Books: Book Sales in Devon, 1688–1725
Abstract. Comparatively little is known about England’s early book-auction trade outside of London and the university towns, with few catalogues surviving
doi.org
November 27, 2025 at 9:31 AM
*small embarrassed voice*
A little plug for my article on Devon book sales c. 1700, which has gone online open access. tl;dr book auctions weren't just a London/Oxbridge thing: a flourishing second-hand book market centred on Exeter included auctions from the 1680s.
doi.org/10.1093/libr...
A little plug for my article on Devon book sales c. 1700, which has gone online open access. tl;dr book auctions weren't just a London/Oxbridge thing: a flourishing second-hand book market centred on Exeter included auctions from the 1680s.
doi.org/10.1093/libr...
Reposted by Ben Yong
For some reasons, @eppgroup.bsky.social has decided to emulate Orban’s autocratic playbook and target civil society actors. This comes at a time where EPP AFCO Chair previously did his best to normalise fake judges and anti-rule of law pseudo “experts”
Last week, we called on the progressive groups in the European Parliament to boycott the working group set up by the @eppgroup.bsky.social that will scrutinise, stigmatise and ultimately harm civil society actors.
Last night, they did.
Read our boycott letter: buff.ly/o1wqpnx
Last night, they did.
Read our boycott letter: buff.ly/o1wqpnx
November 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM
For some reasons, @eppgroup.bsky.social has decided to emulate Orban’s autocratic playbook and target civil society actors. This comes at a time where EPP AFCO Chair previously did his best to normalise fake judges and anti-rule of law pseudo “experts”
Reposted by Ben Yong
Stewart Duncan: Reforming Holyrood’s Committees: A Constitutional Perspective ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/11/27/s...
Stewart Duncan: Reforming Holyrood’s Committees: A Constitutional Perspective
Committees, scrutiny and the distribution of power at Holyrood From when the Scottish Parliament was first established, much was asked of its committee system. In a unicameral legislature, without …
ukconstitutionallaw.org
November 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Stewart Duncan: Reforming Holyrood’s Committees: A Constitutional Perspective ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/11/27/s...
Man I hate sky online and automated customer services. My router is dead, but the chat bot insists I must do all the online tests. MY ROUTER IS DEAD. It is no more, bereft of life, it rests in peace. It is an ex-router. It has passed on. Ffs
November 27, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Man I hate sky online and automated customer services. My router is dead, but the chat bot insists I must do all the online tests. MY ROUTER IS DEAD. It is no more, bereft of life, it rests in peace. It is an ex-router. It has passed on. Ffs
Reposted by Ben Yong
And I’m very pleased that Katrina is one of the contributors to next Spring’s @publiclaw.bsky.social Special Issue “40 Years of the Public Order Act 1986” looking at the immediate history and political context to the Act, drawing on archival sources
I'm in conversation with Timothy Garton Ash in the new issue of BBC History magazine and podcast.
We're discussing the history of policing protest and public order legislation.
We're discussing the history of policing protest and public order legislation.
November 27, 2025 at 8:32 AM
And I’m very pleased that Katrina is one of the contributors to next Spring’s @publiclaw.bsky.social Special Issue “40 Years of the Public Order Act 1986” looking at the immediate history and political context to the Act, drawing on archival sources
FML a *sweltering* 12 degrees at Durham. Wearing t shirt
November 27, 2025 at 8:18 AM
FML a *sweltering* 12 degrees at Durham. Wearing t shirt
Reposted by Ben Yong
Chief exec of OfS 'said the OfS believes there are 24 institutions at risk of exiting the market in the next 12 months, seven of which are large providers with more than 3,000 students. There are another 25 or so institutions of various sizes at risk over a two- to three-year period, she added.'
Seven ‘large providers’ at risk of going under in the next year
Skills minister says no higher education institutions are at imminent risk of collapse this year but OfS confirms more than 20 providers are being closely monitored
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Chief exec of OfS 'said the OfS believes there are 24 institutions at risk of exiting the market in the next 12 months, seven of which are large providers with more than 3,000 students. There are another 25 or so institutions of various sizes at risk over a two- to three-year period, she added.'
Reposted by Ben Yong
It beggars belief that Labour are taxing universities’ most lucrative revenue streams at a time when three quarters of them are in the red
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
It beggars belief that Labour are taxing universities’ most lucrative revenue streams at a time when three quarters of them are in the red
I missed this when it came out: The Legislative standards of the
Constitution Committee, 2017–2024--which shows the kinds of matters the Committee might consider in scrutinising a bill
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
Constitution Committee, 2017–2024--which shows the kinds of matters the Committee might consider in scrutinising a bill
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
November 25, 2025 at 5:13 PM
I missed this when it came out: The Legislative standards of the
Constitution Committee, 2017–2024--which shows the kinds of matters the Committee might consider in scrutinising a bill
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
Constitution Committee, 2017–2024--which shows the kinds of matters the Committee might consider in scrutinising a bill
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
Reposted by Ben Yong
Sometimes wonder if what the UK needs is a thinktank that doesn't do any new research, it just repeats obviously true statements that people try to ignore because they're inconvenient.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Sometimes wonder if what the UK needs is a thinktank that doesn't do any new research, it just repeats obviously true statements that people try to ignore because they're inconvenient.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
International students cross-subsidise home students. Your pension is paid for out of general taxation.
