The Ordinary Elite - E12 - Why do politicians hate juries?

The Ordinary Elite - E12 - Why do politicians hate juries?

From The Ordinary Elite by The Ordinary Elite

December 17, 2025 · 46 min · Season 4 · Episode 12

About this episode

The episode discusses the Labour party's opposition to juries in England and Wales with guest Dean M Thomson.

The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 12th episode of Season 4, we're joined by Dean M Thomson, a lecturer in logic and philosophy with Beijing Normal - Hong Kong Baptist University, United International College (UIC). Dean has written an essay entitled, " Why Labour Hates Juries: The Unmanageable Heart of English Liberty ". We examine Labour's longstanding desire to abolish trial by jury in England and Wales - which is also an issue that many MSPs at Holyrood appear to favour too. We ask why do our politicians hate juries?

People in this episode

Hosts: John McGovern, Mike Dailly

Guest: Dean M Thomson

Topics covered

  • politics
  • juries
  • legal system
  • Labour party
  • social justice
  • philosophy

Keywords

  • politicians
  • juries
  • Labour
  • trial by jury
  • social justice
  • philosophy
  • legal system

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Labour, Beijing Normal - Hong Kong Baptist University, United International College (UIC)

Books & works: Why Labour Hates Juries: The Unmanageable Heart of English Liberty

Places: England, Wales, Scotland, Glasgow

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