Alex Thomas
@alexgathomas.bsky.social
Institute for Government: civil service and all things effective government. Ex-Cabinet Office, Defra, Dept of Health
Reposted by Alex Thomas
The BBC is surely big enough, strong enough, credible enough, respected enough, reflective enough, has wide enough reach and a strong enough history to stand up for itself, while acknowledging room to improve. And never kowtowing or denying facts
November 10, 2025 at 10:43 PM
The BBC is surely big enough, strong enough, credible enough, respected enough, reflective enough, has wide enough reach and a strong enough history to stand up for itself, while acknowledging room to improve. And never kowtowing or denying facts
I know BBC coverage of the BBC is always ‘Jacobs by Marc Jacobs by Jacobs’… but on days like today I think the news / management separation is clear, admirable, important and unusual
November 10, 2025 at 10:27 PM
I know BBC coverage of the BBC is always ‘Jacobs by Marc Jacobs by Jacobs’… but on days like today I think the news / management separation is clear, admirable, important and unusual
Goodness me this is wonderful. Think I’ll have to read at least twice more
on.ft.com/47M4tyi Bridget Riley: ‘I want my paintings to make people feel alive’
on.ft.com/47M4tyi Bridget Riley: ‘I want my paintings to make people feel alive’
Bridget Riley: ‘I want my paintings to make people feel alive’
The 94-year-old doyenne of British abstract art on influences from Seurat to Mondrian, her wartime childhood in Cornwall — and ‘the healing power of looking’
on.ft.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Goodness me this is wonderful. Think I’ll have to read at least twice more
on.ft.com/47M4tyi Bridget Riley: ‘I want my paintings to make people feel alive’
on.ft.com/47M4tyi Bridget Riley: ‘I want my paintings to make people feel alive’
Reposted by Alex Thomas
📸Snapshots | Leadership change in the civil service: How can new permanent secretaries deliver for government?
A big thank you to our panel:
Atul Devani, John-Paul Marks CB, Baroness Gisela Stuart and
@alexgathomas.bsky.social
Watch back the event
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...
A big thank you to our panel:
Atul Devani, John-Paul Marks CB, Baroness Gisela Stuart and
@alexgathomas.bsky.social
Watch back the event
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...
November 7, 2025 at 10:19 AM
📸Snapshots | Leadership change in the civil service: How can new permanent secretaries deliver for government?
A big thank you to our panel:
Atul Devani, John-Paul Marks CB, Baroness Gisela Stuart and
@alexgathomas.bsky.social
Watch back the event
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...
A big thank you to our panel:
Atul Devani, John-Paul Marks CB, Baroness Gisela Stuart and
@alexgathomas.bsky.social
Watch back the event
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
WEBINAR | The Covid Inquiry: What does Module II say about government decision making and political governance?
Join our IfG experts webinar to unpack the Covid Inquiry's findings and explore their implications for future governance.
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/covid-...
Join our IfG experts webinar to unpack the Covid Inquiry's findings and explore their implications for future governance.
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/covid-...
November 7, 2025 at 3:04 PM
WEBINAR | The Covid Inquiry: What does Module II say about government decision making and political governance?
Join our IfG experts webinar to unpack the Covid Inquiry's findings and explore their implications for future governance.
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/covid-...
Join our IfG experts webinar to unpack the Covid Inquiry's findings and explore their implications for future governance.
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/covid-...
“These are not the actions of mature adults. They are examples of crude people displaying their incompetence as they flail about in jobs—including the presidency—for which they are not qualified.”
Trump’s voters have become like the members of the administration, delighting in the crassness and obscenity that pours out of the president and his circle whenever they are challenged. But policies suffer and the public is poorly served.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
A Confederacy of Toddlers
The Trump administration is a regime of troubled children.
www.theatlantic.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:33 PM
“These are not the actions of mature adults. They are examples of crude people displaying their incompetence as they flail about in jobs—including the presidency—for which they are not qualified.”
