Alex Thomas
@alexgathomas.bsky.social
Executive Director, Institute for Government. Ex-Cabinet Office, Defra, Dept of Health. Interested in all things good government
Reposted by Alex Thomas
Rishi Sunak has been understandably reluctant to give too much oxygen to racialised comments that he can't be English. He told cohesion commission this week it partly reflects incentives for "shock jockery"+provocative bigoted language in the "attention economy"
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘I’m British, English and British Asian’, says Rishi Sunak in riposte to racially charged debate over identity
Podcaster claimed former prime minister not English because he is ‘brown-skinned Hindu’
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:57 PM
Rishi Sunak has been understandably reluctant to give too much oxygen to racialised comments that he can't be English. He told cohesion commission this week it partly reflects incentives for "shock jockery"+provocative bigoted language in the "attention economy"
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
Peter Mandelson is being investigated for potential “misconduct in public office” over emails he sent as a minister to Jeffrey Epstein.
Our explainer sets out what this means in UK law and why few politicians have been prosecuted over it.
Read more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mi...
Our explainer sets out what this means in UK law and why few politicians have been prosecuted over it.
Read more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mi...
Misconduct in public office | Institute for Government
What happens if someone holding public office is alleged to have abused their power?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 6, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Peter Mandelson is being investigated for potential “misconduct in public office” over emails he sent as a minister to Jeffrey Epstein.
Our explainer sets out what this means in UK law and why few politicians have been prosecuted over it.
Read more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mi...
Our explainer sets out what this means in UK law and why few politicians have been prosecuted over it.
Read more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mi...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
The Intelligence and Security Committee is a committee of parliament with statutory responsibility for oversight of the UK Intelligence Community.
But what remit does it have? Who sits on it? And what controversies has it been involved in? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/in...
But what remit does it have? Who sits on it? And what controversies has it been involved in? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/in...
The Intelligence and Security Committee | Institute for Government
The ISC oversees the UK Intelligence Community
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 6, 2026 at 4:01 PM
The Intelligence and Security Committee is a committee of parliament with statutory responsibility for oversight of the UK Intelligence Community.
But what remit does it have? Who sits on it? And what controversies has it been involved in? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/in...
But what remit does it have? Who sits on it? And what controversies has it been involved in? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/in...
Really enjoyed this week’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast with man-of-the-moment @pickardje.bsky.social and @drhannahwhite.bsky.social
Listen to hear Jim’s inside account of how he got such a series of mega-scoops
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
Listen to hear Jim’s inside account of how he got such a series of mega-scoops
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
Keir Starmer's Mandelson Scandal
Podcast Episode · Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government · 06/02/2026 · 33m
podcasts.apple.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Really enjoyed this week’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast with man-of-the-moment @pickardje.bsky.social and @drhannahwhite.bsky.social
Listen to hear Jim’s inside account of how he got such a series of mega-scoops
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
Listen to hear Jim’s inside account of how he got such a series of mega-scoops
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
Two Mandelsonian thoughts I have been cautious about sharing but I’m interested in what people think
February 5, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Two Mandelsonian thoughts I have been cautious about sharing but I’m interested in what people think
Reposted by Alex Thomas
The next set of mayoral elections will be more like a lottery as voters will have to guess who will make it into the Top Two and who they want/want to stop to be mayor. Lets have proper preferential voting now.
Labour should introduce the alternative vote system for mayoral elections
Multi-party politics makes the AV the best choice, say @akashpaun.bsky.social and @jillongovt.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mayo...
Multi-party politics makes the AV the best choice, say @akashpaun.bsky.social and @jillongovt.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mayo...
Labour should introduce the alternative vote system for mayoral elections | Institute for Government
The alternative vote would be fairer and more appropriate than the system the government favours.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 9:33 PM
The next set of mayoral elections will be more like a lottery as voters will have to guess who will make it into the Top Two and who they want/want to stop to be mayor. Lets have proper preferential voting now.
Reposted by Alex Thomas
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Lord Wallace. Jim was a lovely man who welcomed me to his home in Orkney, and with whom I drank too much whisky several times, while putting the world to rights.
Jim's wise reflections on being a minister: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...
Jim's wise reflections on being a minister: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...
Lord Wallace | Institute for Government
Lord Wallace reflects on his experience in the UK coalition government and how it compared to his time in the Scottish government.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 30, 2026 at 11:18 AM
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Lord Wallace. Jim was a lovely man who welcomed me to his home in Orkney, and with whom I drank too much whisky several times, while putting the world to rights.
Jim's wise reflections on being a minister: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...
Jim's wise reflections on being a minister: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...
