Iain Mansfield
@igmansfield.bsky.social
Current affairs, politics, education and miscellany. All views my own.
Substack at edrith.co.uk
Substack at edrith.co.uk
Cummings would approve!
I remember his blog back from pre-2019 days where he called it a Potemkin process.
I remember his blog back from pre-2019 days where he called it a Potemkin process.
Exclusive:
As part of the Whitehall delivery drive, the Labour government is looking at overhauling the 'write-round' process that has been used by Cabinet for years
Frustrated insiders say it creates needless delays and are pushing for a shake-up
It'll be major reform if they go for it
As part of the Whitehall delivery drive, the Labour government is looking at overhauling the 'write-round' process that has been used by Cabinet for years
Frustrated insiders say it creates needless delays and are pushing for a shake-up
It'll be major reform if they go for it
Whitehall Decision Making Procedure Could Be Overhauled To Stop Delays
The government is considering scrapping Whitehall's 'write-round' process as part of its bid to speed up decision making, PoliticsHome understands
www.politicshome.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Cummings would approve!
I remember his blog back from pre-2019 days where he called it a Potemkin process.
I remember his blog back from pre-2019 days where he called it a Potemkin process.
Reposted by Iain Mansfield
100% this. FWIW I think a single earner on minimum wage should be able to buy a cheap terraced house in Chatham, as was the case when I was a kid, growing up there, in that sort of family. Build more f***ing houses! More power to @stephenkb.bsky.social
Anyway: both the state and private developers need to build at far greater rates, the default aim should be 'a dual earner couple on average incomes can live in non-crowded conditions and raise a family', and the model family *for policymakers* should be three for obvious reasons.
November 13, 2025 at 8:03 PM
100% this. FWIW I think a single earner on minimum wage should be able to buy a cheap terraced house in Chatham, as was the case when I was a kid, growing up there, in that sort of family. Build more f***ing houses! More power to @stephenkb.bsky.social
Reposted by Iain Mansfield
If he does run I really hope his campaign slogan is "Chaos with Ed Miliband".
Verdict of one Labour grandee I just bumped into: “Ed Miliband is the person most likely to be the most next Prime Minister”.
November 13, 2025 at 1:14 PM
If he does run I really hope his campaign slogan is "Chaos with Ed Miliband".
The decline of the Office of National Statistics is a tragedy.
We spend £8 billion annually on academic research through UKRI - much of it highly politicised. Much better to take half the £122m we spend via the ESRC and give it to the ONS.
Reliable official statistics are vital.
We spend £8 billion annually on academic research through UKRI - much of it highly politicised. Much better to take half the £122m we spend via the ESRC and give it to the ONS.
Reliable official statistics are vital.
November 12, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The decline of the Office of National Statistics is a tragedy.
We spend £8 billion annually on academic research through UKRI - much of it highly politicised. Much better to take half the £122m we spend via the ESRC and give it to the ONS.
Reliable official statistics are vital.
We spend £8 billion annually on academic research through UKRI - much of it highly politicised. Much better to take half the £122m we spend via the ESRC and give it to the ONS.
Reliable official statistics are vital.
Reposted by Iain Mansfield
How to address the mental health crisis amongst young people - and the implications for our SEND and welfare budgets?
We bring together voices from Labour, the Conservatives and Reform to discuss policy solutions..
Registration in link:
policyexchange.org.uk/events/build...
We bring together voices from Labour, the Conservatives and Reform to discuss policy solutions..
Registration in link:
policyexchange.org.uk/events/build...
Building Resilient Generations: Unlocking Opportunity in Welfare, SEND & Mental Health - Policy Exchange
Event Details: Date: Monday 17th November 2025Time: 13:00-14:00 Venue: In Person and Online In Person Registration Webinar Registration About this Event Building Resilient Generations: Unlocking Oppor...
policyexchange.org.uk
November 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
How to address the mental health crisis amongst young people - and the implications for our SEND and welfare budgets?
We bring together voices from Labour, the Conservatives and Reform to discuss policy solutions..
Registration in link:
policyexchange.org.uk/events/build...
We bring together voices from Labour, the Conservatives and Reform to discuss policy solutions..
Registration in link:
policyexchange.org.uk/events/build...
Reposted by Iain Mansfield
If you haven't read @markurban.bsky.social's insider takes on the BBC 'crisis' (scare quotes since there is one every five years or so- see the experience of almost every previous DG), they are very worth it and an interesting contrast with @lewisgoodall.com
markurban.substack.com/p/the-bbc-is...
markurban.substack.com/p/the-bbc-is...
The BBC is Deep in Crisis
Some inside scoop on what's happened and why
markurban.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:02 PM
If you haven't read @markurban.bsky.social's insider takes on the BBC 'crisis' (scare quotes since there is one every five years or so- see the experience of almost every previous DG), they are very worth it and an interesting contrast with @lewisgoodall.com
markurban.substack.com/p/the-bbc-is...
markurban.substack.com/p/the-bbc-is...
How to address the mental health crisis amongst young people - and the implications for our SEND and welfare budgets?
