Louise S
@louises.bsky.social
Academic teaching law (England and Wales) with obsessive interest in the subject, also general interest in books, philosophy, gaming, history, art. Views my own.
There was an Outer Limits episode, I think, about people who were on an alien planet where it never stopped raining. It drove them mad. Feels like that a bit recently.
‘Seasons have become confused’: the people struggling in UK’s relentless rain
‘Seasons have become confused’: the people struggling in UK’s relentless rain
A thatcher, gardener and others on keeping their business afloat in the bad weather – and their fears for the future
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:53 AM
There was an Outer Limits episode, I think, about people who were on an alien planet where it never stopped raining. It drove them mad. Feels like that a bit recently.
Reposted by Louise S
I never really sign stuff. But this was different. It's not about trying to facilitate or block a particular party's route to power. It's about an electoral system that's unsuited to the political realities we face today and risks giving us government after government with no convincing mandate.
Over 50 Academics Warn That Voting System Is Not Fit For Multi-Party Politics
Dozens of academics have written to the government to warn that the current voting system risks producing distorted results on an 'unprecedented' s...
www.politicshome.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:25 AM
I never really sign stuff. But this was different. It's not about trying to facilitate or block a particular party's route to power. It's about an electoral system that's unsuited to the political realities we face today and risks giving us government after government with no convincing mandate.
This was a good quick reaction from the PM instead of days of dithering. Maybe a sign of hope after McSweeny’s departure? Or am I just fooling myself?
It makes you wonder whether the whole ‘war on woke’ over the last few years was waged just so that men like Ratcliffe could be disgustingly racist again without any accountability.
PM tells Sir Jim Ratcliffe to apologise for saying UK 'colonised by immigrants' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
PM tells Sir Jim Ratcliffe to apologise for saying UK 'colonised by immigrants' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
PM tells Sir Jim Ratcliffe to apologise for saying UK 'colonised by immigrants'
Sir Keir Starmer said comments by the businessman and Manchester United co-owner were
www.bbc.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 6:51 AM
This was a good quick reaction from the PM instead of days of dithering. Maybe a sign of hope after McSweeny’s departure? Or am I just fooling myself?
Reposted by Louise S
My favorite artifact in the "you don't need AI to do art" discourse is, of course, screenwriter Dan O'Bannon's sketch of the facehugger to explain it to Giger.
February 7, 2026 at 6:39 PM
My favorite artifact in the "you don't need AI to do art" discourse is, of course, screenwriter Dan O'Bannon's sketch of the facehugger to explain it to Giger.
Reposted by Louise S
NEW BLOGPOST: Palestine Action: What just happened?
A look at some of the legal principles at play following yesterday's verdicts.
thesecretbarrister.com/2026/02/05/p...
A look at some of the legal principles at play following yesterday's verdicts.
thesecretbarrister.com/2026/02/05/p...
Palestine Action – what just happened?
Yesterday, six Palestine Action protestors were acquitted by a jury of aggravated burglary, following a break-in at an Elbit Systems UK factory near Bristol in August 2024. Three of the six were ac…
thesecretbarrister.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:12 PM
NEW BLOGPOST: Palestine Action: What just happened?
A look at some of the legal principles at play following yesterday's verdicts.
thesecretbarrister.com/2026/02/05/p...
A look at some of the legal principles at play following yesterday's verdicts.
thesecretbarrister.com/2026/02/05/p...
Reposted by Louise S
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean has taken over the role as Lord Speaker.
So what does the Lord Speaker do? Read our explainer to find out more about the role and how it is elected www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
So what does the Lord Speaker do? Read our explainer to find out more about the role and how it is elected www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
Lord Speaker | Institute for Government
What is the role of the Lord Speaker?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean has taken over the role as Lord Speaker.
So what does the Lord Speaker do? Read our explainer to find out more about the role and how it is elected www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
So what does the Lord Speaker do? Read our explainer to find out more about the role and how it is elected www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
Reposted by Louise S
Odd to see use of the Parliament Acts described as “unconstitutional”, even “unprecedented”.
It’s not unconstitutional for the Lords to vote against a Bill. Nor is it unconstitutional for the Parliament Acts to be used to pass a Bill approved by the Commons alone.
That is actually the constitution
It’s not unconstitutional for the Lords to vote against a Bill. Nor is it unconstitutional for the Parliament Acts to be used to pass a Bill approved by the Commons alone.
