Sign in

Ed Kirton-Darling

@ekd.bsky.social
2.6K followers 3.9K following 201 posts

Academic lawyer at the University of Bristol, interested in lots, including inquests & death, social welfare, housing/homelessness, planning, administrative and constitutional law. Firm believer in nuance and context.

PostsRepliesMedia
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Constitutionally there is no issue, but are any of you on Bluesky expert on the Labour Party rules - could Rayner (or whoever) run as Labour leader saying they be leader of the Labour Party but deputy to a Prime Minister Burnham?
100
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
We know that homelessness and precarious housing are closely connected to early, preventable deaths, but are we learning lessons to seek to prevent future deaths? That is what research published today examines: homelessinquests.blogs.bristol.ac.uk
homelessinquests.blogs.bristol.ac.uk
Dying Homeless – Inquests and the Prevention of Future Deaths
152
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
For those interested in health, planning, local authority discretion, see below...
010
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Very much looking forward to 'A “charter for scroungers and scrimshankers”: A biography of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977' by @lwdsc.bsky.social on 4 March - come join us if you can: www.bristol.ac.uk/law/events/2...
bristol.ac.uk
2026: Event - Annual Janine Sargoni Lecture of the Bristol Socio-Legal Centr | University of Bristol Law School | University of Bristol
000
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
U turn coming on Andy Burnham decision in 5, 4, 3, 2....
140
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Rereading old science fiction, and amused to see Isaac Asimov predicting Large Language Models (and the critique of them) in 1953 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mon...
en.wikipedia.org
The Monkey's Finger - Wikipedia
010
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Robert Jenrick: the Tories don't have the competence to fix broken Britain and deliver change. Also Robert Jenrick: can't even manage his own basic security, as Badenoch gets a copy of his planned defection speech before he delivers it.
130
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Very interesting to see this expansion of Rent Repayment Orders - is positive to see streamlined data systems and cross government working to seek to improve PRS standards www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Taxpayer cash protected as crackdown on rogue landlords expands
Hundreds of thousands of people will benefit from an expansion of a trial to tackle poor housing and protect taxpayers’ cash from rogue landlords.
031
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
I haven't seen it reported elsewhere, but there has been another Prevention of Future Deaths report by a Coroner for a very small child which highlights mould in the family home. The details are distressing.
judiciary.uk
Abdullah Ali: Prevention of future death report - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Date of report: 01/12/2025 Ref: 2025-0604 Deceased name: Abdullah Ali Coroner name: Melanie Lee Coroner Area: Inner North London Category: Child Death (from 2015) This report is being sent to: Granddw...
135
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Imagine spending 20 years waiting to see if a reconsideration every few years would uproot you again. Never leaving the system. Constantly wondering whether you'd need to challenge a new decision made, thinking about evidence and getting legal help. Never feeling safe. It's inhumane.
0144
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Every year, the number of people who die while homeless grows. 1,286 in 2021. 1,313 in 2022. 1,474 in 2023. These are not estimates, but are verified numbers. BBC News - UK deaths of 1,611 homeless people in 2024 is record high www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
UK deaths of 1,611 homeless people in 2024 is record high
Most are linked to suicide or drugs, with spice and nitazines increasingly deadly.
110
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
FAO SOCIO-LEGAL COLLEAGUES @slsauk.bsky.social I've just been asked to circulate the below online event, taking place on Monday morning (and details which have been sent to me are in the thread below, including the Zoom link)
Poster advertising the inauguration of the Twining Llewellyn fund at the Perelman Centre, 6 October at 10am CET
110
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Anyone interested in issues of deaths of people who are homeless or precariously housed, and the ways in which institutions change (using a framework of discursive institutionalism), come along (in person) on Thursday 2 October at 17:15 to my Centre for Death and Society public lecture in Bath.
132
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
Hallucinating is inevitable in Large Language Models. “Governance must shift from prevention to risk containment,” Dai said. “This means stronger human-in-the-loop processes, domain-specific guardrails, and continuous monitoring.”
010
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Public law practitioners: have you been involved in litigation regarding automated decision making by Government, or do you think you might be in future? The @publiclawproject.bsky.social are keen to speak to you.
1818
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Really hope the SRA are listening (not holding out a lot of hope) www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/hundred...
lawgazette.co.uk
Hundreds sign petition calling for SQE reform
Anonymous trainee says the exam has taken a severe toll on their mental, financial and physical wellbeing.
