iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 7h

Your favourite cathedral in autumn sun

Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 14h

I’ve lost track of the number of “red tape challenges” I’ve lived through - commitments to “slash regulations”, “roll back the frontiers of the state”, blah blah. Sure have a go. Repealing obscure, already obsolete rules doesn’t count

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David Anderson @bricksilk.bsky.social · 17h

Letter printed in The Times today

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Nick Macpherson @nickmacpherson.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The Treasury will be well pleased with the commitment to abolish the triple lock, restore a health and care levy and to begin a serious debate on our relations with the EU. It will be nervous about social care - it always is - but will recognise that something has to give. #soundmoney #freetrade

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Farewell to Summer. A Manhattan variant with Amante 1530

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Farewell to Summer. A Manhattan variant with Amante 1530

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It’s all very well blaming lawyers and judges for blocking big infrastructure projects (and there were indeed multiple challenges to the HR 3rd runway scheme). But such projects need consistent political commitment too. And long delays open the way to fresh legal challenges

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Good morning from the west turret of Jones Towers. Another tower is lurking behind that tree

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Good morning from the west turret of Jones Towers. Another tower is lurking behind that tree

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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

NEW When should ministers avoid acting unlawfully? How new government guidance emphasises the risk of getting caught as the key factor By me, at @prospectmagazine.co.uk www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...

If a minister does an unlawful act but it is not legally challenged, does it matter? This is in one way the constitutional law version of the philosophical question about whether a tree falling in a forest makes any sound.

But it is not an abstract issue, for a great deal of what governments do and do not do will never be put before a court, but should be in accordance with the law anyway.

The notion of the “rule of law” should mean that there is a lawful basis for each action and inaction by the state. For everything the government does and does not do, one should be able to point to some relevant law.

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Legislating for the past: what is retrospective legislation and when is it ok? With particular reference to political donations By me for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/retr...

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Legislating for the past: What is retrospective legislation and when is it ok? | Institute for Government

What is meant by “retrospective” legislation, and can it ever be acceptable?

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Cath Haddon @cathhaddon.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Really helpful piece by @sirjjkc.bsky.social for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on the tricky question of how and when retrospective legislation is appropriate and what it it might mean for the legislation currently in Lords on political donations. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/retr...

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Legislating for the past: What is retrospective legislation and when is it ok? | Institute for Government

What is meant by “retrospective” legislation, and can it ever be acceptable?

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Today’s #FridayCocktail has an autumnal mood. But with a little summery lemon. It’s a (version of a) Blackthorn. Sloe gin, gin, white vermouth, lemon juice, syrup, angostura bitters

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Today’s #FridayCocktail has an autumnal mood. But with a little summery lemon. It’s a (version of a) Blackthorn. Sloe gin, gin, white vermouth, lemon juice, syrup, angostura bitters

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Cath Haddon @cathhaddon.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

In 2021 we looked at how legal advice intersects with policy making. We came to same conclusion the govt now seems to have drawn: ultimately its for ministers to decide how much legal risk they want to take. They have the power to set the culture. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Judicial review and policy making | Institute for Government

Ministers and officials should accept that judicial review improves policy.

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Here’s the new government legal risk guidance. I’m writing about it for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk to come out later assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a9fce...

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

New guidance to ministers on • consultations: there are to be fewer of them • legal risk: ministers are to be “empowered to accept higher levels of legal risk” • judicial review: further limits to JR of big infrastructure projects www.gov.uk/government/p...

gov.uk

The Simplification and Agency of Government - Letter to all ministers

A joint letter from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the First Secretary of State, and the Attorney General to all ministers.

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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

David Torrance has published a new research briefing for the House of Commons Library covering the arguments for and against a 'written' constitution. The Prime Minister appeared to speak in favour of a written constitution last month. Read it 👇️

commonslibrary.parliament.uk

Why does the UK not have a "written" constitution?

The UK does not have a codified “written” constitution. What are the arguments for and against having one?

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

gov.uk

The Simplification and Agency of Government - Letter to all ministers

A joint letter from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the First Secretary of State, and the Attorney General to all ministers.

