Alex Thomas

The government’s decision to delay mayoral elections cannot be justified on democratic or fairness grounds | Institute for Government The government has postponed the May 2026 mayoral elections in Greater Essex, Sussex and Brighton, Hampshire and the Solent, and Norfolk and Suffolk.

Our devolution experts had their Weetabix today

@akashpaun.bsky.social @matthewfright.bsky.social @shawharriet.bsky.social @meganisaac.bsky.social

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

Should the UK do budgets differently? | Institute for Government As Rachel Reeves is accused of misleading the public, the IfG's experts discuss how well the UK does budgets, and Lammy's plans for judge-only trials.

PODCAST 🎙️Should the UK do budgets differently?

As Reeves is accused of misleading the public, @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @gemmatetlow.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social discuss how well the UK does budgets.

PLUS Lammy's judge-only trials plans
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

The government still has questions to answer on digital IDs | Institute for Government What does the government need to do to move its digital ID plans forward?

But the cost is not the only question govt needs to answer to make this scheme work. Following our panel with @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @matthewfeeney.bsky.social @morganwild.bsky.social & Sir David Normington, I highlight some qs for govt: (4/4)

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...

The govt appears committed to driving forward digital IDs - the responsibility for the scheme now sits in the Cabinet Office, led by Darren Jones, and was described by Liz Kendall in the science, innovation and technology committee today as one of the PM's "top priorities" (1/4)

This isn't unique to the covid inquiry but it does highlight some key issues - this lunchtime I'll be joined by an excellent panel to discuss the covid inquiry & whether inquiries are a good way for the government to learn lessons www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

The Covid Inquiry has missed vital lessons on how to make better decisions | Institute for Government We have not learnt much that is new from the inquiry’s Module Two report.

New from @alexgathomas.bsky.social and I on the missed opportunity of the covid inquiry's module 2 report to dig deeper into how decisions were made in government during the pandemic

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/covi...

Are public inquiries a good way for government to learn lessons? | Institute for Government Join us to discuss the lessons from the second Covid Inquiry report and what it means for how future governments approach crisis management.

If you’re interested in this come along to our event this lunchtime

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

The Covid Inquiry has missed vital lessons on how to make better decisions | Institute for Government We have not learnt much that is new from the inquiry’s Module Two report.

Here’s a new piece from @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and me on how the Covid Inquiry’s second module missed the opportunity to really dig into how decisions were made in the heart of government

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/covi...

Thank you!

Ha - well we do the best we can

Thanks Stephen!

Ta!

Likewise! With so many great colleagues

Thanks Colin, much appreciated

Thanks Martin!

Thank you!

Thank you Owen

[personal news, cough]

Very excited to be taking up this new role @instituteforgovernment.org.uk alongside brilliant colleagues

I love working for the IfG and have enjoyed every minutes of my nearly six years (can’t believe it) here

Can’t wait to get stuck into the new job in Jan

Return of the Spider Woman: Lady Hale tours Britain’s courts With the Law on Our Side is a pleasingly old-fashioned look at our legal system by the former president of the Supreme Court

While I was offline I reviewed Baroness Hale of Richmond's newest book. It's actually very good! I'm going soft. Free link here @ www.thetimes.com/article/6dd6...

Big parliamentary winner today imho: Nus Ghani

Channelling Betty Boothroyd, authority with humour. Much needed in the HoC

An image for an IfG webinar. Autumn budget 2025: What is Rachel Reeves’ plan for the economy? Wednesday 26 November 2025, 16:00 — 17:00 (GMT) An expert line up featuring Dan Haile, Jill Rutter, and Giles Wilkes. The webinar will be chaired by Dr Hannah White.

Want instant expert analysis of Rachel Reeves' 2025 autumn budget?

Then tune in live at 16:00 to hear from @danhaile.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social @gilesyb.bsky.social @drhannahwhite.bsky.social 📺 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/autumn...

Novel but thought-provoking budget commentary

Also - of course - the Reith lectures aren’t reporting… I think a reporter could happily and factually say this, but a lecture is… a lecture

If one person says it’s raining, another says it’s not, you look out of the window. And if you see a Qatari jet given to a government, and a lot of other stuff, then…

LIVE BLOG | Autumn budget 2025: Rachel Reeves prepares to announce tax measures | Institute for Government IfG experts analyse Reeves' budget and explore what the chancellor's plans for the economy, tax and spending mean.

In a new departure, we @instituteforgovernment.org.uk are going to be live blogging the Budget all through tomorrow. The live blog is now live and we will be sharing our pre-Budget thoughts there, followed by responses once we hear the CX's speech www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...

If Trump leads to a catastrophe in American governance, expect his plans to be dismissed with the disdain they deserve

Who’d have thunk it?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/trum...

It remains insane to me that DOGE was treated at the time as an impressive shock and awe accomplishment - “you can’t deny he’s getting stuff done!” - and then instantly memory holed by the press once if became clear it was a total failure by every possible standard including Musk’s own

Oman or Tenerife…