Reposted by Alex Thomas
Our event Leadership change in the civil service: How can new permanent secretaries deliver for government?
is happening today!
Join us in person or online:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...
is happening today!
Join us in person or online:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...
November 3, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Our event Leadership change in the civil service: How can new permanent secretaries deliver for government?
is happening today!
Join us in person or online:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...
is happening today!
Join us in person or online:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
The Cabinet Office has relaxed the rules on civil servants speaking in public. The government is still too defensive about who can speak, but this is a positive step, say @alexgathomas.bsky.social and @drhannahwhite.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
A welcome clarification on the rules ‘gagging’ civil servants | Institute for Government
New guidance on civil servants speaking in public is a welcome return to common sense.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 10:58 AM
The Cabinet Office has relaxed the rules on civil servants speaking in public. The government is still too defensive about who can speak, but this is a positive step, say @alexgathomas.bsky.social and @drhannahwhite.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
Inexplicable why the UK govt and associated accounts are still Twittering. On our podcast I mentioned Musk as a wannabe enemy of the state here
bsky.app/profile/inst...
bsky.app/profile/inst...
I've written a couple of things over the last days about how the government and much of Westminster remaining on X as the platform becomes increasingly toxic is having consequences for our politics...
Our politics is increasingly normalised to racism – because politicians are addicted to X
The platform has quietly dragged British politics into a dark place
inews.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Inexplicable why the UK govt and associated accounts are still Twittering. On our podcast I mentioned Musk as a wannabe enemy of the state here
bsky.app/profile/inst...
bsky.app/profile/inst...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
NEW: Home Office truths
The Home Secretary says Home Office is not fit for purpose
So what’s the problem/solution?
🎧Today’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
podcast with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social
@alexgathomas.bsky.social & ex spad Hannah Guerin
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
The Home Secretary says Home Office is not fit for purpose
So what’s the problem/solution?
🎧Today’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
podcast with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social
@alexgathomas.bsky.social & ex spad Hannah Guerin
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Home Office truths with Shabana Mahmood | Institute for Government
Former Home Office special adviser Hannah Guerin joins the podcast for a deep dive into the woes of one of Whitehall’s most challenging departments.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 30, 2025 at 6:11 PM
NEW: Home Office truths
The Home Secretary says Home Office is not fit for purpose
So what’s the problem/solution?
🎧Today’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
podcast with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social
@alexgathomas.bsky.social & ex spad Hannah Guerin
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
The Home Secretary says Home Office is not fit for purpose
So what’s the problem/solution?
🎧Today’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
podcast with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social
@alexgathomas.bsky.social & ex spad Hannah Guerin
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
PODCAST 🎙️ Home Office truths with Shabana Mahmood
Hannah Guerin joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social to explore one of Whitehall’s most challenging departments.
Plus: Kruger's govt reform plans, and Labour’s historic poll low
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Hannah Guerin joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social to explore one of Whitehall’s most challenging departments.
Plus: Kruger's govt reform plans, and Labour’s historic poll low
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Home Office truths with Shabana Mahmood | Institute for Government
Former Home Office special adviser Hannah Guerin joins the podcast for a deep dive into the woes of one of Whitehall’s most challenging departments.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 30, 2025 at 4:55 PM
PODCAST 🎙️ Home Office truths with Shabana Mahmood
Hannah Guerin joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social to explore one of Whitehall’s most challenging departments.
Plus: Kruger's govt reform plans, and Labour’s historic poll low
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Hannah Guerin joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social to explore one of Whitehall’s most challenging departments.
Plus: Kruger's govt reform plans, and Labour’s historic poll low
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Great to team up with @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social to find out what the public think about the civil service
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Public 'doubt' civil service can solve Britain’s biggest problems
Civil servants are ‘bureaucratic, political, stuck in their ways – and professional’, public tells poll
www.civilserviceworld.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Great to team up with @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social to find out what the public think about the civil service
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Some thoughts on the Kruger press conference on reforming government, and Reform in government
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/dann...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/dann...
