Colin Perry
@colincperry.bsky.social
Former Senior Civil servant. Focus on business, and trade. And Lego. Trustee for Take A Moment
Pinned
Colin Perry
@colincperry.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Yes, another starter pack. Not sure I’ve seen one for island of Ireland politics, media, business and academia. It’s a bit thin currently so please suggest additional names go.bsky.app/7SX66DK
None of the Answers would by my suggestion
February 10, 2026 at 5:08 PM
None of the Answers would by my suggestion
For civil servants and policy wonks. 40% reduction to be welcomed
The government have just published the new 'Green Book' - the guidance by which civil servants assess different projects.
HMT have done a great job to not just build in the recommendations on regional appraisal from the recent review, but also cut the length by 40%!
www.gov.uk/government/n...
HMT have done a great job to not just build in the recommendations on regional appraisal from the recent review, but also cut the length by 40%!
www.gov.uk/government/n...
New Green Book to ensure that investment in all parts of the UK given a "fair hearing"
New guidance will support fairer and more balanced decisions on investment in every part of the country.
www.gov.uk
February 6, 2026 at 9:55 AM
For civil servants and policy wonks. 40% reduction to be welcomed
Perhaps in the old days, not now. I recall senior civil servants dictating emails to their secretaries in the 90s.
February 1, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Perhaps in the old days, not now. I recall senior civil servants dictating emails to their secretaries in the 90s.
open.substack.com/pub/samuelsh... this is a really interesting piece, which anyone working in a regulator ought to think about. I don’t agree with all of it but the basic proposition of how you balance safety and growth and what level of risk you’re prepared to tolerate are important.
The radical idea of the government governing the UK (IOJGH7)
What the nation's regulators tell us about how power works here today
open.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 1:40 PM
open.substack.com/pub/samuelsh... this is a really interesting piece, which anyone working in a regulator ought to think about. I don’t agree with all of it but the basic proposition of how you balance safety and growth and what level of risk you’re prepared to tolerate are important.
How did that happen?
January 31, 2026 at 8:38 PM
How did that happen?
Sad to hear. Second your comments on him as minister
January 29, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Sad to hear. Second your comments on him as minister
Think your link is broken. Think you meant this unherd.com/2026/01/neom...
Neom’s fate awaits us all
unherd.com
January 28, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Think your link is broken. Think you meant this unherd.com/2026/01/neom...
Oh no. So sorry to hear that.
January 26, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Oh no. So sorry to hear that.
On SCS, I’d say leadership rather than management. But they need some political understanding as well. Civil Servants do work for politicians after all.
January 26, 2026 at 6:08 PM
On SCS, I’d say leadership rather than management. But they need some political understanding as well. Civil Servants do work for politicians after all.
A fascinating piece for all civil servants. On regulation for me it’s about risk appetite and whether civil servants can spell out costs and consequences and whether politicians really have an appetite for risk. And ultimately prioritising is key. Focus on fewer things to get done than announcements
New post out:
"Who runs Britain?"
Politicians complain they are unable to do anything because of the machinery of state. Yet they have more power than ever.
What explains this "paradox of executive power" and how can it be fixed?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
"Who runs Britain?"
Politicians complain they are unable to do anything because of the machinery of state. Yet they have more power than ever.
What explains this "paradox of executive power" and how can it be fixed?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
Who runs Britain?
The paradox of executive power
open.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:21 PM
A fascinating piece for all civil servants. On regulation for me it’s about risk appetite and whether civil servants can spell out costs and consequences and whether politicians really have an appetite for risk. And ultimately prioritising is key. Focus on fewer things to get done than announcements
I remember joining HM Treasury in 1992 when there was still quite a prickliness amongst Customs folk about this case.
January 24, 2026 at 2:18 PM
I remember joining HM Treasury in 1992 when there was still quite a prickliness amongst Customs folk about this case.
And back to where I started. Superloop completed. 11 buses, 10 hours, 1 ferry. End.
January 23, 2026 at 7:11 PM
And back to where I started. Superloop completed. 11 buses, 10 hours, 1 ferry. End.
Something dark urban and soothing for the final soundtrack. Burial - Nightbus open.spotify.com/track/2OvoDj...
Night Bus
open.spotify.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Something dark urban and soothing for the final soundtrack. Burial - Nightbus open.spotify.com/track/2OvoDj...
January 23, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Back across the river Thames. #Teddington #Superloop
January 23, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Back across the river Thames. #Teddington #Superloop
Soundtrack for this leg is a bit of Croydon dubstep from Skream - Midnight Request Line
15/n
open.spotify.com/track/75zs01...
15/n
open.spotify.com/track/75zs01...
Midnight Request Line
open.spotify.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:22 PM
Soundtrack for this leg is a bit of Croydon dubstep from Skream - Midnight Request Line
15/n
open.spotify.com/track/75zs01...
15/n
open.spotify.com/track/75zs01...
Leaving the bright skies of Croydon on the SL7 to Heathrow. #Superloop
14/n
14/n
January 23, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Leaving the bright skies of Croydon on the SL7 to Heathrow. #Superloop
14/n
14/n
Soundtrack for this leg is Carter USM - Midnight on the Murder Mile
13/n
open.spotify.com/track/0fhMai...
13/n
open.spotify.com/track/0fhMai...
Midnight on the Murder Mile
open.spotify.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Soundtrack for this leg is Carter USM - Midnight on the Murder Mile
13/n
open.spotify.com/track/0fhMai...
13/n
open.spotify.com/track/0fhMai...
Not such an emblematic moquette as earlier on the SL5 to Croydon
12/n
12/n
January 23, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Not such an emblematic moquette as earlier on the SL5 to Croydon
12/n
12/n
January 23, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Wasn’t that his resting face?
January 23, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Wasn’t that his resting face?
Waltham Forest town hall
8/n
8/n
January 23, 2026 at 11:27 AM
Waltham Forest town hall
8/n
8/n