Sanjit Nagi

Delighted to be writing a book for @edinburghup.bsky.social titled:

“The Labour Party and the European Convention on Human Rights: A Legal Historiography”.

It will reveal how ideas about sovereignty shaped the party’s approach to the Convention from 1949 to present day.

Amazing footage of the 1931 National Government’s Cabinet assembling at No.10’s garden. Some big 20th century political figures involved—MacDonald, Baldwin, Snowden, Chamberlain et al.

A beautiful use of Michael Oakeshott’s ‘conservative disposition’—not to be mistaken with conservative politics—by French philosopher Jean-Claude Michéa. He is critical of the left’s unconditional support for ideas of progress or liberal progressivism.

Why manifesto promises should be considered sacred With economic pressures mounting, rumours were afoot that the most clearly defined and recognisable manifesto commitment—not raising income tax—was set to be broken. This led to an intense debate amon...

With the income tax saga in mind, I’ve written for @renewaljournal.bsky.social about why it is not constitutionally prudent to go beyond the boundaries of what has been sanctioned by the electorate. Importantly, I argue in support of the doctrine of the manifesto.
renewal.org.uk/blog/why-man...

Why manifesto promises should be considered sacred With economic pressures mounting, rumours were afoot that the most clearly defined and recognisable manifesto commitment—not raising income tax—was set to be broken. This led to an intense debate amon...

With the income tax saga in mind, I’ve written for @renewaljournal.bsky.social about why it is not constitutionally prudent to go beyond the boundaries of what has been sanctioned by the electorate. Importantly, I argue in support of the doctrine of the manifesto.
renewal.org.uk/blog/why-man...

The best and most persuasive account in favour of constitutional monarchy comes from Clement Attlee

The substantial decline of romantic and poetic language or themes in Labour Party manifestos is truly sad. By way of example, compare the rallying call to vote for Labour in the 1924 and 2024 manifesto

I've said this across on X already, but a very thoughtful piece and I appreciate the engagement with my own post!

My new article on Climate Change Litigation under the ECHR is out in @echr-law-review.bsky.social. (Thanks to my colleagues @lancasterlaw.bsky.social and @cohelongo.bsky.social for comments.)

brill.com/view/journal...

Incredibly sad to hear about the sudden passing of Professor Conor Gearty KC. A titan of Public Law and Human Rights scholarship. From examining my Ph.D. to offering career advice in the months after, Conor was uniquely kind and generous with his time. He will be sorely missed.

The New Statesman’s profile on Shabana Mahmood pin points what, imo, sets her apart from most in the Labour government and wider party—a communitarian belief in rights and duties. I’ve written about the Labour Party’s historical support for this and how it may help Blue Labour.

Some key passages:

Grateful to Dr. Richard Johnson (@richardmarcj on X) for citing me in this brilliant piece. A succinct historical overview of the Attlee government’s scepticism towards the ECHR. This was once a mainstream view in the party. Highly recommend reading!
t.co/ls4pKDZ1YG

A really enjoyable and informative read, congratulations!

With renewed interest in Blue Labour, I wrote a post that looks to develop its constitutionalism. More specifically, what does Blue Labour’s rejection of the “abstract ideal of the individual” in favour of “reciprocal obligations” and “solidarity” in society mean for rights?

In 1951, a young Anthony Crosland published an article titled “Prospects for the Council of Europe”—where he wrote persuasively and forcefully against the supranational institution. The full article is well worth a read, but these passages are particularly good

An enjoyable read, George. Thank you for the engagement and the counterpoints. Despite not agreeing entirely, they are very useful and something to reflect on!

The potential policy proposals to reform the ECHR and Human Rights Act 1998 might sound workable. But in my latest UKCLA post I argue that withdrawal from the Convention and repeal of the HRA 1998 is the only meaningful vehicle for change.

Thank you for the engagement with my post—I always appreciate hearing opposing views and arguments. All very valid points and things to think about on my side of the debate!

That is because the idea of reform is not new and has an unsuccessful track record. More importantly, advocates of reform fail to understand the broader difficulties the ECHR-HRA 1998 poses for the British constitution and elected majority in Parliament’s control over domestic decision-making.

The potential policy proposals to reform the ECHR and Human Rights Act 1998 might sound workable. But in my latest UKCLA post I argue that withdrawal from the Convention and repeal of the HRA 1998 is the only meaningful vehicle for change.

Sanjit Nagi: A Road to Nowhere: Reforming the European Convention on Human Rights Over the last few weeks criticism of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR/the Convention) and suggestions that the United Kingdom (U.K) should attempt to reform the supranational instrumen…

Sanjit Nagi: A Road to Nowhere: Reforming the European Convention on Human Rights ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/07/02/s...

And yeh: collectivism is really unfashionable (even inside the Labour Party) - many people are much more comfortable with individualism

My article on the Attlee government’s resistance of the ECHR and how this historical episode can inform contemporary Convention critical debates can be found in the April 2025 edn of Pubic Law

Revisiting the British Origins of the European Convention on Human Rights - Policy Exchange Download Publication Online Reader This new paper from Policy Exchange challenges the view that the European Convention on Human Rights is a “British legacy” – and that to leave the Convention would b...

Was the European Convention on Human Rights Churchill's legacy? Would leaving the ECHR betray the Tory tradition?

In a Policy Exchange paper with Conor Casey, we debunk these historical myths. With prefaces by Lords Sumption and (Andrew) Roberts. policyexchange.org.uk/publication/...

Revisiting the British Origins of the European Convention on Human Rights - Policy Exchange Download Publication Online Reader This new paper from Policy Exchange challenges the view that the European Convention on Human Rights is a “British legacy” – and that to leave the Convention would b...

Extremely grateful to the authors for citing my work in this superb report. It brilliantly sets out why ECHR withdrawal would not amount to a 'betrayal' of British legacy and recounts the often-neglected historical scepticism towards the Convention. A must read!
policyexchange.org.uk/publication/...

A good reminder that questions of money and economics are political and should be determined by political authority. It is not, as John Maynard Keynes claimed, “a bloodless scientific investigation”. What would Keynes have made of the growing economic constitution—OBR, Office for Value of Money etc?

With renewed interest in Blue Labour, I wrote a post that looks to develop its constitutionalism. More specifically, what does Blue Labour’s rejection of the “abstract ideal of the individual” in favour of “reciprocal obligations” and “solidarity” in society mean for rights?

Sanjit Nagi: A Blue Labour Constitutionalism: Rights and Duties Over the last three months, there has been a renewed interest in the concept and politics of ‘Blue Labour’—through media coverage, the formation of a Blue Labour parliamentary group, and the growin…

Sanjit Nagi: A Blue Labour Constitutionalism: Rights and Duties
ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/04/17/s...

Sanjit Nagi: “A Mandate for Change!”: Popular Sovereignty and the Labour Party The recent general election saw the Labour Party being elected with a majority of 171 seats in Parliament. The following morning, in his first speech as Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer claimed the na...

Sanjit Nagi: “A Mandate for Change!”: Popular Sovereignty and the Labour Party ukconstitutionallaw.org/2024/07/22/s...