iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

And excuse the typo - *will* be Leader

000

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Would be complexity re timings - Burnham would have to get into Parliament quickly (bit like Douglas-Home).

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Presumably it would need NEC sign off (have a very vague memory Brown would have needed NEC approval before entering a coalition in 2010).

100

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

I am very grateful to @mattturtle.bsky.social and Gill Taylor from @ourmoh.bsky.social, Ciara Bartlam and Isabel Bertschinger for comments on an earlier draft – obviously all the mistakes which remain are solely down to me (and thanks to Rosie Harding for use of the data from another project).

000

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Beyond this, the research highlights the need for a #NationalOversightMechanism, and the need to improve collection of statistical information from inquests, to ensure the systems we have for identifying issues when people die do not ignore the importance of housing and home.

110

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

In addition, Coroners need to be trained on housing law, policy and practice, and there should be specific guidance on cross referencing, to encourage Coroners to engage with previous reports on similar issues.

110

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

In particular, publication of reports needs to be more closely aligned with the wider determinants of health, and while this is being done, we need a housing/homelessness category on the Chief Coroner’s database (along with the capacity to send email alerts relating to specific areas).

110

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

As some of you will know, this is something I have been wanting to examine in more detail for a long time, and there is a lot more I want to say about it and a lot more research and analysis is needed, but I hope this research can play a useful role in highlighting issues which need urgent attention

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

It concludes by setting out some recommendations for improvements aimed at central Government, individual Coroners, and the Chief Coroner.

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

It identifies a sharp increase in the number of cases in which housing and homelessness is a specific concern for Coroners, but also notes significant regional variation between different Coroner Areas.

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

This research analyses the inquest system and 8 years of reports by Coroners (2017-21 & 2023-25), to identify concerns raised by Coroners relating to the deaths of people experiencing homelessness. #inquest #Coroner #homeless #socialdeterminants #housing

homelessinquests.blogs.bristol.ac.uk

Dying Homeless – Inquests and the Prevention of Future Deaths

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

The report was made on 1 December and published 3 December, so there is not yet a response from Grandwell Estates.

020

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

I am concerned that mould in the property and mould and/or other disrepair in other properties renovated and managed by Granddwell Estates may pose a risk that future deaths could occur.'

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

The mould in the property is extensive, thick and black. On the walls it is around knee height, it extends up the walls in the corners and around the ceiling where the ceiling and walls meet. It covers the curtains and furniture where soft furnishings and furniture is in contact with the walls.

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

His death was found to be due to encephalitis due to Varicella Zoster Virus (chicken pox), and the Coroner noted that: 'I have seen photographs and police body worn video footage of the mould in the property in which the Ali family live.

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

Baby Ali and his mother shared the bedroom, and his 4 siblings shared a double mattress on the floor in the living room. The flat had extensive mould and damp, along with a history of other disrepair matters, including a problem with the windows and a mouse infestation [since at least Aug 2021).'

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

'Abdullah Mohamed Ali was 6 months old when he died. He lived in a one bedroomed flat with his mother and 4 siblings, aged 2, 3, 4 and 5. The property was a one-bed privately rented flat.

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

"At one point, as soon as Goodwin started talking, the camera lingered on her for a full 40 seconds. I don’t know if you’ve ever spent 40 seconds looking at Liz Truss wordlessly blinking and gulping, but it’s a genuinely disturbing sight. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody." Absolute gold.

050

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Worth saying that often in the inquest context you can have a narrative conclusion so can be an explanation of the jury's decision

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

I'd say there is more justice for the defendant in having a more substantively public process, less chance of the evidence being rushed through, more chance of it being more carefully considered, with everyone involved being conscious of what they say and how that might be more widely understood

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

I wouldn't make it the centrepiece of an argument to retain them, but it is a piece of evidence to support assertions of their civic importance. Personally, I think they play an important role in making proceedings more public - slowing it down, making it accessible for a wider public to understand

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Just remembered that too, vague memory dragged up from days in practice

010

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

And you still get juries for civil claims of malicious prosecution or false imprisonment

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

3. isn't correct - there are juries in inquest cases. On the democracy discussion, there is evidence (from the US) of people going on to engage more in civic activities including a (from memory) 10% increase in voter turnout after jury service. I can try and dig out references if you are interested

200

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Former German person. This is your mess now as well I'm sorry to say.

110

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 · 12/11/2025

One of those embarrassing situations where everyone thought someone else had stopped the direct debit and noone noticed it was still paying out...

010

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

They are a truly fantastic group of people

010

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

And it is only thanks to @ourmoh.bsky.social that this is being tracked #makethemcount

110

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

We eagerly anticipate your presence at the inauguration. Kind regards For the Perelman Center

000

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Additionally, we will announce a visiting fellowship initiative, allowing researchers from around the globe to visit the Perelman Centre to consult the collection and contribute to its ongoing improvement. Feel free to share this invitation with anyone who might be interested in the Fund.

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

During the inauguration, we will present the history of the collection, its content, and engage in discussions with scholars who have collaborated with Professor Twining to ensure the preservation and continuation of his intellectual legacy.

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

The Perelman Centre is honored to continue contributing to the tradition of legal pragmatism and legal realism by making this collection accessible to the academic community worldwide.

110

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

The creation of this Fund was made possible by the generous donation of Professor William Twining of his private collection to the Perelman Centre, which will further enrich the library’s resources.

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

The Twining-Llewellyn Fund is a unique collection of manuscripts, published and unpublished papers, notes, books, and other documents related to legal realism and pragmatism, with a special focus on the works of Karl Llewellyn and William Twining, two of the leading scholars in these fields.

120

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Topic: Inauguration Twining-Llewellyn Fund Time: Oct 6, 2025 10:00 AM Brussels Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 977 3152 9145 Link: hec-fr.zoom.us/j/97731529145

hec-fr.zoom.us

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

100

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

"We are delighted to invite you to join us online for the inauguration of the Twining-Llewellyn Fund of the Perelman Centre, Université Libre de Bruxelles, on Monday, 6th of October at 10 am Brussels time (CET). Below, you will find all the details for connecting to the online event.

hec-fr.zoom.us

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

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

I will argue that these reports are not only efforts to produce social change for people who are homeless, but also amount to efforts to change the inquest system itself, into a system focused on issues of social welfare.

010

Ed Kirton-Darling @ekd.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Looking at the way in which homelessness is being talked about in these reports, this lecture will explore what these reports tell us about the contemporary death investigations and the Coronial system.

110