Grace Thompson

@mattchorley.bsky.social after a demanding week, your @newstatesman.com piece on what politicians eat has picked me up. Had me both chuckling and feeling ravenous! 😅

Walking back from church yesterday, I sat down to take in this gorgeous view. I love watching people enjoying being on Parliament Square, in the foreground of a building special to many of us!

Trump will destroy world trade, but democracies can defend themselves – and each other | Anders Fogh Rasmussen We need a trade block, a D7, that would mirror Nato. An economic attack on one would be an attack on all, says former Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen

Interesting thoughts here - a Democratic 7 (D7) trade bloc creating a new platform of economic cooperation and accounting for c. 35% global trade vol. Reminiscent of the old Democracies 10 idea rallying US and allies who were strategically likeminded...

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

If you want to be inspired and/or have a little cry, head over to @foylesforbooks.bsky.social on Charing Cross Road for this installation promoting @rutgerbregman.com's new book on Moral Ambition. Singled out an ambition I particularly applaud 👏

Cringe! How millennials became uncool They are mocked by gen Z for everything from their trainer socks to their mom jeans and selfie technique. A maligned millennial asks: how did we get here?

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Not at all feeling self-conscious as I pull on my trainer socks and 'mom' jeans today 🤣🤣🤣

As a planner by nature, I rather enjoyed Douglas Alexander quoting Art of War in @houseofcommons.parliament.uk today - 'tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.'

Premature babies' special delivery from London knitting group An east London knitting group has delivered handmade hats and blankets to a hospital neonatal unit.

There's all the darkness of the current news and then, there's this 🧶 www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...

Gotta love a surprise from Mum 🥰 @groomb.bsky.social's Northerners! Balm to the soul. My Mum's sweet 'tell' when sending mail is she is the only one, other than my bank, to use my middle initial! 😅

Belated Secret Santa gift at work...veiled message from a colleague? 😂

And, for all the many other changes that can't be covered in a simple overview article...check out the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade's trade and customs regulatory calendar. www.export.org.uk/resources/uk...

What does 2025 hold for UK trade policy? A few thoughts!
www.export.org.uk/insights/fea...

Moving and educational experience - a life so tortured brought forth such beauty! Well worth a visit! vangoghexpo.com

On wokeness, patriotism and change, Kamala Harris’s defeat has lessons for Starmer | Deborah Mattinson and Claire Ainsley Two former senior advisers to Labour analyse the clear messages from US voters’ preference for Trump

Strong piece here, from two former Lab advisers. Agree with the conclusion that a strong overarching 'change' narrative is needed from government. Comms failings let down many administrations, often needlessly! Never underestimate the power of a forward looking story - context cushions challenges.

'Export is exciting...if it's not part of your business strategy it should be'. Positive words from Adriana Santos, Tracklements at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade's Import Export Show.

Industrial Policies: France, Germany and Italy As the UK government reviews evidence submitted by stakeholders to its Modern Industrial Strategy consultation, I want to take a look at industrial policy priorities of other similar economies to the UK. Of course, this is not the first time that the UK has developed an formal industrial strategy. Many of us remember the one conceived under the Theresa May administration (yes, that really is four Prime Ministers ago!). Whilst the strategy proposed by the current government has eight ‘growth driv

Short comparison piece looking at key industrial policies of France, Germany and Italy. The UK's own recent industrial strategy consultation got me wondering how much we actually align to the industrial priorities of nearby economies.
www.westminsterobservatory.com/post/industr...

Husband in Iowa decorates entire street for wife’s Christmas joy John Reichart transforms his street into a winter wonderland for his wife Joan, who has Alzheimer’s.

I'm not crying, you're crying...just wow! www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...

Who could not admire such devotion to a cuppa?! ☕️

Fab time exploring @drjohnsonshouse.bsky.social - a beautiful gem of a museum! Very cosy Christmas feel with all the decorations up, too 🎄 100% worth a visit to learn about this pivotal literary figure!

"What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure."

These cold, bright days bring out such a beauty to Westminster!

One of the highlights of my day hearing @martinlewismse.bsky.social speaking at @newstatesman.com's Politics Live today. Few can match him on sheer passion to help people understand their monetary options.

Can the UK do budget Bidenomics? Following Trump's victory, President Biden's flagship policy agenda looks dead in the water. Can Labour do it better?

Fab piece from @newstatesman.com's Jonny Ball on whether a Bidenomics model would fit the UK's medium, service-led economy, whilst facing infrastructure rebuilds. Mindful, as I read the challenges, that the UK's 'severe regional imbalances in wealth' are connected to regional export disparities.

Following the intro trend! I work in public affairs for The Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade.

More broadly, I'm absolutely passionate about the creation of policies to help the most vulnerable in society and am also a bit of a political geek!

Excited to delve into 🔵🌌