We bring together voices from Labour, the Conservatives and Reform to discuss policy solutions..
Registration in link:
policyexchange.org.uk/events/build...
We bring together voices from Labour, the Conservatives and Reform to discuss policy solutions..
Registration in link:
policyexchange.org.uk/events/build...
Building Resilient Generations: Unlocking Opportunity in Welfare, SEND & Mental Health - Policy Exchange
Event Details: Date: Monday 17th November 2025Time: 13:00-14:00 Venue: In Person and Online In Person Registration Webinar Registration About this Event Building Resilient Generations: Unlocking Oppor...
policyexchange.org.uk
November 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
How to address the mental health crisis amongst young people - and the implications for our SEND and welfare budgets?
We bring together voices from Labour, the Conservatives and Reform to discuss policy solutions..
Registration in link:
policyexchange.org.uk/events/build...
We bring together voices from Labour, the Conservatives and Reform to discuss policy solutions..
Registration in link:
policyexchange.org.uk/events/build...
The BBC is usually very good at balance on party political matters.
Its general election coverage and its broader political reporting is excellent.
But it's on social issues - identity issues, foreign aid, immigration and particularly trans - that it has been wildly unbalanced and out of step.
Its general election coverage and its broader political reporting is excellent.
But it's on social issues - identity issues, foreign aid, immigration and particularly trans - that it has been wildly unbalanced and out of step.
November 10, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The BBC is usually very good at balance on party political matters.
Its general election coverage and its broader political reporting is excellent.
But it's on social issues - identity issues, foreign aid, immigration and particularly trans - that it has been wildly unbalanced and out of step.
Its general election coverage and its broader political reporting is excellent.
But it's on social issues - identity issues, foreign aid, immigration and particularly trans - that it has been wildly unbalanced and out of step.
Reposted by Iain Mansfield
I have to say, I find this letter completely baffling for a number of reasons:
Britain’s top scientists have written to the PM warning that the education system is holding back children and the country and expressing concern about the timidity of the government’s curriculum and assessment review @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Broken education system is holding back the young, top scientists warn PM | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM
I have to say, I find this letter completely baffling for a number of reasons:
This week thr Bank of England voted 5:4 to keep interest rates the same.
A good piece Ben Ramanauskas setting out the case for why the four who instead voted to cut rates by 0.25% were in the right.
open.substack.com/pub/opportun...
A good piece Ben Ramanauskas setting out the case for why the four who instead voted to cut rates by 0.25% were in the right.
open.substack.com/pub/opportun...
Why the Bank of England is Wrong
Again...
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:49 PM
This week thr Bank of England voted 5:4 to keep interest rates the same.
A good piece Ben Ramanauskas setting out the case for why the four who instead voted to cut rates by 0.25% were in the right.
open.substack.com/pub/opportun...
A good piece Ben Ramanauskas setting out the case for why the four who instead voted to cut rates by 0.25% were in the right.
open.substack.com/pub/opportun...
Polls are bouncing all over the place right now.
A 🧵.
Some things I'm confident of:
- Reform are on 30% +/- 2.
- Labour remain slightly ahead of the Tories.
- Labour has lost a lot of votes to the left.
- In England, the sum of the right bloc and left bloc are pretty even.
A 🧵.
Some things I'm confident of:
- Reform are on 30% +/- 2.
- Labour remain slightly ahead of the Tories.
- Labour has lost a lot of votes to the left.
- In England, the sum of the right bloc and left bloc are pretty even.
November 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Polls are bouncing all over the place right now.
A 🧵.
Some things I'm confident of:
- Reform are on 30% +/- 2.
- Labour remain slightly ahead of the Tories.
- Labour has lost a lot of votes to the left.
- In England, the sum of the right bloc and left bloc are pretty even.
A 🧵.
Some things I'm confident of:
- Reform are on 30% +/- 2.
- Labour remain slightly ahead of the Tories.
- Labour has lost a lot of votes to the left.
- In England, the sum of the right bloc and left bloc are pretty even.
Reposted by Iain Mansfield
New post just out:
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Flashing Red
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list"
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:56 AM
New post just out:
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
AI, symmetry and beauty
It's just a jump to the left. And then a step to the right
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Got to admit, shoplifters being publicly put under a gunge tank has its attractions.
Pollsters really should include a non-serious policy option to benchmark how silly (expressive) these survey responses are. 'Would you support or oppose shoplifters being publicly put under a gunge tank?' 'Would you support or oppose fraudsters being made to eat live spiders?'...
November 7, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Got to admit, shoplifters being publicly put under a gunge tank has its attractions.
Feels a fair description of both sides.
I think most of pro & anti people can say what motivates their support or opposition
- active promotion of inclusion and fairness for all groups (maybe particularly women & minorities)
- an excessive focus on diversity/identity over merit: language policing over common sense, risks to free speech
- active promotion of inclusion and fairness for all groups (maybe particularly women & minorities)
- an excessive focus on diversity/identity over merit: language policing over common sense, risks to free speech
November 7, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Feels a fair description of both sides.