That is actually the constitution
January 29, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Odd to see use of the Parliament Acts described as “unconstitutional”, even “unprecedented”.
It’s not unconstitutional for the Lords to vote against a Bill. Nor is it unconstitutional for the Parliament Acts to be used to pass a Bill approved by the Commons alone.
That is actually the constitution
It’s not unconstitutional for the Lords to vote against a Bill. Nor is it unconstitutional for the Parliament Acts to be used to pass a Bill approved by the Commons alone.
That is actually the constitution
The list of people consulted seems to be missing one group - teenagers. Snapchat is how teens communicate. Ban it and you will destroy support and friendship networks.
Lords to vote on amendment that could bring in social media ban for under 16s
www.itv.com/news/2026-01...
www.itv.com/news/2026-01...
January 21, 2026 at 6:53 AM
The list of people consulted seems to be missing one group - teenagers. Snapchat is how teens communicate. Ban it and you will destroy support and friendship networks.
Reposted by Louise S
Since y'all asked nicely, here's my complete history of Robin of Sherwood. One of the finest TV shows ever made. Hugely influential. Most modern cinematic/TV Robin Hood tropes trace back to it.
As Herne would say:
"Nothing is forgotten. Nothing is ever forgotten."
authory.com/JohnBull/Not...
As Herne would say:
"Nothing is forgotten. Nothing is ever forgotten."
authory.com/JohnBull/Not...
January 6, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Since y'all asked nicely, here's my complete history of Robin of Sherwood. One of the finest TV shows ever made. Hugely influential. Most modern cinematic/TV Robin Hood tropes trace back to it.
As Herne would say:
"Nothing is forgotten. Nothing is ever forgotten."
authory.com/JohnBull/Not...
As Herne would say:
"Nothing is forgotten. Nothing is ever forgotten."
authory.com/JohnBull/Not...
Feeling virtuous, as I just resisted the temptation to dump the Christmas tree lights in the box in a tangled mess. I hope Christmas 2026 me is suitably grateful.
January 5, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Feeling virtuous, as I just resisted the temptation to dump the Christmas tree lights in the box in a tangled mess. I hope Christmas 2026 me is suitably grateful.
Over Christmas I read a book I thought would be a fun cozy read but was so bad. All in present tense which my brain just rejects- it’s not edgy or modern, it’s just bad writing. I don’t know why I finished it other than bloody-mindedness. Now I’m reading a Terry Pratchett to make it up to myself.
January 3, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Over Christmas I read a book I thought would be a fun cozy read but was so bad. All in present tense which my brain just rejects- it’s not edgy or modern, it’s just bad writing. I don’t know why I finished it other than bloody-mindedness. Now I’m reading a Terry Pratchett to make it up to myself.
Happy New Year everyone. This is the bit I love - absolute silence on the road outside.
January 1, 2026 at 7:47 AM
Happy New Year everyone. This is the bit I love - absolute silence on the road outside.
One of our Christmas presents arrived a little early this year.
December 24, 2025 at 7:23 AM
One of our Christmas presents arrived a little early this year.
“one hoggeshede bookes” is basically what I’m hoping to get for Christmas.
We often imagine medieval life as dull, dirty and short, with little in the way of material comfort or decoration. However, medieval Londoners were importing toys, treats and trinkets by the boatload centuries…
Medieval Londoners’ cheaply imported mass-produced Christmas gifts look surprisingly familiar
We often imagine medieval life as dull, dirty and short, with little in the way of material comfort or decoration. However, medieval Londoners were importing toys, treats and trinkets by the boatload centuries…
tcnv.link
December 22, 2025 at 6:49 AM
“one hoggeshede bookes” is basically what I’m hoping to get for Christmas.
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (Wars nor Trek), LOTR, or Marvel, Disney Animated or Pixar.
December 8, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Stars (Wars nor Trek), LOTR, or Marvel, Disney Animated or Pixar.
Christmas card writing today - having a flashback to ‘70s childhood trauma of the box of different cards for the class, and having to decide who got a cute one, and who got the photo of baubles. And then the pain when you received a bauble card.
December 6, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Christmas card writing today - having a flashback to ‘70s childhood trauma of the box of different cards for the class, and having to decide who got a cute one, and who got the photo of baubles. And then the pain when you received a bauble card.
Reposted by Louise S
An excellent piece by Yasmin Khan in @theguardian.com – and I’m very relieved the preposterous case against her has been dropped. www.theguardian.com/food/comment...