October 30, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Some thoughts on the Kruger press conference on reforming government, and Reform in government
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/dann...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/dann...
Nothing worrying about it - am fully embracing middle age
October 26, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Nothing worrying about it - am fully embracing middle age
Fallen so far
"We lead the world because, unique among nations, we draw our people -- our strength -- from every country and every corner of the world."
youtu.be/2R8QxCD6ir8?...
youtu.be/2R8QxCD6ir8?...
The last speech of Ronald Reagan as president was on immigration
YouTube video by Montclair Immigration Network
youtu.be
October 25, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Fallen so far
Reposted by Alex Thomas
Well this is a particularly depressing illustration of what a collapsing justice system looks like. 262 people were released from prison by mistake in 2024/25 — more than twice the previous year and almost 4.5x 2014/15
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
October 25, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Well this is a particularly depressing illustration of what a collapsing justice system looks like. 262 people were released from prison by mistake in 2024/25 — more than twice the previous year and almost 4.5x 2014/15
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Excellent new comment piece from Heloise on Nick Timothy’s review of the Home Office
Not fit for purpose all over again…
Not fit for purpose all over again…
My thoughts on the recently shared Nick Timothy review for the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/shab...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/shab...
Shabana Mahmood must make the Home Office “fit for purpose” | Institute for Government
The Nick Timothy review reveals some familiar and worrying failings about the Home Office.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Excellent new comment piece from Heloise on Nick Timothy’s review of the Home Office
Not fit for purpose all over again…
Not fit for purpose all over again…
Reposted by Alex Thomas
Glad to see a bit of rowing back by Government on the 'gagging' civil servants issue. Thanks to @instituteforgovernment.org.uk @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social for leading the charge on this
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
A welcome clarification on the rules ‘gagging’ civil servants | Institute for Government
New guidance on civil servants speaking in public is a welcome return to common sense.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Glad to see a bit of rowing back by Government on the 'gagging' civil servants issue. Thanks to @instituteforgovernment.org.uk @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social for leading the charge on this
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
🎧NEW @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast
- Royal trouble
- Inquiry woe
- Prisons crisis
@dannyshaw.bsky.social joins @cathhaddon.bsky.social @cassiarowland.bsky.social & @alexgathomas.bsky.social to make sense of it all
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/pris...
- Royal trouble
- Inquiry woe
- Prisons crisis
@dannyshaw.bsky.social joins @cathhaddon.bsky.social @cassiarowland.bsky.social & @alexgathomas.bsky.social to make sense of it all
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/pris...
The Prisons Crisis Strikes Back | Institute for Government
Former BBC journalist and Labour adviser Danny Shaw joins the podcast team to discuss the state of the criminal justice system.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 8:54 AM
🎧NEW @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast
- Royal trouble
- Inquiry woe
- Prisons crisis
@dannyshaw.bsky.social joins @cathhaddon.bsky.social @cassiarowland.bsky.social & @alexgathomas.bsky.social to make sense of it all
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/pris...
- Royal trouble
- Inquiry woe
- Prisons crisis
@dannyshaw.bsky.social joins @cathhaddon.bsky.social @cassiarowland.bsky.social & @alexgathomas.bsky.social to make sense of it all
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/pris...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
As Alex says, this is a step in the right direction
But one letter is not a strong enough signal to civil servants that they can speak & engage, or to those departments who've used this guidance to clamp down on openness
Make things open: it makes things better, as govt's own design principles say
But one letter is not a strong enough signal to civil servants that they can speak & engage, or to those departments who've used this guidance to clamp down on openness
Make things open: it makes things better, as govt's own design principles say
Some - cautious - good news on the govt’s civil service gagging rules
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
A welcome clarification on the rules ‘gagging’ civil servants | Institute for Government
New guidance on civil servants speaking in public is a welcome return to common sense.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 7:09 AM
As Alex says, this is a step in the right direction
But one letter is not a strong enough signal to civil servants that they can speak & engage, or to those departments who've used this guidance to clamp down on openness
Make things open: it makes things better, as govt's own design principles say
But one letter is not a strong enough signal to civil servants that they can speak & engage, or to those departments who've used this guidance to clamp down on openness
Make things open: it makes things better, as govt's own design principles say
Some - cautious - good news on the govt’s civil service gagging rules
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
A welcome clarification on the rules ‘gagging’ civil servants | Institute for Government
New guidance on civil servants speaking in public is a welcome return to common sense.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Some - cautious - good news on the govt’s civil service gagging rules
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
EVENT | Leadership change in the civil service: How can new permanent secretaries deliver for government?