Reposted by Ben Yong
here's your headline:
They (OfS) still expect 45% of ALL universities to report a deficit this academic year. They are not accounting for "significant variation" across the system (i.e. different types and sizes of institution).
They (OfS) still expect 45% of ALL universities to report a deficit this academic year. They are not accounting for "significant variation" across the system (i.e. different types and sizes of institution).
November 25, 2025 at 10:16 AM
here's your headline:
They (OfS) still expect 45% of ALL universities to report a deficit this academic year. They are not accounting for "significant variation" across the system (i.e. different types and sizes of institution).
They (OfS) still expect 45% of ALL universities to report a deficit this academic year. They are not accounting for "significant variation" across the system (i.e. different types and sizes of institution).
1/9 I LOVE the intro chapter of this book on close reading. We do close reading in law, too. It shows concretely how close reading is done, in 5 steps: scene setting, noticing, local claiming, regional argumentation and global theorizing.
Am I the first law professor wanting to assign parts of this book to law students, esp. the Introduction by @johannawinant.bsky.social and @dan-sinnamon.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
1/9 I LOVE the intro chapter of this book on close reading. We do close reading in law, too. It shows concretely how close reading is done, in 5 steps: scene setting, noticing, local claiming, regional argumentation and global theorizing.
Reposted by Ben Yong
‘The UK’s biggest error has been to make war on its own strengths’
November 25, 2025 at 9:31 AM
‘The UK’s biggest error has been to make war on its own strengths’
Reposted by Ben Yong
🚨 LSE Assistant Professor in Political Science 🚨
We’re hiring a tenure-track assistant professor - any area of empirical political science - to join our wonderful Government Dept @lsegovernment.bsky.social
Any questions, please reach out to me
📣 Please share! 📣
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
We’re hiring a tenure-track assistant professor - any area of empirical political science - to join our wonderful Government Dept @lsegovernment.bsky.social
Any questions, please reach out to me
📣 Please share! 📣
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
November 25, 2025 at 8:38 AM
🚨 LSE Assistant Professor in Political Science 🚨
We’re hiring a tenure-track assistant professor - any area of empirical political science - to join our wonderful Government Dept @lsegovernment.bsky.social
Any questions, please reach out to me
📣 Please share! 📣
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
We’re hiring a tenure-track assistant professor - any area of empirical political science - to join our wonderful Government Dept @lsegovernment.bsky.social
Any questions, please reach out to me
📣 Please share! 📣
jobs.lse.ac.uk/Vacancies/W/...
Reposted by Ben Yong
How are people chosen for honours? How does the system work behind the scenes? Could it be improved?
On 9 December, join Sue Owen, Peter Riddell and Dominic Grieve to discuss just this at our free, online event.
Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
On 9 December, join Sue Owen, Peter Riddell and Dominic Grieve to discuss just this at our free, online event.
Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
November 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM
How are people chosen for honours? How does the system work behind the scenes? Could it be improved?
On 9 December, join Sue Owen, Peter Riddell and Dominic Grieve to discuss just this at our free, online event.
Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
On 9 December, join Sue Owen, Peter Riddell and Dominic Grieve to discuss just this at our free, online event.
Sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/social-histo....
Reposted by Ben Yong
Absolutely terrifying perfect about what happened when one editor started digging into a pitch that was too good to be true, and uncovered countless AI-generated fake articles in international outlets under the same byline
A plea to all outlets - start training people to spot this stuff
A plea to all outlets - start training people to spot this stuff
November 24, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Absolutely terrifying perfect about what happened when one editor started digging into a pitch that was too good to be true, and uncovered countless AI-generated fake articles in international outlets under the same byline
A plea to all outlets - start training people to spot this stuff
A plea to all outlets - start training people to spot this stuff
Reposted by Ben Yong
Are you worried about the devastating cuts we are seeing to arts, humanities & social sciences in UK universities? Last call for my lecture in Leicester this Thurs 27th Nov on the value of these subjects and how they support UK security, cohesion and prosperity www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shaping-a-...
Shaping a Brighter Future
The first event in our Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture Series, delivered by Hetan Shah, Chief Executive, The British Academy
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Are you worried about the devastating cuts we are seeing to arts, humanities & social sciences in UK universities? Last call for my lecture in Leicester this Thurs 27th Nov on the value of these subjects and how they support UK security, cohesion and prosperity www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shaping-a-...
feels like a book I should read
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/030016539...