I called my recipe book Sabzi – vegetables. But the name was trademarked. And my legal ordeal began
The granting of patents and trademarks to foods and words from the global south is part of a long colonial grab. It’s time to realise we share what we cook, and what we call it
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:39 AM
An excellent piece by Yasmin Khan in @theguardian.com – and I’m very relieved the preposterous case against her has been dropped. www.theguardian.com/food/comment...
I feel so much pain for whoever sent the budget details out too early from the OBR. The horror they must have gone through when they realized what they had done. Real ‘there but for the Grace of God…’ time www.theguardian.com/business/202...
OBR chair ‘mortified’ by budget leak as ex-cybersecurity chief called in to investigate
Richard Hughes, head of Office for Budget Responsibility, says he has apologised to chancellor for ‘letting people down’
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I feel so much pain for whoever sent the budget details out too early from the OBR. The horror they must have gone through when they realized what they had done. Real ‘there but for the Grace of God…’ time www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Magistrates convict a higher proportion of defendants than juries, so I hope they are also planning to build more prisons.
Imagine coming up with a proposal so stupid, so unworkable, so thoughtless, that it makes Robert Jenrick look sane by comparison.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Jury trials could be scrapped except in most serious cases
Only cases of alleged murder, rape or manslaughter will be decided by a jury under new proposals to cut court backlogs.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Magistrates convict a higher proportion of defendants than juries, so I hope they are also planning to build more prisons.
I’m reading Dame Elizabeth Lane’s autobiography Hear the Other Side. This remarkable woman was not only the first female High Court judge, but she also hired the first female judge’s clerk (on Lord Denning’s recommendation) and was the first female Bencher of an Inn of Court.
November 23, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I’m reading Dame Elizabeth Lane’s autobiography Hear the Other Side. This remarkable woman was not only the first female High Court judge, but she also hired the first female judge’s clerk (on Lord Denning’s recommendation) and was the first female Bencher of an Inn of Court.
I think I am playing Elden Ring and then looking for help online too much, as my iPad now auto corrects any misspelling beginning with E into Erd Tree. My emails are not going to make sense 😂
November 21, 2025 at 6:58 AM
I think I am playing Elden Ring and then looking for help online too much, as my iPad now auto corrects any misspelling beginning with E into Erd Tree. My emails are not going to make sense 😂
Reposted by Louise S
New post: Tyranny, anarchy and the rule of law: Reflections on a major report by the Constitution Committee
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/20/t...
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/20/t...
Tyranny, anarchy and the rule of law: Reflections on a major report by the Constitution Committee
The House of Lords Constitution Committee’s new report on the rule of law provides an excellent overview of the concept and of the many challenges it finds itself under in the UK today. But the rep…
publiclawforeveryone.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
New post: Tyranny, anarchy and the rule of law: Reflections on a major report by the Constitution Committee
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/20/t...
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/20/t...
Reposted by Louise S
17 hours left and we just hit £9k! Please keep sharing and pledging!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/fli...
You are all wonderful and I can't wait to make this book for you!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/fli...
You are all wonderful and I can't wait to make this book for you!
November 20, 2025 at 6:43 AM
17 hours left and we just hit £9k! Please keep sharing and pledging!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/fli...
You are all wonderful and I can't wait to make this book for you!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/fli...
You are all wonderful and I can't wait to make this book for you!
Reposted by Louise S
New post
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
Proposals for radical reform of the UK’s asylum system raise a number of legal and constitutional issues, with respect both to the European Convention on Human Rights and the domestic principle of …
publiclawforeveryone.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:43 PM
New post
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
The legal and constitutional implications of the asylum white paper: Some initial thoughts
publiclawforeveryone.com/2025/11/17/t...
I’m sure I read in a chancellor’s memoirs (maybe Roy Jenkins or Ken Clarke’s) that he wasn’t even allowed to walk to Parliament for the budget statement in case his demeanour gave a clue about the budget contents and set the markets flapping. Maybe we should go back to that.
Budget gossip and U-turns to blame for UK’s weak growth, says ex-Bank chief economist
Budget gossip and U-turns to blame for UK’s weak growth, says ex-Bank chief economist
Budget gossip and U-turns to blame for UK’s weak growth, says ex-Bank chief economist
www.independent.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
I’m sure I read in a chancellor’s memoirs (maybe Roy Jenkins or Ken Clarke’s) that he wasn’t even allowed to walk to Parliament for the budget statement in case his demeanour gave a clue about the budget contents and set the markets flapping. Maybe we should go back to that.