Everyone is analysing the implications of the byelection for Keir Starmer and Labour but the most important lessons are for democracy - my latest for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gort...
28.02.2026 11:24 — 👍 80 🔁 36 💬 9 📌 9
New comment piece from me and @hcdunlop.bsky.social on independent commissioners.
We say that govts fail to recognise the long-term commitment that comes with establishing commissioners. Commissioners need sufficient resources and ongoing engagement from govt to maintain credibility and succeed.
Govt’s proposed SEND reforms contain positive ideas to move the system towards early intervention.
But there are tensions the govt has not yet worked through between investing in these changes quickly and ensuring reforms are fully evidenced.
Ethics in public life can’t be fixed by rules alone.
Our comment, by @timdurrant.bsky.social and @rebeccamckee.bsky.social argues that stronger standards still rely on ministers using good judgement, and knowing when their actions undermine trust.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/ethi...
@jackworlidge.bsky.social, @hannahkeenan.bsky.social and I take a look at what’s facing Antonia Romeo in her new role 👇
20.02.2026 09:07 — 👍 3 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0
Really enjoyed discussing what it's like being an @instituteforgovernment.org.uk researcher at the "Working in the think tank sector" event at @resolutionfoundation.org yesterday. Recording available below, with the "Day in a life" panel starting from 1:43.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2S1...
Antonia Romeo appointed as cabinet secretary - @alexgathomas.bsky.social and I wrote last week about the challenges ahead for her and what lessons need to be taken from Wormald's tenure: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/next...
19.02.2026 09:30 — 👍 11 🔁 13 💬 0 📌 3
There's still time to register for this afternoon's Working in a Think Tank event!
I'll be joining the 4.30 panel - talking about what policy impact looks like for us at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk.
Tune in to watch that, and more: www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/worki...
Have written about how the below is one symptom of a really bad set-up at the centre of government. It makes sense that in the moment prime ministers keep trying to find a different person to do various jobs, but the problem is also a structural one, and the dysfunctional structure keeps on winning
18.02.2026 14:38 — 👍 35 🔁 21 💬 4 📌 2
Thank you Playbook for the shout-out this morning- piece is here www.politicshome.com/news/article...
18.02.2026 08:42 — 👍 21 🔁 6 💬 0 📌 0Me, @matthewfright.bsky.social and @meganisaac.bsky.social on another messy u-turn.
18.02.2026 09:50 — 👍 3 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
Working in the think tank sector Webinar for undergraduates or those with similar experience interested in working in the sector Think tanks are research organisations that develop ideas and suggestions for action on a whole range of subjects affecting society. Using research, analysis and commentary, we aim to inform and influence politicians, policy makers and the public. This event is aimed at people from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups, people with work-limiting health conditions or impairments, young adults with caring responsibilities (including young parents), mature students, people from lower-income backgrounds, care leavers and LGBT+ students. Wednesday 18 February 2026 3:30 pm - 6:05 pm
Thinking of a career in think tanks?
On Wednesday, we're hosting a webinar for undergraduates or those with similar experience interested in working in the sector. We'll have speakers from numerous organisations sharing their insight and experience.
Register here 👉 buff.ly/a3cO0df
Our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk conclusion on Chris Wormald’s time as cabinet secretary - and what needs to come next
By me and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/next...
Times (and apparently Cabinet Ministers) apparently confusing Labour Party rules with U.K. constitution
Labour Party rules set out what happens if LEADER of party is ‘permanently unavailable’. But they dont match up the principles, precedents and expectations about what happens fo replace a PM. 1/
This explainer is very good on the topical offence of Misconduct in Public Office.
Useful detail on when it has been used re politicians.
Great new explainer on the May elections from our devo team - full of charts and maps
@meganisaac.bsky.social @matthewfright.bsky.social @akashpaun.bsky.social
My take on the government's plan for police reform: a welcome attempt at ambitious, long-term change – but one that risks making police leadership and accountability too remote from local areas 🧵
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poli...
I have a report out today on the near-perennial question of why UK governments struggle to stick at growth policy in anything like a strategic way. Some hurried points:- 0/
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Some thoughts from myself and my colleague @cassiarowland.bsky.social on Darren Jones' vision for a "digital state" and government's new digital roadmap. It's a good vision with some encouraging initiatives - but it needs a clearer plan
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/digi...
Short comment from me about SEND reform:
Legal rights are a much-relied-upon safeguard in the SEND system, but they can complicate efforts to make education more inclusive.
Govt must acknowledge and carefully navigate that tension, with parents and other stakeholders
I spoke at the House of Lords Justice & Home Affairs Committee yesterday, on behalf of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, on immigration, citizenship and integration. Thanks to @jlowen.bsky.social, @cassiarowland.bsky.social and @hcdunlop.bsky.social for help on prep!
Session here: tinyurl.com/372h6jdk
Some thoughts on Darren Jones's speech yesterday - some good CS reforms! But if your best bet on 'getting stuff done' is to create a taskforce outside the system, it's the system that needs to change...
21.01.2026 17:54 — 👍 13 🔁 6 💬 1 📌 0
NEW REPORT: the gov’s proposals for judge-only trials will deliver only marginal savings and distract from the real route out of this crisis: reversing recent falls in court productivity.
22.01.2026 07:41 — 👍 152 🔁 80 💬 6 📌 6
In west London for @darrenpjones.bsky.social speech on reforming government
An audience of politicians, the media, think tankers and the like. As far as I can see no cabinet secretary or perm secs… not a great signal for what comes next
In a couple of hours we'll be hearing from Darren Jones about his plans to 'move fast and fix things' in government - you can watch it here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/modern...
Excited to be joining the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk team in March to continue the great work @cathhaddon.bsky.social and team have been doing at the @ifgacademy.bsky.social.
Thank you for the warm welcome I have received already!
After Darren Jones joined IfG this week, @hannahkeenan.bsky.social and I had some thoughts about how he can make good on his plans for reforming the state:
- show that his plan is different to those that have come before
- ensure he's not spreading himself too thinly
- set a clear vision
Interesting write-up of our conference this week in Chris Smyth’s FT newsletter
www.ft.com/content/c665...
Very much enjoying this year's IFG conference (you can watch it all in your own time in the comfort of your own home on YouTube!)
13.01.2026 15:59 — 👍 12 🔁 4 💬 2 📌 0
A small multiple of scatter plots from the Institute for Government showing civil servant engagement compared to satisfaction with four aspects of their working experience – ‘my work’, ‘leadership and managing change’, ‘learning and development’ and ‘pay and benefits’ – by department, 2024, where the first two themes are strongly correlated with overall engagement and the latter two are particularly uncorrelated with overall engagement.
I updated some analysis looking at the key drivers of civil servant engagement
Using data from the Civil Service People Survey, I found that civil servants’ day-to-day work and the leadership they receive drive engagement much more than factors such as the L&D offer or pay
