Alice Lilly
@aliceolilly.bsky.social
Learning and development manager at Institute for Government interested in all things parliament and government.
PhD in modern US/UK history.
Sport fan. Mum of one. Views my own.
PhD in modern US/UK history.
Sport fan. Mum of one. Views my own.
Reposted by Alice Lilly
This from The Times newsletter is also.. not right.
As Cabinet Manual sets out, PM appts on basis of advice from outgoing Cab Sec and 1st CS Commissioner.
PM is not at all dependent on those previously shortlisted. And can make a direct appt with minimal process (if that person is appropriate)
As Cabinet Manual sets out, PM appts on basis of advice from outgoing Cab Sec and 1st CS Commissioner.
PM is not at all dependent on those previously shortlisted. And can make a direct appt with minimal process (if that person is appropriate)
February 10, 2026 at 10:39 AM
This from The Times newsletter is also.. not right.
As Cabinet Manual sets out, PM appts on basis of advice from outgoing Cab Sec and 1st CS Commissioner.
PM is not at all dependent on those previously shortlisted. And can make a direct appt with minimal process (if that person is appropriate)
As Cabinet Manual sets out, PM appts on basis of advice from outgoing Cab Sec and 1st CS Commissioner.
PM is not at all dependent on those previously shortlisted. And can make a direct appt with minimal process (if that person is appropriate)
Reposted by Alice Lilly
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/
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/
February 10, 2026 at 6:33 AM
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/
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/
Was saying to somebody the other day that we seemed to have been on a reasonable run of the toddler not having bugs.
You won’t believe what happened next
You won’t believe what happened next
February 9, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Was saying to somebody the other day that we seemed to have been on a reasonable run of the toddler not having bugs.
You won’t believe what happened next
You won’t believe what happened next
Reposted by Alice Lilly
Cabinet secretaries
A 110 year old job. A lot of variation in how past holders have done the job.
A lot of debate about whether the job is even doable now.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ca...
A 110 year old job. A lot of variation in how past holders have done the job.
A lot of debate about whether the job is even doable now.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ca...
February 9, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Cabinet secretaries
A 110 year old job. A lot of variation in how past holders have done the job.
A lot of debate about whether the job is even doable now.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ca...
A 110 year old job. A lot of variation in how past holders have done the job.
A lot of debate about whether the job is even doable now.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ca...
Reposted by Alice Lilly
I see we are now at the ‘explaining constitutional principles and precedents of scenarios that really aren’t likely to happen’ stage of political crisis.
February 9, 2026 at 6:07 PM
I see we are now at the ‘explaining constitutional principles and precedents of scenarios that really aren’t likely to happen’ stage of political crisis.
Reposted by Alice Lilly
Darren Jones has set out various things that the government is "considering" to bolster how ethics are upheld, including:
- considering changing the process for declaration of financial interests
- looking closely at how lobbying is managed
- revisiting the guidance on the use of informal comms...
- considering changing the process for declaration of financial interests
- looking closely at how lobbying is managed
- revisiting the guidance on the use of informal comms...
February 9, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Darren Jones has set out various things that the government is "considering" to bolster how ethics are upheld, including:
- considering changing the process for declaration of financial interests
- looking closely at how lobbying is managed
- revisiting the guidance on the use of informal comms...
- considering changing the process for declaration of financial interests
- looking closely at how lobbying is managed
- revisiting the guidance on the use of informal comms...
Some really fascinating insights in here - can't wait to read the whole thing
Going to tweet about other things. How about a nice report about what people write to MPs about research.mysociety.org/html/wtt-ins...
WriteToThem Insights
Learning more about different kinds of constituent communication
research.mysociety.org
February 9, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Some really fascinating insights in here - can't wait to read the whole thing
Reposted by Alice Lilly
Tim Allan only joined No10 in September last year as part of the most recent (very turbulent) 'reset'...
February 9, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Tim Allan only joined No10 in September last year as part of the most recent (very turbulent) 'reset'...
