Phil Swann
@swannphil.bsky.social
Studying for a PhD at INLOGOV on politicians and central local government relations. Previously worked as a consultant and at the LGA
In the light of the appalling recent developments this begins to make sense. I always challenge conspiracy theories but…..
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-nort....
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-nort....
Irish state papers: How Prince Andrew 'smoothed over' Lord Mandelson's gaffe
The newly-released Irish state papers chart the Good Friday Agreement and the Patten Report.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 7:49 PM
In the light of the appalling recent developments this begins to make sense. I always challenge conspiracy theories but…..
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-nort....
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-nort....
The first sentence of this statement is really interesting. McSweeney says he is resigning from the government. But he was not a member of the government: he was an adviser to it, albeit an important one. The govt comprises the cabinet and other ministers. Says it all?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...
Morgan McSweeney quits as PM's chief of staff following Mandelson scandal
McSweeney says he takes
www.bbc.co.uk
February 8, 2026 at 3:11 PM
The first sentence of this statement is really interesting. McSweeney says he is resigning from the government. But he was not a member of the government: he was an adviser to it, albeit an important one. The govt comprises the cabinet and other ministers. Says it all?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...
An interesting reminder in this piece that John Smith had nothing to do with Mandelson while he was leader of the Labour Party.
The fall of Peter Mandelson and the many questions the UK government must now answer
theconversation.com/the-fall-of-...
The fall of Peter Mandelson and the many questions the UK government must now answer
theconversation.com/the-fall-of-...
The fall of Peter Mandelson and the many questions the UK government must now answer
In the space of a few hours, Mandelson’s future has now shifted from the certainty of ignominy to the possibility of prison.
theconversation.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:30 PM
An interesting reminder in this piece that John Smith had nothing to do with Mandelson while he was leader of the Labour Party.
The fall of Peter Mandelson and the many questions the UK government must now answer
theconversation.com/the-fall-of-...
The fall of Peter Mandelson and the many questions the UK government must now answer
theconversation.com/the-fall-of-...
Stepping Up…some historical reflections on the implications for central-local government relations of Andy Burnham’s bid to stand for Parliament.
www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
Burnham’s ambitions follow 150-year trend
There has long been a perception of local government as a stepping stone or training ground for national office, writes Phil Swann, a PhD student at Inlogov at the University of Birmingham.
www.lgcplus.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Stepping Up…some historical reflections on the implications for central-local government relations of Andy Burnham’s bid to stand for Parliament.
www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
Spot on…. Words matter!
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Carney, Trump and the power of a good speech
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Carney, Trump and the power of a good speech
Carney, Trump and the power of a good speech
Leaders don’t need to write every word themselves, but they do need to make sure it clearly represents their vision
giftarticle.ft.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Spot on…. Words matter!
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Carney, Trump and the power of a good speech
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Carney, Trump and the power of a good speech
Spot on:
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... The plot against London
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... The plot against London
The plot against London
Distorted attacks by the populist right are really about demography
giftarticle.ft.com
January 1, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Spot on:
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... The plot against London
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... The plot against London
Good to see my friend and former colleague Lee Shostak criticising the ambition of the government’s new towns programme.
Key figures in creation of Milton Keynes criticise England’s new towns plan www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Key figures in creation of Milton Keynes criticise England’s new towns plan www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Key figures in creation of Milton Keynes criticise England’s new towns plan
Exclusive: Planners behind postwar new towns hit out at government over lack of ambition and commitment to social housing
www.theguardian.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Good to see my friend and former colleague Lee Shostak criticising the ambition of the government’s new towns programme.
Key figures in creation of Milton Keynes criticise England’s new towns plan www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Key figures in creation of Milton Keynes criticise England’s new towns plan www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Phil Swann
The Covid Inquiry has missed vital lessons on how to make better decisions
We have not learnt much that is new from the inquiry’s Module Two report, say @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/covi...
We have not learnt much that is new from the inquiry’s Module Two report, say @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/covi...
The Covid Inquiry has missed vital lessons on how to make better decisions | Institute for Government
We have not learnt much that is new from the inquiry’s Module Two report.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 2, 2025 at 4:27 PM
The Covid Inquiry has missed vital lessons on how to make better decisions
We have not learnt much that is new from the inquiry’s Module Two report, say @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/covi...
We have not learnt much that is new from the inquiry’s Module Two report, say @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/covi...
Interesting (and depressing?) that the status of the government’s mission boards is now unclear.
1/ Last month, the government released a new list of its parliamentary private secretaries and cabinet committees following September’s reshuffle.
Our explainers are updated with the new numbers!
Here are some key takeaways from the releases…
Our explainers are updated with the new numbers!
Here are some key takeaways from the releases…
December 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Interesting (and depressing?) that the status of the government’s mission boards is now unclear.
Absolutely…..
Guardian’s top story is @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social’s analysis of NHS performance, the latest release from Public Service Performance Tracker 2025.
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
Wes Streeting accused of ‘chaotic and incoherent approach’ to NHS reform
Exclusive: thinktank report finds health secretary has failed to improve productivity, with the health service unlikely to meet its targets
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Absolutely…..
Reposted by Phil Swann
Reposted by Phil Swann
"Sir Keir told the BBC: 'Every minute that is spent talking about anything other than cost-of-living is a wasted minute in my book.'"
OK, so why does his government keep banging on about immigration?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
OK, so why does his government keep banging on about immigration?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Judge me at next election, Keir Starmer tells doubters
The PM tells the BBC he has made
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
"Sir Keir told the BBC: 'Every minute that is spent talking about anything other than cost-of-living is a wasted minute in my book.'"