010
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
There is a risk that this will get missed over the summer, so just to flag up this important call for evidence on human rights and the regulation of AI from the Joint Committee on Human Rights (and deadline for response is 5 September) - committees.parliament.uk/work/9220/hu...
committees.parliament.uk
New inquiry: Human Rights and the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence - Committees - UK Parliament
The Joint Committee on Human Rights has launched a new inquiry to examine how human rights can be protected in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
02223
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
UK Human Rights Blog @ukhumanrightsblog.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
Arriving a bit late to bluesky, but here we are. Follow if you're interested in case commentary and news from across the range of topics that fall under the wide umbrella of human rights law, such as this, on the approach taken to article 2, police and suicide.
1167
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Nearly Legal @nearlylegal.co.uk · 25/07/2025
Apparently now corrected, because I wrote about it. bsky.app/profile/near...
1193
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/07/2025
Amongst other issues, we know large language models hallucinate, and so are at best unreliable and at worst dangerous, and yet regulation appears out of the question. Frustrating.
041
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
Important reporting work being done here by the Law Society Gazette on reforms to special educational needs provision - www.lawgazette.co.uk/features/sen...
lawgazette.co.uk
SEND reform, legal rights and Whitehall's weasel words
The 'parents of disabled children' club was one I didn't want to join, and yet was shattered to leave with the death of my daughter in February. Re-engaging with these issues at this time, I find extremely difficult.
011
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Generation Rent @generationrent.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
🚨🚨BREAKING: Section 21 Eviction ban has been DELAYED until Spring 2026! Read our full statement by our Deputy Chief Executive @danwilsoncraw.bsky.social, below 👇
345
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Reading Prevention of Future Deaths reports which relate to the deaths of people who are homeless, and responses to them. The name of the person writing this response, dated 1 April 2025, is redacted, but their office - Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing etc - isn't 🤔
031
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
More than 2/3rds of UK students work during term time and spend less time than ever on independent study - www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/06/12/s...
hepi.ac.uk
Student Academic Experience Survey 2025 - HEPI
This year’s results indicate that the student experience has evolved away from the ‘traditional’ model of many students living close to campus, spending a lot of time on campus and only undertaking pa...
131
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
"AI is not regulated. But, worse than that, generative AI is still an unknown. As the months pass, who knows what else we might find out about it? We already know that it steals, fantasises and lies." www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...
lawgazette.co.uk
More caution please, Sir Geoffrey
Generative AI enthusiasts are rushing us too quickly towards its adoption in the law.
031
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
A long and detailed assessment which merits careful reading - Israel is accused of the gravest war crimes in Gaza - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Israel is accused of the gravest war crimes in Gaza
Distinguished lawyers, senior humanitarians and diplomats tell Jeremy Bowen why they are increasingly concerned about the catastrophe inside Gaza
154
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Rav @rav-in-da-house.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
Eloquently stated “…if you can’t tell the difference between a supplier list and a blank cheque, you’ve no business near the corridors of power…” eastangliabylines.co.uk/politics/loc...
eastangliabylines.co.uk
Exposed: Reform UK doesn’t know how government spending works
Reform UK just confused a procurement framework with a spending scandal – and revealed they don’t understand government
212244
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
This is a very good piece which succinctly explains the importance of understanding the fundamentals, given how the world can (will) change
020
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Amy Gandon @amygandon.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
*Help me tell the full story of the Civil Service* I'm still recruiting for this research and in particular am looking for more participants from grades AO to HEO (incl FSers). Especially women and those whose role is outside the policy profession. DM or email amy.gandon@gmail and pls share!
022
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Am really struck by the way enforcement is defined in the Renters' Rights Bill as either imposing a financial penalty or instituted criminal proceedings, so that informal means of enforcement won't be enough to satisfy the new duty to enforce. Will be interesting to watch how it plays out!
121
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Ann M. Lipton @annmlipton.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
I'm not asking you to get from point A to point B. I'm asking you to get some exercise.
1032153
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Neil Renic @ncrenic.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
This is bleak reading
1502226274898
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Ooof. This is painful reading. Totally made up cases in an otherwise strong case, without any good explanation...
110
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Helen Clare @menopauseinschools.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
1/5 This is heart breaking. But the coroners comment rings true. “Women who are not fortunate enough to be able to access private clinics and facilities may not be able to access the services and expertise they need at a very crucial transitional phase in their lives." #Edusky #EduskyUK #WomenEd
theguardian.com
Coroner expresses concerns over NHS menopause care after death of teacher
Report follows inquest jury’s conclusion that Jacqueline Anne Potter killed herself after mental health decline
112
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
rightsnet @rightsnet.org.uk · 23/04/2025
Looking for a social welfare law training course? ... check out www.rightsnet.org.uk/training-and... where we have more than 200 events listed from: @adviceuk.bsky.social @cpaguk.bsky.social @institutema.bsky.social @legalactiongroup.bsky.social @publiclawproject.bsky.social and more ...
