Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Ben Stanley @benstanley.eu · 1d

“The advantages of a first past the post system, of course, are that it prevents an overly fragmented parliament in which a stable governing majority cannot be found, and that it keeps the radical right down.”

Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 1d

Westminster Voting Intention:

RFM: 27% (-2)
LAB: 20% (-2)
CON: 17% (+1)
LDM: 17% (+2)
GRN: 12% (+1)
SNP: 4% (+1)

Via @yougov.co.uk, 5-6 Oct.
Changes w/ 28-29 Sep.

9 37 170

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Conor J. Kelly @conorjkelly.bsky.social · 3d

Brilliant insight (as ever) from @alanrenwick.bsky.social on referendums and democracy.

open.spotify.com/episode/5z2w...

Fixing Democracy: What’s Wrong with Referendums?

open.spotify.com

1 2

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Mark English @markemuk.bsky.social · 1d

Dominic Grieve sets out the huge cost of leaving the ECHR - for Northern Ireland, for trade with the EU and for the UK's reputation.
www.europeanmovement.co.uk/leaving_echr...

Leaving ECHR breaches Good Friday Agreement, says Grieve

Leaving the Convention "plainly in breach of the Good Friday agreement" says former Attorney General.

www.europeanmovement.co.uk

1 30 63

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Colin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · 2d

Today will see a flurry of speculative claims about the GFA & ECHR. Most significantly that rights weren't important/were late editions/didn't mean the whole ECHR in NI law. I'm begging journalists to push back. Civil Servants were planning for Labour's Rights Agenda for NI from the 1997 election:

3 23 52

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 2d

Live: Jim Gavin withdraws from presidential election after questions raised about time as landlord

Fianna Fáil presidential candidate’s move leaves Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly in race for Áras

www.irishtimes.com

3 3

Conor J. Kelly @conorjkelly.bsky.social · 3d

Brilliant insight (as ever) from @alanrenwick.bsky.social on referendums and democracy.

open.spotify.com/episode/5z2w...

Fixing Democracy: What’s Wrong with Referendums?

open.spotify.com

1 2

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

The Times & Sunday Times @thetimes.com · 3d

🗣️ "It’s freshers week and as a 60-year-old first year I’m loving it"

Apple juice for welcome drinks, QR codes and laptops … student life is very different the second time round as Rosie Millard enrols on a French degree 👇

It’s freshers week and as a 60-year-old first year I’m loving it

www.thetimes.com

3 18

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

YouGov @yougov.co.uk · 4d

With Kemi Badenoch saying the Tories would take the UK out of the ECHR, our poll in June found the public wanted to remain members by 51% to 27%

yougov.co.uk/topics/inter...

3 26 66

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

@ICONSGBIE @iconsgbie.bsky.social · 8d

📢ICON GBIE, TRICON, QUB Webinar:

Familiarity, Culture & Expertise: The Future of Referendums in Ireland & the UK

Oct 17th 10:00-13:00 Online

To register follow the link below:
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0d55a0...

1/3 👇

1 5 3

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Conor J. Kelly @conorjkelly.bsky.social · 8d

Delighted to be invited to take part in this event on Oct 17th.

Sign up links below!

@ICONSGBIE @iconsgbie.bsky.social · 8d

📢ICON GBIE, TRICON, QUB Webinar:

Familiarity, Culture & Expertise: The Future of Referendums in Ireland & the UK

Oct 17th 10:00-13:00 Online

To register follow the link below:
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0d55a0...

1/3 👇

2 3

Conor J. Kelly @conorjkelly.bsky.social · 6d

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Police shoot suspect after stabbing at synagogue in Manchester

Four people hurt as witness says car was driven towards members of the public and one man was stabbed

www.theguardian.com

1

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 7d

What happened to Militant after the 1980s?

How did Tony Blair invent "Old Labour"?

Why did Neil Kinnock speak highly of Momentum?

And has Keir Starmer learned the wrong lessons from Kinnock?

Part 2 of our discussion of the radical left from the 1980s to 2025.
www.ppfideas.com/episodes/now...

Now & Then with Robert Saunders: From Kinnock to Corbyn to Starmer

225

www.ppfideas.com

6 8 27

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

The Times & Sunday Times @thetimes.com · 8d

Pat Bradley obituary: The voice of the Good Friday referendum

Chief election officer in Northern Ireland during the Troubles who was shot at in East Timor dies aged 90

Pat Bradley obituary: the voice of the Good Friday referendum

www.thetimes.com

1 6

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Balliol College, University of Oxford @ballioloxford.bsky.social · 9d

A new statue of Balliol’s co-founder and first benefactor, Dervorguilla of Galloway, now stands at Master's Field! Warm thanks to Jim Rogers (Balliol 1964) for making this commission possible, and to Alex Wenham for his creativity and vision.
www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/news/2025/se...

