iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

Graham Simpson @grahambs.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

“The boost that Reform enjoyed (from FPTP) was in some instances considerable. In those councils where the party won more than half the seats, Reform won just 36% of the vote on average. Yet this proved sufficient for them to secure as much as 67% of the seats” Curtice www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

How the winner-takes-all voting system has turned on Labour and the Tories

The first-past-the-post system favoured Reform in this English local elections

59051

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

Hart Publishing @hartpublishing.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Read an extract from 'The Language of Comparative Constitutional Law' edited by Erika Arban, Maartje De Visser & Jeong-In Yun Addresses the epistemological and conceptual implications of English as the lingua franca 👉 bit.ly/4acbglR #ConstitutionalLaw #ComparativeLaw

Banner showing the cover image of 'The Language of Comparative Constitutional Law' as well as an invitation to look inside.

011

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

New post out: "Who runs Britain?" Politicians complain they are unable to do anything because of the machinery of state. Yet they have more power than ever. What explains this "paradox of executive power" and how can it be fixed? (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...

open.substack.com

Who runs Britain?

The paradox of executive power

1310725

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

Dr Adam Evans @a-b-evans.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

A lot of familiar tunes here for longtime followers/sufferers of Welsh #devolution. Of course, as previous First Ministers have experienced, there remains the equally familiar challenge of persuading the UK Govt to even entertain such reforms... #Senedd

133

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

All in all, a big step forward for the UK’s deliberative democratic practice. I’ll be talking more about this on 5 Feb 2026 in London - details below: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/participat... 7/7🧵 ends

000

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Two, wider public engagement is going to be key. Whilst the assemblies will have representative legitimacy, our research has highlighted a role for mass or ‘direct’ engagement, through public consultations, media reporting or referendums (where appropriate). 6/7

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

But there are also challenges. One, for this to shape the government’s policy, we’re reliant in practice on the influence of the Home Affairs committee and the perceived public legitimacy of the assembly process 5/7

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Third, this is exactly the sort of issue where citizen deliberation becomes valuable, especially if it can foster wider public engagement on the issue informed by lived experiences. 4/7

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Second, the localised nature of these assemblies will help to build the evidence base for participatory and deliberative interventions. We’re a way off mainstreaming these nationally in the UK until there are more examples to more precisely guide design and use cases. 3/7

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

First, though 100 participants across 3 assemblies seems small, this is a big deal. It’s the first assembly process set up by a Select Committee in several years, and the engagement of a Select Committee indicates parliamentary buy-in that’s important to influence policy. 2/7

100

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

Cassia Rowland @cassiarowland.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

NEW REPORT: the gov’s proposals for judge-only trials will deliver only marginal savings and distract from the real route out of this crisis: reversing recent falls in court productivity.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Trial and error?: The impact of restricting jury trials on court demand | Institute for Government

The government’s reforms will unlock only relatively modest reductions in demand.

614980

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

In sum, whether you’re for or against independence, there’s a conversation to be had about popular legitimacy and the territorial constitution, and the institutional mechanisms necessary for that - and one which ought to think about deeper participation and deliberation. 6/6 🧵ends

000

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Given that, party fragmentation (with the rise of Reform) and the FPTP element of AMS, I’m not sure 65 MSPs (a Holyrood majority) should be seen as enough to start negotiations, and certainly not as a ‘de facto’ referendum (should that argument later arise, as it did 2-3 yrs ago). 5/6

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

If SA 1998, s63A means anything, it’s that a mass electoral exercise is needed to secure the required popular legitimacy. I might add - given Brexit - that some sort of deliberative aspect would also be desirable to ensure inclusive discussion. 4/6

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Two questions then arise - both to do with the legitimacy question: 1. Is 65 MSPs indicative of sufficient popular legitimacy for secession to sway Westminster? 2. If not, are multiple referendums and/or a constitutional convention needed? 3/6

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Secession would need an Act of Parliament (b/c Acts of Union), and likely a referendum to abolish the devolved institutions. Even if the Scottish Parliament and Government continue in the same form in an indep Scotland, they’re legally creatures of the SA 1998. 2/6

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

The latest episode of ‘what sort of a mandate is enough of a mandate for opening independence negotiations’. Some brief thoughts 🧵 1/6 www.ft.com/content/3136...

ft.com

SNP seeks to exploit unionist rift with fresh independence pitch

John Swinney to set out plans for second referendum at party conference as Reform splits Scottish pro-union vote

110

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

Ben Yong @bymyong.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

I‘m giving a public talk at UCL on Thurs 16 Oct. The title is “Bureaucracy and distrust: the civil service in the constitution” looking at the civil service’s constitutional foundations, and how it might respond to a populist govt. @sirJJkc.bsky.social will chair! www.ucl.ac.uk/laws/events/...

ucl.ac.uk

Hybrid | CLP - Bureaucracy and Distrust: The Civil Service in the Constitution

This lecture will be delivered by Dr Ben Yong, as part of the Current Legal Problems Lecture Series 2025-26

55026

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

@ICONSGBIE @iconsgbie.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

📢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 👇

235

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

Colin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

The news of Conor Gearty's death has just been announced and I'm not coping. He was a mentor and the pole star in my constitutional thinking. He was also a great friend and fantastic fun to be around. I'm heartbroken for Aoife and the children.