023
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
Do not look away. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
theguardian.com
Despair in Gaza as Israeli aid blockade creates crisis ‘unmatched in severity’
Palestinians pushed into new misery as supplies of food, fuel and medicine run out in seven-week siege
012
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Michael Doherty @profmdoherty.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Anyone interested in doing a PhD in Labour Law with me @maynoothlaw.bsky.social ? #phd #funding #scholarships www.maynoothuniversity.ie/law/funding-...
maynoothuniversity.ie
Doctoral Scholarships
APPLICATIONS FOR THE SCHOOL OF LAW AND CRIMINOLOGY DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP ARE NOW OPEN DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS - MONDAY 2 JUNE, 2025 Students undertaking or wishing to undertake a PhD or PhD-track
0610
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Simon Nixon @nixonsimon.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Latest from @thetimes.com campaign in favour of keeping Britain as a tax haven for foreigners, regardless of how long they have lived here. What a pity it won’t tell us how Henley Partners, which has skin in the game, came up with its data. Its last “survey” was “modelled” on 250 LinkedIn profiles!
thetimes.com
London falls out of top five wealthiest cities as millionaires leave
The UK capital has lost 11,300 dollar millionaires over the past year, a higher proportion than anywhere other than Moscow
1329390
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Quakers in Britain @quaker.org.uk · 28/03/2025
🚨 Outrage as 20 police officers break into Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrest six. 🚨 This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️ 👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
quaker.org.uk
Quakers condemn police raid on Westminster Meeting House
Police broke into a Quaker Meeting House last night (27 March) and arrested six young people holding a meeting over concerns for the climate and Gaza.
13620511472
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Pleased our research is getting some traction. I worked on the law and policy report, and lots of fairly simple things which could be done to improve things for young LGBTQ+ people who might experience homelessness - www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/yo...
insidehousing.co.uk
Young LGBTQ+ people twice as likely to experience hidden homelessness, report finds
Young LGBTQ+ people are twice as likely to experience forms of hidden homelessness like sofa-surfing or sleeping in cars than their non-LGBTQ+ peers, new research has found.
171
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Huge win! Government announces plans to open up the Land Registry. If delivered, will finally reveal more about who owns land in England and Wales. Read my blog post for more details & how you can write to the Minister to make sure this now happens: whoownsengland.org/2025/03/06/h... 🧵1/
whoownsengland.org
Huge win! Government announces plan to open up Land Registry
This post is by Guy Shrubsole. Today the UK Government has announced plans to open up the Land Registry – which, if delivered, will finally reveal more about who owns land in England and Wale…
432119640
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Are you interested in working in think tanks? Want to understand more about what these orgs do, and what opportunities are available? The Resolution Foundation are hosting a fantastic event to help explain the sector - check out all the info here: www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/worki...
The logos of all the think tanks involved in the event
099
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Institute for Public Policy Research @ippr.org · 14/02/2025
🧱 | NEW REPORT: Instead of stripping back planning regulations to 'get Britain building,' this new report from @msingerhobbs.bsky.social argues we need a stronger, better resourced, planning system.
ippr.org
Strategic planning for green prosperity | IPPR
Not only do we need to house and feed more people, but also provide space for energy generation, areas for nature, places for climate mitigation, room for
02318
Reposted by Ed Kirton-Darling
Socio-Legal Studies Assocation @slsauk.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Check out this blog post from January by Edward Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social and Will Smith @willsmithvision.bsky.social
021
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Really interesting on the growth of requirements on public authorities to proactively collect data to inform decisions, particularly where equality issues at play. I'd suggest it supports the value of requiring Health Impact Assessments from applicants seeking permission to undertake development.
010
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
Found this really insightful on the BBC and Elon Musk (sorry, I know we are all sick of talking about him, as am I, but this helped me understand his constant presence much more clearly than anything else I've read) - www.newstatesman.com/politics/bus...
newstatesman.com
Elon Musk’s secret weapon
BBC News is the key to the X owner’s fixation with British politics.
011
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
I love this, and over the past 7 years have lent small amounts of money to hundreds of people around the world. Lend your support to entrepreneurs in low-income countries through @lendwithcare.bsky.social Make your first loan for free with this link! lendwithcare.org/referral/L9D...
lendwithcare.org
Microfinance from CARE International UK
CARE International's microfinance lending initiative
120
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
The Renters' Rights Bill is back in the Commons next Tuesday for Report stage and 3rd reading - commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
bills.parliament.uk
Report stage Amendments on Renters' Rights Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament
View amendments to Renters' Rights Bill proposed during Report stage
031
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
Found this really interesting. Would be interested in the views of lawyers about how the analysis applies to the legal profession.
211
Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
A bit of fun for the end of term - in which @willsmithvision.bsky.social and I get all meta, with a dialogue about "accessible" AI dialogues. And weren't we cute kids....?
000