📅 Monday 3 November, 12:30-13:30
With Atul Devani, John-Paul Marks CB, Baroness Gisela Stuart and @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...
📅 Monday 3 November, 12:30-13:30
With Atul Devani, John-Paul Marks CB, Baroness Gisela Stuart and @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...
October 17, 2025 at 12:12 PM
EVENT | Leadership change in the civil service: How can new permanent secretaries deliver for government?
📅 Monday 3 November, 12:30-13:30
With Atul Devani, John-Paul Marks CB, Baroness Gisela Stuart and @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...
📅 Monday 3 November, 12:30-13:30
With Atul Devani, John-Paul Marks CB, Baroness Gisela Stuart and @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...
Reposted by Alex Thomas
We have an updated ministerial code! The new code makes clear that ministers "are expected" to pay back any severance payment if they quickly get a new ministerial job or are found to have broken the rules on post-government jobs
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Ministerial Code
Ministerial Code setting out the standards of conduct expected of ministers and how they discharge their duties.
www.gov.uk
October 13, 2025 at 10:45 AM
We have an updated ministerial code! The new code makes clear that ministers "are expected" to pay back any severance payment if they quickly get a new ministerial job or are found to have broken the rules on post-government jobs
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
V interesting piece from @geoffmulgan.bsky.social
Yes, there should be more thought about ministers (and civil servants) being put in the right roles and supporting them to do well!
Yes, there should be more thought about ministers (and civil servants) being put in the right roles and supporting them to do well!
This is pretty damning. Is there anything that Starmer is actually good at on the domestic stage? substack.com/@geoffmulgan...
Eric Morecambe and the challenge of good government
Some of the right people, not necessarily in the right roles
substack.com
October 9, 2025 at 7:30 PM
V interesting piece from @geoffmulgan.bsky.social
Yes, there should be more thought about ministers (and civil servants) being put in the right roles and supporting them to do well!
Yes, there should be more thought about ministers (and civil servants) being put in the right roles and supporting them to do well!
Enjoy recording these podcasts on the road. My Tory highlights
- ‘hold your nerve’ Team Badenoch vs ‘hold fire’ Team Jenrick
- stamp duty announcement might set some terms of debate for the coming months
- a fascinating speech - and an ECHR warning - from the Irish Ambassador
- ‘hold your nerve’ Team Badenoch vs ‘hold fire’ Team Jenrick
- stamp duty announcement might set some terms of debate for the coming months
- a fascinating speech - and an ECHR warning - from the Irish Ambassador
🎧NEW: Lessons in Kemistry..
Brilliant Conservative Party conference (& stamp duty) analysis on @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social
and Patrick English of @yougov.co.uk
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Brilliant Conservative Party conference (& stamp duty) analysis on @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social
and Patrick English of @yougov.co.uk
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Lessons in Kemistry | Institute for Government
YouGov's Patrick English joined the Inside Briefing team in Manchester to assess the state of the official opposition.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 8, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Enjoy recording these podcasts on the road. My Tory highlights
- ‘hold your nerve’ Team Badenoch vs ‘hold fire’ Team Jenrick
- stamp duty announcement might set some terms of debate for the coming months
- a fascinating speech - and an ECHR warning - from the Irish Ambassador
- ‘hold your nerve’ Team Badenoch vs ‘hold fire’ Team Jenrick
- stamp duty announcement might set some terms of debate for the coming months
- a fascinating speech - and an ECHR warning - from the Irish Ambassador