Today, in response to an op-ed in the Daily Mail in which Iain “Bit of a thicky” Duncan Smith pushed Hanlon’s Razor to its limit with his “interpretation” of the Supreme Court proceedings, I published a series of tweets. They have proved, contrary to expectation, common sense and decency, to be quite popular, and I have had several requests to collate them in a blogpost. So for those who so wish, here I do. For those who aren’t fussed or have already seen, sorry for the diversion and have a nice day.
1. It is hard to know where to start with this litany of stupid from the dissembling IDS, but let’s try. https://t.co/sdE21R7kTn
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
2. “Self-styled legal commentators pontificating” – Which IDS is not, of course.
“Watching paint dry” – It’s a court case, not a circus. pic.twitter.com/kxmtzJ5pz4
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
3. That is not the question. It is not in dispute that Parliament is sovereign. He misunderstands the entire premise of the case. pic.twitter.com/xnxGDUycKW
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
4. There’s no question of judges “superseding” the wishes of MPs. The opposite – judges will decide whether wishes of MPs shd override govt. pic.twitter.com/SjptDX1wSp
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
5. The government’s own lawyers agreed that there was no possible perception of bias. This was on day 1 of those “boring” proceedings. pic.twitter.com/ppeokonUPh
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
6. It is real anger at gutter attempts to smear judges and undermine judicial independence for political gain. It is beneath contempt. pic.twitter.com/t8Rip8KUKW
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
7. IT’S NOT AS IF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE IS A “CENTURIES OLD EDIFICE THAT HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME”??!?!?!
I can’t even. Good grief. pic.twitter.com/PJIGkaxpCf
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
8. IDS on the creation of Supreme Court. I just thank god we now have IDS to offer us the “thoughtful debate” on the role of the judiciary. pic.twitter.com/k5DthJE7yO
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
9. A nice broad assertion entirely unsupported by evidence, there. “There are more judges making personal/political decisions cos I say so.” pic.twitter.com/QAHkan1KKG
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
10. Well OF COURSE the Human Rights Act is to blame. Why wouldn’t it be? After all, the courts NEVER interpreted constitutional law pre-1998 pic.twitter.com/Js8BlTKYQJ
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
11. Then Parliamentary sovereignty will have prevailed. Which is exactly what you want, right? pic.twitter.com/rv0RSZ65ZK
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
12. No. The judges will have interpreted the law. What happens thereafter politically is none of their concern. pic.twitter.com/zeYCMk2ONb
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
13. It is clearly pertinent to know about judges’ sexuality and fencing pursuits, is that your argument? pic.twitter.com/sV37JhSWwd
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
14. Your entire argument is an allegation that the court is not independent. How can this be anything OTHER than an attack on independence? pic.twitter.com/5EKKa7IF47
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
15. If you do not understand the chasm between the UK and US constitutions, I can’t help you in a tweet. Go read a book. Then try again. pic.twitter.com/zanAzlZwOJ
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
16. The way to depoliticise the judges is to make them directly answerable to people like you. That’s your argument? pic.twitter.com/pTl7IRYg3h
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
17. Finally, an open challenge – what question would you as an MP ask at a confirmation hearing that would be both relevant and apolitical?
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) December 7, 2016
Update: If you would like to see the above tweets set in a video to music – and, frankly, who wouldn’t? – see here from The Huffington Post.