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/030016539...
November 24, 2025 at 7:37 PM
feels like a book I should read
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/030016539...
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/030016539...
Reposted by Ben Yong
Reminder:
I'll be speaking about our book on legislatures and armed forces at UCL with Dominic Grieve and Veronika Fifak on 27 Nov at 18:15.
I'll be speaking about our book on legislatures and armed forces at UCL with Dominic Grieve and Veronika Fifak on 27 Nov at 18:15.
Which civilians play the most important roles in controlling the armed forces?
This Thursday, join @plagasse.bsky.social, Dominic Grieve and @profveronika.bsky.social to discuss Philippe Lagassé's new book, Overseen or Overlooked? Legislators, Armed Forces, and Democratic Accountability.
Sign up 👇
This Thursday, join @plagasse.bsky.social, Dominic Grieve and @profveronika.bsky.social to discuss Philippe Lagassé's new book, Overseen or Overlooked? Legislators, Armed Forces, and Democratic Accountability.
Sign up 👇
Legislative Oversight of the Armed Forces
Which civilians play the most important roles in controlling the armed forces?
www.ucl.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Reminder:
I'll be speaking about our book on legislatures and armed forces at UCL with Dominic Grieve and Veronika Fifak on 27 Nov at 18:15.
I'll be speaking about our book on legislatures and armed forces at UCL with Dominic Grieve and Veronika Fifak on 27 Nov at 18:15.
Reposted by Ben Yong
It would have been hard to believe, when I moved to the UK over 15 yrs ago to start my PhD at Edinburgh, that successive Conservative and Labour governments would actively undermine one of the UK's most successful and strategic sectors and run it to the ground. Unbelievable, really. And here we are
November 23, 2025 at 10:44 PM
It would have been hard to believe, when I moved to the UK over 15 yrs ago to start my PhD at Edinburgh, that successive Conservative and Labour governments would actively undermine one of the UK's most successful and strategic sectors and run it to the ground. Unbelievable, really. And here we are
Reposted by Ben Yong
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
These are HEPI estimates of the 20 institutions affected: I think this illustrates the impact if the tariff is absorbed in full by institutions.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
What share of the 6% tariff different universities may try to pass on to fees - or the impact might be on demand if they did - is not publicly known.
Reposted by Ben Yong
To be clear, this is a tariff on our own exports.
Yes, it will raise money - tariffs do. The question is whether it will also cut exports from one of our core economic strengths- HE.
Yes, it will raise money - tariffs do. The question is whether it will also cut exports from one of our core economic strengths- HE.
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 23, 2025 at 10:15 PM
To be clear, this is a tariff on our own exports.
Yes, it will raise money - tariffs do. The question is whether it will also cut exports from one of our core economic strengths- HE.
Yes, it will raise money - tariffs do. The question is whether it will also cut exports from one of our core economic strengths- HE.
Reposted by Ben Yong
Privacy commissioner insists New Zealand's laws need modernising - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/579020/privacy-commissioner-insists-new-zealand-s-laws-need-modernising - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news
Privacy commissioner insists New Zealand's laws need modernising
The commission's annual report says financial incentives for people to take privacy seriously are lacking.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 23, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Privacy commissioner insists New Zealand's laws need modernising - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/579020/privacy-commissioner-insists-new-zealand-s-laws-need-modernising - Details and more news at: https://nzccl.org.nz/news
Reposted by Ben Yong
Wondering once again if the wholesale dismantling of modern languages in U.K. universities is a national security issue.
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas
Nottingham and Leicester are taking a swing at language departments. But those proposing closures have taken their eye off the ball, say four linguists
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Wondering once again if the wholesale dismantling of modern languages in U.K. universities is a national security issue.
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
Reposted by Ben Yong
“The glaring weaknesses of prisoners’ Welsh language rights also demand fresh consideration of the anomalous constitutional arrangements governing prisons in Wales. The only
common law country in the world to have its own legislature and executive without its own justice system.” 1/2
common law country in the world to have its own legislature and executive without its own justice system.” 1/2
Commissioner to investigate HM Prison and Probation Service
Stephen Price The Welsh Language Commissioner has announced that an investigation will be conducted to consider how HM Prison and Probation Service implements its Welsh language scheme following claim...
nation.cymru
November 22, 2025 at 9:52 AM
“The glaring weaknesses of prisoners’ Welsh language rights also demand fresh consideration of the anomalous constitutional arrangements governing prisons in Wales. The only
common law country in the world to have its own legislature and executive without its own justice system.” 1/2
common law country in the world to have its own legislature and executive without its own justice system.” 1/2