Emeritus Prof Christopher May

If you are sitting in the UK, looking across at the Tangerine Tyrant's bypassing of democratic scrutiny by using a wide range of executive orders, and thinking 'well thank god that won't happen here'.... think again.

As @davidallengreen points out, an incoming illiberal or autocratic leader can use differently named but similarly functioning aspects of the British (unwritten) constitution to do pretty much the same.

You have been warned!

#politics #constitution #UK
https://theemptycity.com/blog/2026/03/the-prospect-of-executive-orders-being-used-by-an-incoming-illiberal-government/

The prospect of “executive orders” being used by an incoming illiberal government

Spring Equinox, 2026 * Hello and welcome to The Empty City blog, the new name of which is explained here. * Last weekend there was a news article about the Reform party which contained this passage…

The Empty City
Mar 21 at 8:04amWeb
Show threadNini2d ago
@ChrisMayLA6 @davidallengreen If anything I'd have reckoned we're even more at risk from autocratic rule, we haven't got many legal or constitutional barriers to running roughshod over rule of law.
Show threadBashStKid2d ago
@ChrisMayLA6 @davidallengreen We’ve already seen the Palestine Action ban via statutory instrument.
What was a simple method to provide technical updates to legislation has spread out like hidden dry rot, because it is so easy and opaque.
Show threadKerplunk2d ago

@ChrisMayLA6 @davidallengreen

As @davidallengreen points out, an incoming illiberal or autocratic leader can use differently named but similarly functioning aspects of the British (unwritten) constitution to do pretty much the same.

Watch UK Labour and Starmer very closely, they are financed by a foreign power,.

In moments of Truthfulness,

Starmer has repeatedly stated his admiration and understanding for Trump

Show threadShivviness2d ago

@ChrisMayLA6 @davidallengreen

Learning many moons ago during my law degree that our constitutional system is in large part predicated on everyone being a "good chap" was somewhat terrifying me.

Farage will have no bother in dragging us into fascism proper, though an argument can be made we're already most of the way there.

Show threadPēteris Krišjānis1d ago
@Shivviness @ChrisMayLA6 @davidallengreen well that is pretty much British legal system built both UK and USA.
Also it is obviously done so that popular vote wouldn't stop rich people party. Because that would make them sad.
Show threadTorgeir Fjeld1d ago
@ChrisMayLA6 @davidallengreen Time to reread Wilhelm Reich and the Frankfurt School on the authoritarian personality.
Show threadJames Wells1d ago

@ChrisMayLA6
Not quite related, but something I feel needs to be said.

In the US, *executive orders are not laws*, instead they are orders to one of the three co-equal branches of the US government.

This is why Marijuana is still illegal in the US, Obama used an executive order to tell the justice department (part of the executive branch) not to enforce the existing laws. The law is still on the books and can be, and is being, used to prosecute various people
@davidallengreen

Show threadDash1d ago

@ChrisMayLA6 @davidallengreen The two apparent priorities of the Starmer government:

- Make Farage look appealing enough to win the next election.

- Make sure he has all the necessary tools in place (protest bans, ministerial control over the internet, etc) to do fascism as soon as he gets through the door.

Show threadLionelB1d ago

@ChrisMayLA6 @davidallengreen

Never mind the incoming. We have exactly that with Labour.

Show threadH4Heights 🇪🇺🇵🇸🇺🇦🇨🇦1d ago
@ChrisMayLA6 @davidallengreen
The one thing in our favour is our independent judiciary, certainly compared to the political appointees of the SCOTUS. The “honourable member” guardrails are pretty feeble and given the nefarious nature of fascist heirs apparent (alleged), we could be in deep shit.
Show threadVerđandi K Soldusty1d ago

@ChrisMayLA6 @davidallengreen
Considering nobody did anything to stop the Tories & their shit until the Tories foolishly allowed an election (maybe they were finally bored of having responsibilty) we pretty much know. Also, our constitution is not set in stone (metaphorically speaking) as the US's is supposed to be. Also, why nobody did or at least the public couldn't see anyone doing anything to stop the tories at the time.

Now we've landed with Tory Lite, led by Trump's lapdog, Starmer. At the rate things are going it feels as though we're (UK) screwed, it's just the ocean between us & the suite of morons in Washington slowing the UK decent down.