Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Internal market bill lives up to its billing
Reports that the UK Internal Market Bill would tear up the EU withdrawal agreement have been causing political ructions all week. Today, the full text of the bill was published, and it looks very much as advertised. Section 45 of the bill states that ministerial regulations apply "notwithstanding any relevant international or domestic law with…
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Government legal head quits over threat to Northern Ireland protocol – FT
The FT’s Sebastian Payne is reporting that the head of the UK Government’s Legal Department, Sir Jonathan Jones, has resigned over attempts to undermine the UK’s obligations under the EU withdrawal agreement.
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UK Government points tactical nuke at the Irish border
Today’s Financial Times reports that the British Government is planning legislation to over-ride parts of the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union, threatening the protocol that ensures there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland.
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Finucane family welcomes Council of Europe decision
The Irish Government and the family of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane have welcomed a decision by the Council of Europe, calling on the British government to fulfil its human rights obligations in relation to the 1989 killing. The Council has also expressed concern about the British Government's proposals to deal with the legacy…
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Police chiefs criticise legacy proposals
A number of senior police officers criticised the government's proposals for dealing with the legacy of the past in testimony to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee this week. PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne told the committee that many people still favour implementation of the Stormont House Agreement, rather than the plan announced in March…
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Tributes paid to John Hume
Former SDLP leader John Hume died in the early hours of this morning, his family has announced. Here are some of the tributes to the architect of the Good Friday Agreement. "John Hume, through his words, his astute diplomacy and willingness to listen… transformed and remodeled politics in Ireland and the search for peace, with…
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Working in the dark? Willie Carlin and British intelligence
Thatcher's Spy: My Life as an MI5 agent inside Sinn Féin, by Willie Carlin. Merrion Press, 2019. Amazon/Bookshop/Hive This autobiography of Willie Carlin, a former British intelligence agent inside Sinn Fein, garnered significant press attention on publication last year. That's not surprising given that Carlin's career crossed paths with key figures from Martin McGuinness to…
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Sinn Féin tops poll in the Irish general election
If you're following the Irish general election count today, I recommend Newstalk for discussion and RTE for results. Sinn Féin look to have won the popular vote, but a lack of candidates means they may not overtake Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on seats. It's too early to say whether they will end up…
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Johnson’s Brexit victory leaves huge uncertainty for Northern Ireland and Scotland
After a massively consequential election on 12 December, the UK is now pretty certain to leave the EU within two months. Yet huge uncertainty remains about the UK's future outside the bloc. The lack of debate over Brexit during the election leaves Johnson with freedom to go far a hard Brexit or pivot to a…
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Jeremy Corbyn – The DUP connection
The DUP could talk to Labour in a hung Parliament, but only if it was led by someone other than Jeremy Corbyn, Arlene Foster suggested at the weekend. However, there are signs that some in the DUP take a more nuanced view. The Belfast Telegraph's political editor Suzanne Breen noted that East Antrim MP Sammy…
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