There’s a trend among recent PMs of having a poor relationship with and/or not really understanding what their backbenchers’ expectations are and how they view their role (and how that seems to have shifted among backbenchers of all parties in recent years)
Since Labour has been in government the lack of preparation and depth of thinking has been apparent but I think one of the biggest mistakes was going to war with the PLP so early. It stunned a lot of MPs to be told they could not even table amendments. This resentment is a massive part of the story.
February 8, 2026 at 8:49 PM
There’s a trend among recent PMs of having a poor relationship with and/or not really understanding what their backbenchers’ expectations are and how they view their role (and how that seems to have shifted among backbenchers of all parties in recent years)
Reposted by Alice Lilly
Keir Starmer will be looking for his third Chief of Staff since becoming PM, after the departure of Morgan McSweeney.
What is the role of Chief of Staff to the PM, how did it arise and what is the difference with other key roles in No10?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/do...
What is the role of Chief of Staff to the PM, how did it arise and what is the difference with other key roles in No10?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/do...
Downing Street chief of staff | Institute for Government
The Downing Street chief of staff is the UK prime minister’s most senior political adviser.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 8, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Keir Starmer will be looking for his third Chief of Staff since becoming PM, after the departure of Morgan McSweeney.
What is the role of Chief of Staff to the PM, how did it arise and what is the difference with other key roles in No10?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/do...
What is the role of Chief of Staff to the PM, how did it arise and what is the difference with other key roles in No10?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/do...
Sign me up to the Northern Olympics, not least because the opening ceremony would be SO good
Swimming in Windermere, sailors on the Mersey? Mayors want Britain to bid for the 2036 Games and host them in Manchester, Liverpool and other northern cities
Move over, London, the north is coming for UK’s Olympic bid
www.thetimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Sign me up to the Northern Olympics, not least because the opening ceremony would be SO good
“He’ll be tired at the age of 36,” says a skiing commentator.
Torn between being insulted and agreeing that yeah, he probably is tired
Torn between being insulted and agreeing that yeah, he probably is tired
February 7, 2026 at 8:42 PM
“He’ll be tired at the age of 36,” says a skiing commentator.
Torn between being insulted and agreeing that yeah, he probably is tired
Torn between being insulted and agreeing that yeah, he probably is tired
Not to be mean nor to take anything at all away from Italy- AND the conditions were awful- but that was one of the worst rugby performances I’ve seen in a looooong time
February 7, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Not to be mean nor to take anything at all away from Italy- AND the conditions were awful- but that was one of the worst rugby performances I’ve seen in a looooong time
I mean the Italian national anthem is just 10/10, truly excellent
February 6, 2026 at 7:27 PM
I mean the Italian national anthem is just 10/10, truly excellent
Reposted by Alice Lilly
“I’ve been cast at the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony”
“What are you?”
“A stovetop espresso maker.”
“What are you?”
“A stovetop espresso maker.”
February 6, 2026 at 7:13 PM
“I’ve been cast at the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony”
“What are you?”
“A stovetop espresso maker.”
“What are you?”
“A stovetop espresso maker.”
Yess time to pretend I know something about *checks notes* winter sports
February 6, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Yess time to pretend I know something about *checks notes* winter sports
Reposted by Alice Lilly
Fascinating and appalling stuff on the Mandelson scandal, how it came out, why it didn't come out sooner and what it might now mean. Great to have @pickardje.bsky.social joining @drhannahwhite.bsky.social and @alexgathomas.bsky.social to explore it all.
bsky.app/profile/inst...
bsky.app/profile/inst...