2 6

Conor J. Kelly @conorjkelly.bsky.social · 8d

Delighted to be invited to take part in this event on Oct 17th.

Sign up links below!

@ICONSGBIE @iconsgbie.bsky.social · 8d

📢ICON GBIE, TRICON, QUB Webinar:

Familiarity, Culture & Expertise: The Future of Referendums in Ireland & the UK

Oct 17th 10:00-13:00 Online

To register follow the link below:
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0d55a0...

1/3 👇

2 3

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Irish Studies at QUB @irishstudiesqub.bsky.social · 12d

Martin Mansergh, Fianna Fáil adviser and key figure in peace process, dies aged 78

Mansergh entered electoral politics after decades as a backroom figure and served as minister of State

www.irishtimes.com

2 3

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Alan Greene @alangreene.bsky.social · 14d

For the day that's in it, re-promoting my video explaining the role of the Irish Presidency and their key powers.
youtu.be/pqNw1y-DaU4?...
#aras2025

The Irish Presidency Explained

YouTube video by Dr Alan Greene

youtu.be

3 2

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Irish Examiner @irishexaminer.bsky.social · 14d

Maria Steen secures 18th nomination as presidential ballot deadline nears

Independent senator Aubrey McCarthy has given Maria Steen her 18th nomination but stopped short of endorsing her campaign

dlvr.it

1 2

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Richard Chambers @newschambers.bsky.social · 16d

Gareth Sheridan has bowed out. He won’t be running for President.

#Aras25

*hunger games cannon sound*

Richard Chambers @newschambers.bsky.social · 24d

McGregor has bowed out. He won’t be running for President.

#Aras25

*hunger games cannon sound*

Richard Chambers @newschambers.bsky.social · 29d

Geldof has bowed out. He won't be running for President.

#Aras25

*hunger games cannon sound*

4 11 110

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Richard Chambers @newschambers.bsky.social · 16d

Gareth Sheridan’s hopes hang by a thread.

After Meath voted not to nominate him - he needs the support of Offaly and Louth County Council to get on the ballot - and he might get to address Louth because of an issue getting his paperwork in.

#Aras25

1 2 9

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Gavan Reilly @gavreilly.com · 16d

Councils deciding on #aras25 stances today:

Meath
Monaghan
Sligo
Leitrim
Offaly
Clare
Cork County
Kildare
Westmeath
Kilkenny
Limerick City & County
Louth

1 4 9

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

RTÉ News @news.rte.ie · 17d

Israeli forces blew up more residential buildings in Gaza City, killing at least 31 Palestinians and prompting many others to flee, Gazan health authorities said, as Israel's tanks pushed further into the densely populated city

Israeli strikes kill 31 people in Gaza City, medics say

Israeli forces blew up more residential buildings in Gaza City, killing at least 31 Palestinians and prompting many others to flee, Gazan health authorities said, as Israel's tanks pushed further into...

www.rte.ie

2 17 13

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Belfast Telegraph @belfasttelegraph.co.uk · 19d

A new deal between the UK and Irish governments on addressing the legacy of the Troubles has drawn mixed reactions from victims, with some warning it leaves many questions unanswered.

New Troubles legacy deal draws mixed reaction from victims: ‘A lot of questions to be answered...’

A new deal between the UK and Irish governments on addressing the legacy of the Troubles has drawn mixed reactions from victims, with some warning it leaves many questions unanswered.

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

1

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Dr Mary McAuliffe @drmarymcauliffe.bsky.social · 18d

Sinn Féin is officially backing Catherine Connolly in the race for the Áras
Best decision #gocatherine #aras2025 #speirgorm jrnl.ie/6821749

Sinn Féin is officially backing Catherine Connolly in the race for the Áras

The decision was made at the party’s Ard Chomhairle today.

jrnl.ie

9 33

Reposted by Conor J. Kelly

Belfast Telegraph @belfasttelegraph.co.uk · 19d

The man who announced the result of the Good Friday Agreement referendum to the world in 1998 has passed away.

Patrick Bradley organised key elections in Northern Ireland throughout the Troubles, and later worked as an electoral adviser for the UN and EU around the world.

Man who announced result of defining vote in NI’s history dies after short illness

The man who announced the result of the Good Friday Agreement referendum to the world in 1998 has passed away.

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

6 7