Thread by @RobertCPalmer13

The constitutional crisis created by the Ref2016 has not gone away - it's getting worse.

With Raab now serving as Dept. PM, Sec. of State for Justice & Lord Chancellor it's not just democracy & the rule of law that is under threat.

Things are getting scary....

[Thread] 1/

https://twitter.com/redhistorian/status/1450012250308292610

For a liberal democratic govt to function properly, it's essential to have separation of powers so that the power is distributed to separate branches within the govt. This is one of the most basic concepts underlying the majority of modern democracies.

2/

The separation of powers limits corruption within the govt by using the system of checks & balances. If the power of judging were joined to executive power, then the person who wields such power could have the force of an oppressor. But that power has been given to Raab.

3/

“There's no liberty, if the power of judging isn't separated from the legislative & executive. If it were joined to legislative power, the power over the life & liberty... would be arbitrary... the judge would be the legislator."

Raab is in the executive (as he's Dept PM).

4/

The UK is one of the most peculiar states in the world. It is one of 3 states which do not have a written constitution, as such the separation of powers, as any law student can tell you, is fairly weak. But it exists for a purpose. To stop tyrannical rule.

5/

Our weak separation of powers was addressed by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. Before, the LC acted as the head of the Judiciary, was a member of the Cabinet & presided over the HoL as its Speaker. The CRA 2005 removed the LC from his position in the Judiciary.

6/

By appointing Raab as both LC & Dept PM, we are in a precarious position. Raab is accountable to himself (so's the govt). LC's are extremely powerful and there's no way one should also be the Dept PM. One man has far too much power for any constitution to bear.

7/

With this power, Raab is already creating false narratives that are the type of thing that would frighten any rights loving democrat that's used to liberal democracy ordinarily protecting such rights.

8/

https://twitter.com/JMPSimor/status/1449648602146611200?s=20

With the right to protest diluted, the removal of fundamental freedoms (when the CFR was abolished after Brexit) and Raab intent on hand-picking which judicial decisions he thinks are right (in the absence of any accountability or scrutiny) authoritarianism is a real threat.

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