PODCAST 🎙️ Keir Starmer's Mandelson scandal
@pickardje.bsky.social joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social to look back at an explosive week – and discuss the vetting process and the ability to eject unfit members from the Lords
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
@pickardje.bsky.social joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social to look back at an explosive week – and discuss the vetting process and the ability to eject unfit members from the Lords
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Keir Starmer's Mandelson scandal | Institute for Government
The FT’s Jim Pickard joins the podcast team to look back at an explosive week in UK politics.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 6, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Fascinating and appalling stuff on the Mandelson scandal, how it came out, why it didn't come out sooner and what it might now mean. Great to have @pickardje.bsky.social joining @drhannahwhite.bsky.social and @alexgathomas.bsky.social to explore it all.
bsky.app/profile/inst...
bsky.app/profile/inst...
Reposted by Alice Lilly
This comes up a lot so I do want to let you all know that the option of turning the existing building into a heritage/museum site has been costed out and it is substantially more expensive
How about this - new parliament building and government center in Slough, including Pm residence. Change parliament into a tourist and museum center.
February 6, 2026 at 10:36 AM
This comes up a lot so I do want to let you all know that the option of turning the existing building into a heritage/museum site has been costed out and it is substantially more expensive
please, my coin, it’s in bits
(sorry)
(sorry)
February 5, 2026 at 8:43 PM
please, my coin, it’s in bits
(sorry)
(sorry)
Oof that was an absolute banger of an anthem mes amis
February 5, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Oof that was an absolute banger of an anthem mes amis
Reposted by Alice Lilly
In amongst all the drama, the day-to-day work of gov & public services can get a little lost. But yday's bleak report from the Public Accounts Committee on the dire state of probation is yet another example of just how high the stakes are. Massive work is needed to get services back on their feet.
Probation services pushed to the brink of collapse in England and Wales risk endangering public - Committees - UK Parliament
A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warns that the Probation Service in England and Wales is being placed under significant strain, seriously impeding its ability to protect the publ...
committees.parliament.uk
February 5, 2026 at 3:30 PM
In amongst all the drama, the day-to-day work of gov & public services can get a little lost. But yday's bleak report from the Public Accounts Committee on the dire state of probation is yet another example of just how high the stakes are. Massive work is needed to get services back on their feet.
Reposted by Alice Lilly
This is bleakly comic: six times when Parliament has agreed the need for a major programme of works to the Palace of Westminster, and yet we'll need another vote in 2026 and then a further vote in mid 2030.
February 5, 2026 at 2:53 PM
This is bleakly comic: six times when Parliament has agreed the need for a major programme of works to the Palace of Westminster, and yet we'll need another vote in 2026 and then a further vote in mid 2030.
Remarkable stat from the latest report on R&R: "Between 2021/22 and 2023/24 reactive maintenance tasks increased by 70%"
(Report here committees.parliament.uk/publications...)
(Report here committees.parliament.uk/publications...)
February 5, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Remarkable stat from the latest report on R&R: "Between 2021/22 and 2023/24 reactive maintenance tasks increased by 70%"
(Report here committees.parliament.uk/publications...)
(Report here committees.parliament.uk/publications...)
Reposted by Alice Lilly
And here's the costed proposals for Restoration and Renewal. Two options recommended: full decant and EMI+. Full decant will be cheaper and quicker - staying in the Palace during the works will means it takes up to 61 years and costs up to £18.7bn. Full link committees.parliament.uk/publications...
February 5, 2026 at 2:08 PM
And here's the costed proposals for Restoration and Renewal. Two options recommended: full decant and EMI+. Full decant will be cheaper and quicker - staying in the Palace during the works will means it takes up to 61 years and costs up to £18.7bn. Full link committees.parliament.uk/publications...
Reposted by Alice Lilly
Happy Restoration & Renewal day! The (very) long-awaited costed proposals report to be published at 2pm, according to Playbook. Will the Programme Board recommend a single way forward, as originally expected? Or will it keep the options open, as reported by @estwebber.bsky.social late last year?
February 5, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Happy Restoration & Renewal day! The (very) long-awaited costed proposals report to be published at 2pm, according to Playbook. Will the Programme Board recommend a single way forward, as originally expected? Or will it keep the options open, as reported by @estwebber.bsky.social late last year?