1918050

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Very sad to hear this terrible news - Conor was not just an inspirational teacher whilst I was at the LSE and an exceptional scholar, but so warm and generous as LLM Director, remembering us years later. Thoughts go out to all his family.

060

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Also critical background when looking at electoral reform for the UK Parliament, and where voters may deploy preferences in a PR-STV, AV or SV system. 2/2 🧵ends

000

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Really interesting data on support for the major parties from last year to this year - and provides some colour to the 2025 local election results in England. 1/2 🧵

110

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Very interesting perspective on some of the ongoing grievances. Open question how England can better be represented politically, but it seems there’s a wider problem of identity to tackle irrespective of tinkering with devolution.

020

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Considered and informative the thread on the history of parliamentary sovereignty, from Professor @robertsaunders.bsky.social

25027

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Some thoughts on the UK Govt’s recent ‘Votes at 16’ announcement - in short, we need much better citizenship education for voters (or all ages) that is practical as well as theoretical for this to be a success. icfs.org.uk/votes-at-16-...

021

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

Colin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

One does not simply... rewrite the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. 😅😅😅😅😅...😭

81882183

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

John Davies @stsikel.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

"Under first-past-the-post, because there are more people wanting Special Brew than cappuccino, lattes or flat whites respectively, you are all condemned to go out on the piss." Brilliant from @willhaycardiff.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

Here is the single thing Labour can do to see off Reform and make British politics work | Will Hayward

Farage’s party could win 42% of Commons seats with only 26% of the vote. That’s not the way civilised countries do democracy, says Guardian columnist Will Hayward

57130

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

Mariana Velasco-Rivera @marianavr.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Happy publication day to me! Here’s a little celebratory thread🧵 to explain what the book is about: One of the everlasting questions in constituional theory and practice is what makes a constitution difficult to amend?

2254

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Wrote about the broader framework and vision for this in a HE context earlier in the year: icfs.org.uk/wp-content/u... 5/5 🧵 ends

icfs.org.uk

000

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

All this is to say that we have to first recognise that this isn’t a zero-sum game (employment vs civic development) but that they can mutually support each other. And then determine policy situations at all levels based on this. 4/5

120

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

However, if purpose of education (at all levels) is restricted to preparing people for the workplace, we develop the culture we have today - which has an over-emphasis on grades and graduate employment outcomes (both important in their own right). 3/5

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

All of these things are valuable in their own right because they develop within people the skills required to flourish within society - both in the workplace and as citizens who can contribute to upholding democracy. 2/5

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

It’s quite possible to advocate for the reforms mentioned in this article - citizenship education, media literacy and more real-world skills - and not conclude that education should better equip children for the workplace. 1/5 🧵

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

Worth reading this piece for the stats quoted as much as anything else - a shift in electoral system will happen once the party in govt is incentivised to do it. Lib Dem/Green gains from Lab being greater than potential Reform gains might well be what provides that.

000

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

A core feature of the Trump regime is its embrace of "authoritarian democracy", as a battering ram with which to demolish any obstacle to its power. The very notion of "authoritarian democracy" can sound contradictory. But it's an old & dangerous idea, that needs to be better understood. [THREAD]

21282140

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

A complex switch of votes in various direction. Aggregate numbers suggest a limited number of direct Labour/Reform switchers In this contest, Reform consolidated the right-of-centre anti-Labour vote, while Labour lost voters to non-voting, and could not squeeze Greens as Reform did Tories

514947

Reposted by Pravar Petkar

Ed Conway @edconway.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

✍️I visited British Steel last week - just as workers were discovering that the plant's Chinese owners were effectively planning to starve the blast furnaces to death. It was a strange, unsettling experience. With deep ramifications. Some thoughts: edconway.substack.com/p/the-strang...

edconway.substack.com

The Strange, Unsettling Story of British Steel

Why the fate of a blast furnace in Scunthorpe might have much deeper implications for this country

18307134

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Second, specific definitions of referendums, constituent assemblies, citizens’ juries and other extra-parliamentary processes are necessary to understand their differing constitutional implications. 4/ 🧵 ends

000

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Along with this, there are risks in being too quick to dismiss ideas such as ‘two-track democracy’ or the material constitution, which have different implications. 3/

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

First, despite the obvious normative difficulties with ideas of constituent power, there should be close engagement with non-Schmittian accounts of it that seek to overcome these challenges. 2/

100

Pravar Petkar @pravarpetkar.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Pleased to share my book review of Leah Trueblood’s Referendums as Representative Democracy, now published in Public Law Review. A short thread on some key points I make 🧵1/ papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

papers.ssrn.com

Book Review: Referendums as Representative Democracy

<span>Leah Trueblood’s monograph <i>Referendums as Representative Democracy</i> prompts us to re-think why modern constitutional democracies should hold referen

100