This is terribly sad
Jim was an outstanding minister, a lovely fun man, & totally committed to public service
His calm wisdom was essential for ministers, civil servants (& civil servants turned think tankers). Just on Christmas Eve he shared a speech with wise reflections on his career
RIP Jim
Jim was an outstanding minister, a lovely fun man, & totally committed to public service
His calm wisdom was essential for ministers, civil servants (& civil servants turned think tankers). Just on Christmas Eve he shared a speech with wise reflections on his career
RIP Jim
January 29, 2026 at 8:12 PM
This is terribly sad
Jim was an outstanding minister, a lovely fun man, & totally committed to public service
His calm wisdom was essential for ministers, civil servants (& civil servants turned think tankers). Just on Christmas Eve he shared a speech with wise reflections on his career
RIP Jim
Jim was an outstanding minister, a lovely fun man, & totally committed to public service
His calm wisdom was essential for ministers, civil servants (& civil servants turned think tankers). Just on Christmas Eve he shared a speech with wise reflections on his career
RIP Jim
Reposted by Alex Thomas
Parliament Acts are rarely used but I’m not sure I’d call them archaic- anyway, here’s some more detail on what they are and how they work www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/pa...
January 28, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Parliament Acts are rarely used but I’m not sure I’d call them archaic- anyway, here’s some more detail on what they are and how they work www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/pa...
Whatever else there is to say about this - the Parliament Acts are *not* archaic
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Assisted dying backers could use archaic procedure to bypass ‘undemocratic’ block by peers
Exclusive: MPs backing bill to use ‘nuclear option’ of 1911 Parliament Act if it continues to be blocked by Lords
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:28 PM
Whatever else there is to say about this - the Parliament Acts are *not* archaic
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
The UK needs a robust growth strategy and stronger No.10 to kick-start the economy, says @gilesyb.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/grow...
The UK needs a robust growth strategy and stronger No.10 to kick-start the economy | Institute for Government
On growth policy rhetoric is not enough.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 12:36 PM
The UK needs a robust growth strategy and stronger No.10 to kick-start the economy, says @gilesyb.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/grow...
Lots of things are not great. Dolly Parton is truly, unashamedly great
Quality, openness, kindness and bringing people together, sometimes in difficult times and across divides
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Quality, openness, kindness and bringing people together, sometimes in difficult times and across divides
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Dolly Parton at the BBC
A look back at some of Dolly Parton's finest performances at the BBC, incorporating her greatest moments and hits such as Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream and Here You Come Again.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 24, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Lots of things are not great. Dolly Parton is truly, unashamedly great
Quality, openness, kindness and bringing people together, sometimes in difficult times and across divides
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Quality, openness, kindness and bringing people together, sometimes in difficult times and across divides
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
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
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
The government should be clear about the trade-offs involved in SEND reform | Institute for Government
Decisions about legal safeguards will shape the future SEND system.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 23, 2026 at 3:39 PM
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
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
Extraordinary descriptions of the dismantling of United States law enforcement
Unmoored from professionalism, accountability and the law
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Unmoored from professionalism, accountability and the law
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Kash Patel’s FBI Is Making America Less Safe, Current and Former Employees Say
Forty-five current and former employees on the changes they say are undermining the agency and making America less safe.
www.nytimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Extraordinary descriptions of the dismantling of United States law enforcement
Unmoored from professionalism, accountability and the law
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Unmoored from professionalism, accountability and the law
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
Starting now - Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister of Wales is talking at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. follow the link below to livestream.
January 22, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Starting now - Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister of Wales is talking at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. follow the link below to livestream.