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Another Canadian-themed cocktail this week. It’s called a Wild Manhattan (Not that wild by the standards of Jones Towers) 50 ml Bearface Canadian whiskey 25 ml red vermouth 7.5 Fernet Branca 7.5 Syrup Dash orange bitters

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Perhaps the party spokesman meant “we will of course respect the role of the independent judiciary in interpreting and applying the law, in accordance with our proud British traditions of fair play and respect for the rule of law”

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Government by emergency powers? Sidelining the judiciary and civil service? May be worth dusting off this piece I write about “enabling acts”, “executive orders” and all that. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Is government by executive order a plausible model for the UK? | Institute for Government

Senior Reform UK members are reportedly exploring a US-style executive order approach to government.

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Is government by executive order a plausible model for the UK? | Institute for Government

Senior Reform UK members are reportedly exploring a US-style executive order approach to government.

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Trivial pronunciation point. Has the convention for pronouncing “the” before a vowel changed? I always thought it was “thuh” before a consonant, “thi” before a vowel. Now everywhere (including, especially, the BBC) I hear “thuh end” “thuh eighth” etc Sounds awkward to me, even childish 🤷‍♂️

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Today’s #FridayCocktail has a Canadian theme, for geopolitical reasons. And also I fancied it. It’s a Toronto (Canadian whisky, Fernet-Branca, syrup, angostura bitters)

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Today’s #FridayCocktail has a Canadian theme, for geopolitical reasons. And also I fancied it. It’s a Toronto (Canadian whisky, Fernet-Branca, syrup, angostura bitters)

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This is a v good summary of the Hillsborough Law. I confess I had doubts about the original idea of the Bill. However laudable the aims, would there be undesirable consequences - a chilling effect, unfair penalisation of officials? (Much as some of the champions of FOIA now regret it)

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Alice Lilly @aliceolilly.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Some 🚨personal news🚨 After 11 brilliant years at IfG (time that on a personal level has included one cross-country move and the addition of one child) I've decided it's time for a new challenge! From 1 Sept I'm going freelance. If you'd like to work together, I'm on alice[at]aliceolilly[dot]com

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

In the 1997 general election a vexatious litigant tried to stand against the outgoing Attorney General, Sir Nicolas Walter Lyell, under the same name. By a “happy wrinkle” the imposter’s name was misprinted as *Sid* Nicholas Walter Lyell

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Have just seen an article on what will happen to Harry and Meghan’s dogs when they move. Perhaps I’ve had too much sun. Or not enough negroni

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

It’s rather early in the year, but when nature gives you blackberries, make a Bramble #FridayCocktail

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

It’s rather early in the year, but when nature gives you blackberries, make a Bramble #FridayCocktail

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Philip Taylor @philipjtaylor.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Sue Gray: Working in Keir Starmer’s No 10 was 'unbearable' www.msn.com/en-gb/news/o...

msn.com

MSN

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Reasons I’m not a politician No 322: If I were under a parliamentary investigation for misconduct, I wouldn’t trigger a pointless and costly circus of a by-election, draw endless attention to myself, and refuse to turn up to the declaration, so that the investigation is revived months later

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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Hope @iandunt.bsky.social won't mind when I say that this is essentially the same take as PG Wodehouse's when, in 1938, he has Bertie Wooster say,

“The trouble with you, Spode, is that just because you have succeeded in inducing a handful of half-wits to disfigure the London scene by going about in black shorts, you think you’re someone. You hear them shouting ‘Heil, Spode!’ and you imagine it is the Voice of the People. That is where you make your bloomer. What the Voice of the People is saying is: ‘Look at that frightful ass Spode swanking about in footer bags! Did you ever in your puff see such a perfect perisher?’”

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Btw why would it be “humiliating” to stand next to people you’ve decisively beaten?

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

This is madness. Are they trying to kill Soho & the West End? I live there. I’ve never been “disturbed” by people standing in pubs or outside them. What would greatly “disturb” me would be pubs refusing to serve me because they’d run out of chairs

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