Best of the Spectator

The Edition: Chambers of horrors, the ‘Dubai-ification’ of London & the enduring obsession with Diana

May 1, 2025
Michael Gove, The Spectator's editor and former Justice Secretary, dives into the radical influence of Garden Court Chambers on British law. Writer Louise Perry discusses the allure of Dubai for British youth, touching on its cultural export that may shift London's character. Royal commentator Angela Levin and writer Philip Hensher explore society's lasting obsession with Princess Diana, reflecting on her impact and legacy nearly three decades on, raising questions about public mourning and the monarchy's evolving relationship with its people.
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INSIGHT

Garden Court's Radical Legal Activism

  • Garden Court Chambers operates as a radical left-wing legal cell in London, often defending criminals to stay in the country and climate protesters ideologically.
  • Their cases raise questions about impartiality and legal activism surpassing democratic politics.
INSIGHT

The 'Right to Family Life' Legal Tool

  • Garden Court barristers frequently use the 'right to family life' to prevent deportations, expanding human rights law.
  • This approach challenges democratically elected policies and fuels debate on leaving the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
ADVICE

Parliament Should Reassert Itself

  • Parliament must reassert itself against judicial activism that bypasses democratic processes.
  • Elected representatives should determine laws on migration and protest balance, not courts shifting law via rulings.
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