Reposted by Alex Thomas
PODCAST 🎙️ Keir Starmer’s Trump diplomacy and Darren Jones’s fast fixes
Lord Maude joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @hannahkeenan.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social to discuss the latest government reform plans
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Lord Maude joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @hannahkeenan.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social to discuss the latest government reform plans
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
January 22, 2026 at 10:48 AM
PODCAST 🎙️ Keir Starmer’s Trump diplomacy and Darren Jones’s fast fixes
Lord Maude joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @hannahkeenan.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social to discuss the latest government reform plans
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Lord Maude joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @hannahkeenan.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social to discuss the latest government reform plans
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
“Greenland is to Trump as Ukraine is to Putin”
“The crisis is not impending, it is here”
Fiona Hill at our event this evening
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
“The crisis is not impending, it is here”
Fiona Hill at our event this evening
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
What does Trump mean for relations between the UK and Europe, and the rest of the world? | Institute for Government
Sir Simon Fraser, Fiona Hill and Anand Menon join us to discuss the impact of Trump's presidency on the UK and Europe
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 20, 2026 at 6:40 PM
“Greenland is to Trump as Ukraine is to Putin”
“The crisis is not impending, it is here”
Fiona Hill at our event this evening
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
“The crisis is not impending, it is here”
Fiona Hill at our event this evening
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
Quick reaction to Darren Jones’s speech
- good stuff - min leadership, risk appetite, reducing approvals, new models of doing things
- worried about - leaving fundamental reform for later. Structures in centre, depts and public services need addressing now. Danger this is all a bit sticking plaster
- good stuff - min leadership, risk appetite, reducing approvals, new models of doing things
- worried about - leaving fundamental reform for later. Structures in centre, depts and public services need addressing now. Danger this is all a bit sticking plaster
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
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
January 20, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Quick reaction to Darren Jones’s speech
- good stuff - min leadership, risk appetite, reducing approvals, new models of doing things
- worried about - leaving fundamental reform for later. Structures in centre, depts and public services need addressing now. Danger this is all a bit sticking plaster
- good stuff - min leadership, risk appetite, reducing approvals, new models of doing things
- worried about - leaving fundamental reform for later. Structures in centre, depts and public services need addressing now. Danger this is all a bit sticking plaster
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
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
January 20, 2026 at 11:45 AM
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
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
Reposted by Alex Thomas
We have an exceptional lineup for today's event on NHS structures. We are fully booked in-person, but you can watch the event online from 12.30. Link below
TOMORROW | How can changes to NHS structures help deliver the 10 Year Health Plan?
📅 Tuesday 20 Jan, 12:30
Join us online with Dr Penelope Dash, Dame Patricia Hewitt, Samantha Jones, Johan Kahlström @novartis.bsky.social,
@njdavies.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/nhs-st...
📅 Tuesday 20 Jan, 12:30
Join us online with Dr Penelope Dash, Dame Patricia Hewitt, Samantha Jones, Johan Kahlström @novartis.bsky.social,
@njdavies.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/nhs-st...
January 20, 2026 at 10:25 AM
We have an exceptional lineup for today's event on NHS structures. We are fully booked in-person, but you can watch the event online from 12.30. Link below
Reposted by Alex Thomas
Busy day ahead!
Also incudes @darrenpjones.bsky.social setting out his plans to shake up Whitehall and renew the state.
Watch on the link below at 11.30
Follow @alexgathomas.bsky.social and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social for some instant reaction.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/modern...
Also incudes @darrenpjones.bsky.social setting out his plans to shake up Whitehall and renew the state.
Watch on the link below at 11.30
Follow @alexgathomas.bsky.social and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social for some instant reaction.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/modern...
Move fast and fix things: Modernising Whitehall to deliver for Britain | Institute for Government
Keynote speech from Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Darren Jones MP.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 20, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Busy day ahead!
Also incudes @darrenpjones.bsky.social setting out his plans to shake up Whitehall and renew the state.
Watch on the link below at 11.30
Follow @alexgathomas.bsky.social and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social for some instant reaction.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/modern...
Also incudes @darrenpjones.bsky.social setting out his plans to shake up Whitehall and renew the state.
Watch on the link below at 11.30
Follow @alexgathomas.bsky.social and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social for some instant reaction.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/modern...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies.
If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.
Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. (1/2)
If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.
Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. (1/2)
January 17, 2026 at 9:11 PM
China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies.
If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.
Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. (1/2)
If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.
Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. (1/2)
Reposted by Alex Thomas
[1/6] A reminder: Europe has cards to use against the US. Lots of them.
To cite some examples:
- Tighten screws on US digital giants (taxes, fines, even bans)
- Export taxes disrupting US supply chains eg pharma
- Exclude US firms from European procurement, inc defence
ecfr.eu/publication/...
To cite some examples:
- Tighten screws on US digital giants (taxes, fines, even bans)
- Export taxes disrupting US supply chains eg pharma
- Exclude US firms from European procurement, inc defence
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Brussels hold’em: European cards against Trumpian coercion – European Council on Foreign Relations
Faced with an aggressive United States, Europe has more leverage than it realises. Across trade, technology, infrastructure, finance and people-to-people relati
ecfr.eu
January 17, 2026 at 8:10 PM
[1/6] A reminder: Europe has cards to use against the US. Lots of them.
To cite some examples:
- Tighten screws on US digital giants (taxes, fines, even bans)
- Export taxes disrupting US supply chains eg pharma
- Exclude US firms from European procurement, inc defence
ecfr.eu/publication/...
To cite some examples:
- Tighten screws on US digital giants (taxes, fines, even bans)
- Export taxes disrupting US supply chains eg pharma
- Exclude US firms from European procurement, inc defence
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Anyway. To Paddington the Musical!
January 17, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Anyway. To Paddington the Musical!