Stephen Laws

Was: 1st Parliamentary Counsel UK. Now: Senior Fellow @Policy_Exchange, writing & lecturing on UK constitution, grand-parenting, golf, enjoying beautiful Kent

[Mark Elliott @ProfMarkElliott]

Just reposting my piece from yesterday on the constitutional questions raised by the assisted dying Bill. The more I think about it, the odder the Cabinet Secretary’s position on ministerial neutrality seems. https://t.co/Ly6fXwjDz0

[Philip Murray @philipmurraylaw]

A really important letter that should make MPs sit up and listen. Senior lawyers from across practice and academia, including a former Chief Coroner, a former Lord Chancellor, and distinguished academics, KCs, Peers and others, warn of the dangers of legalising assisted suicide. https://t.co/32FWSnzmkq

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@DHLParcelUK Do you have an accessible system to make alternative arrangements?

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@DHLParcelUK I am waiting for a collection, not a delivery. It was promised for yesterday evening. No one came and I have had no communication since. Should I stay at home all weekend?

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@AileenMcHarg @TCYJimB Not a reason to make that a wrong answer - similarly with “of Wales” - which also, as it happens, gives you the same word order as in Welsh.

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@JoshuaRozenberg @woodchipwalls Section 10 of the Interpretation Act 1978 provides “In any Act a reference to the Sovereign reigning at the time of the passing of the Act is to be construed, unless the contrary intention appears, as a reference to the Sovereign for the time being.”

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

Difficult to imagine any other circumstances, these days, in which it would be thought a good idea by either the predecessor or successor, whoever they were.

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

Last PM to serve in Cabinet of immediate successor: Neville Chamberlain, who from May to Oct 1940 remained leader of the Conservatives &, presumably for that reason, was in Cabinet as Lord President of the Council in Churchill’s coalition, National Government.

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@AlexanderHorne1 Totally agree

https://t.co/7Px0krD0RR

And as I also explained some while ago - rather less succinctly the you have succeeded in doing.

https://t.co/TAyqMmgRG9

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@ProfMarkElliott Understood

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@AlexanderHorne1 @woodstockjag @TonyDowson5 From the text & its chronological context & by abandoning the myth that the whole Act must have primary purpose that it has to be read to further (see p 180ff of my SCYB piece) You don’t need to read Hansard to see the “deal” in eg Evans. It’s clear from the structure of the Act

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@AlexanderHorne1 @woodstockjag @TonyDowson5 If you mean NC7, see explanatory note on p 16 here https://t.co/9vnIN8ZIHv . Cannot agree it requires more reference to Hansard.

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@AlexanderHorne1 @woodstockjag @TonyDowson5 All somewhere in here, https://t.co/UqOrVhoZKU

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@KillBrexitNow @CitySamuel Just on the point of construction, it is clear the deeming applies *only* for the purposes of 5.4 itself & so is confined to the “best reasonable efforts” promises to manufacture “the vaccine” at EU sites & to attempt to increase capacity “within EU” if necessary to meet EU needs

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@Ajctwit Thank you - and to you too🎂 🎉- even if having to add an extra year for that does seem a bit unfair.

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@DrHannahWhite Delighted to see it. Many congratulations.

[Scott Wortley @Scott_Wortley]

I agree with this thread, and just want to reiterate one thing about certain prominent tweeters (given further prominence through the press and broadcast media) attacking drafting.

[Paul Daly @pauldalyesq]

Prorogation, Constitutional Principles and Judicial Review https://t.co/x8F20ICurR via @pauldalyesq

[Stephen Laws @sc_laws]

@AileenMcHarg @SCMcG Agreed - removal is a bargain compared to the rest. Priority on arrival is tea for removal team & making up the beds: so you can fall into them when exhausted. You must be able to find & empty the box containing the kettle etc, bedding &, if accompanied by children, the TV remote