Reposted by Iain Mansfield
Best followed up with this FT podcast with
@timleunig.bsky.social who has a nice example of why zero-rating things like food and children's clothing isn't a particularly effective way of supporting poorer households
www.ft.com/content/33d7...
@timleunig.bsky.social who has a nice example of why zero-rating things like food and children's clothing isn't a particularly effective way of supporting poorer households
www.ft.com/content/33d7...
November 7, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Best followed up with this FT podcast with
@timleunig.bsky.social who has a nice example of why zero-rating things like food and children's clothing isn't a particularly effective way of supporting poorer households
www.ft.com/content/33d7...
@timleunig.bsky.social who has a nice example of why zero-rating things like food and children's clothing isn't a particularly effective way of supporting poorer households
www.ft.com/content/33d7...
Reposted by Iain Mansfield
What if there was a consensus on the tax reforms the UK needs?
What if it was backed by policy experts from think tanks across the political spectrum, from the Adam Smith Institute to the Resolution Foundation?
The consensus is real. The question is: will anyone act on it?
What if it was backed by policy experts from think tanks across the political spectrum, from the Adam Smith Institute to the Resolution Foundation?
The consensus is real. The question is: will anyone act on it?
November 5, 2025 at 9:51 AM
What if there was a consensus on the tax reforms the UK needs?
What if it was backed by policy experts from think tanks across the political spectrum, from the Adam Smith Institute to the Resolution Foundation?
The consensus is real. The question is: will anyone act on it?
What if it was backed by policy experts from think tanks across the political spectrum, from the Adam Smith Institute to the Resolution Foundation?
The consensus is real. The question is: will anyone act on it?
Just finished writing this year's Christmas Quiz!
November 5, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Just finished writing this year's Christmas Quiz!
Good thread here.
Having taken a look at the Curriculum and Assessment Review, I’m feeling more reassured than I was with the titbits leaked in advance to the press. I haven’t read every bit of it yet, but here are a few things I’m pleased about and a few things that worry me (definitely not comprehensive)…
November 5, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Good thread here.
➡️262 prisoners released in error last year.
➡️1 in 8 prisoners are foreigners.
We can have a headline like this at least once a fortnight, indefinitely.
This is, to put it mildly, a problem for the government.
➡️1 in 8 prisoners are foreigners.
We can have a headline like this at least once a fortnight, indefinitely.
This is, to put it mildly, a problem for the government.
November 5, 2025 at 12:57 PM
➡️262 prisoners released in error last year.
➡️1 in 8 prisoners are foreigners.
We can have a headline like this at least once a fortnight, indefinitely.
This is, to put it mildly, a problem for the government.
➡️1 in 8 prisoners are foreigners.
We can have a headline like this at least once a fortnight, indefinitely.
This is, to put it mildly, a problem for the government.
"It is the extremes of the right, Caesarism based on ethno-nationalism, or religious nationalism, which it is the duty of conservatives to fight, as once it was the duty of democratic socialists to fight the extremes of the left."
New essay by Lord Waldegrave.
policyexchange.org.uk/publication/...
New essay by Lord Waldegrave.
policyexchange.org.uk/publication/...
Leviathan Revisited - Policy Exchange
Download Publication Online Reader Leviathan Revisited: Why Britain Needs Conservatism by Lord Waldegrave of North Hill, sets out why only a revitalised Conservatism can save Britain, and chart a cour...
policyexchange.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:28 PM
"It is the extremes of the right, Caesarism based on ethno-nationalism, or religious nationalism, which it is the duty of conservatives to fight, as once it was the duty of democratic socialists to fight the extremes of the left."
New essay by Lord Waldegrave.
policyexchange.org.uk/publication/...
New essay by Lord Waldegrave.
policyexchange.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Iain Mansfield
“The sad truth is that reader interest in African stories is very low; whereas in Israel and Gaza it is high. Data analysis allows media outlets to count these views and clicks very carefully — and take them into account when deciding whether to commission expensive foreign assignments.”
This is a really good piece from @joshglancy.bsky.social. Far from “whataboutery“, it’s a genuine attempt to to wrestle with a disturbing and peculiar feature of contemporary politics, namely “why is the world quite so obsessed with Israel and Palestine?” www.jewishnews.co.uk/the-world-wa...
The world was outraged by Gaza. So why doesn’t it care about Sudan? - Jewish News
Sudan’s horror is plain to see. The hypocrisy and indifference is harder to watch
www.jewishnews.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
“The sad truth is that reader interest in African stories is very low; whereas in Israel and Gaza it is high. Data analysis allows media outlets to count these views and clicks very carefully — and take them into account when deciding whether to commission expensive foreign assignments.”
Reposted by Iain Mansfield
What an absolute hero Samir Zitouni is - doubtless he saved lives that day
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Train hero who saved passengers during attack named
The rail worker credited with saving multiple lives is named as Samir Zitouni.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 11:36 AM
What an absolute hero Samir Zitouni is - doubtless he saved lives that day
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Iain Mansfield
A total and utter hero
November 4, 2025 at 11:08 AM
A total and utter hero