OK, so why does his government keep banging on about immigration?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
OK, so why does his government keep banging on about immigration?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Phil Swann
Reform has lost over 5% of councillors it had elected six months ago
A @matildamartin.bsky.social deep dive into the councils won by Farage's party in May found what a local government expert called "unusual" levels of churn
Exclusions, suspensions and resignations have taken place nationwide
A @matildamartin.bsky.social deep dive into the councils won by Farage's party in May found what a local government expert called "unusual" levels of churn
Exclusions, suspensions and resignations have taken place nationwide
Reform Is Losing Councillors Elected In May At An 'Unusual' Rate
Reform UK has lost more than 5 per cent of the councillors it had elected six months ago, an analysis by PoliticsHome has found.
www.politicshome.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Reform has lost over 5% of councillors it had elected six months ago
A @matildamartin.bsky.social deep dive into the councils won by Farage's party in May found what a local government expert called "unusual" levels of churn
Exclusions, suspensions and resignations have taken place nationwide
A @matildamartin.bsky.social deep dive into the councils won by Farage's party in May found what a local government expert called "unusual" levels of churn
Exclusions, suspensions and resignations have taken place nationwide
In an earlier era the minister responsible would have resigned. A return to that principle may force ministers to fix our broken systems.
October 24, 2025 at 6:33 PM
In an earlier era the minister responsible would have resigned. A return to that principle may force ministers to fix our broken systems.
Sad to see that Rob Lane has died. I can remember working with him when I led on transport stuff at the AMA in the 1980s.
Rob Lane obituary www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Rob Lane obituary www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Rob Lane obituary
Other lives: GLC director of highways and transport who hoped to curb car use and promote public services
www.theguardian.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Sad to see that Rob Lane has died. I can remember working with him when I led on transport stuff at the AMA in the 1980s.
Rob Lane obituary www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Rob Lane obituary www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Phil Swann
This is a grim read. I stick to my view that the wilful blindness of the government to the financial crisis in local government will cost them their majority at the next election. Why not roll the dice for change when the local public realm is falling apart? www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
English councils to remain poorer than in 2010 despite funding rise, says report
Exclusive: Impact of austerity cannot be undone by end of parliament despite above-inflation funding, analysis finds
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:22 PM
This is a grim read. I stick to my view that the wilful blindness of the government to the financial crisis in local government will cost them their majority at the next election. Why not roll the dice for change when the local public realm is falling apart? www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
A piece of myth-busting essential reading….
on.ft.com/48sdQoR No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
on.ft.com/48sdQoR No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
It’s far from perfect, but the UK’s spending is broadly controlled and employment is high
on.ft.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:02 PM
A piece of myth-busting essential reading….
on.ft.com/48sdQoR No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
on.ft.com/48sdQoR No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
Reposted by Phil Swann
Jean Payton Reid, architect and town planner (1917-97). Liberton Kirkyard, Edinburgh. Thought to have been Scotland's first female town planner. Family monument - pink granite obelisk.
#31DaysOfGraves day 12 notable women. #herstory
thepastandotherplaces.wordpress.com/2023/01/14/a...
#31DaysOfGraves day 12 notable women. #herstory
thepastandotherplaces.wordpress.com/2023/01/14/a...
October 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Jean Payton Reid, architect and town planner (1917-97). Liberton Kirkyard, Edinburgh. Thought to have been Scotland's first female town planner. Family monument - pink granite obelisk.
#31DaysOfGraves day 12 notable women. #herstory
thepastandotherplaces.wordpress.com/2023/01/14/a...
#31DaysOfGraves day 12 notable women. #herstory
thepastandotherplaces.wordpress.com/2023/01/14/a...
Love this street name in Montréal…made even nicer by the fact it crosses a street named after JFK.
September 27, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Love this street name in Montréal…made even nicer by the fact it crosses a street named after JFK.
Some wise words from Andrew Marr in this week’s New Statesman
magazine.newstatesman.com/2025/09/24/t...
magazine.newstatesman.com/2025/09/24/t...
The supreme folly of a Labour civil war
A leadership battle could hand No 10 to Nigel Farage
magazine.newstatesman.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Some wise words from Andrew Marr in this week’s New Statesman
magazine.newstatesman.com/2025/09/24/t...
magazine.newstatesman.com/2025/09/24/t...
Reposted by Phil Swann
Born #OTD 1665, John Hervey, 1st earl of Bristol. MP for Bury St. Edmunds for nine years, he was described as "preferring the environment of home or the race course" to Westminster in #HistParl's Commons 1690-1715 volumes. Read his full biography here: ow.ly/LwTI50T35kK
August 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Born #OTD 1665, John Hervey, 1st earl of Bristol. MP for Bury St. Edmunds for nine years, he was described as "preferring the environment of home or the race course" to Westminster in #HistParl's Commons 1690-1715 volumes. Read his full biography here: ow.ly/LwTI50T35kK
And the future of local government hinges on fundamentally reforming its financial systems!
Writing for @hsj.co.uk our Senior Economic Adviser, Anita Charlesworth says that the 10-Year Health Plan sets out a compelling vision, but its success will depend on overhauling financial systems to truly transform care.
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4kvm029
Read more ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4kvm029
July 13, 2025 at 8:06 AM
And the future of local government hinges on fundamentally reforming its financial systems!
Absolutely outrageous!
Car culture is insanity. Dad is 82, has stopped driving and sold the car. Last bit of admin was to cancel the AA. They tied to convince him he should continue driving. 🙃
July 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Absolutely outrageous!
Reposted by Phil Swann
Car culture is insanity. Dad is 82, has stopped driving and sold the car. Last bit of admin was to cancel the AA. They tied to convince him he should continue driving. 🙃
July 11, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Car culture is insanity. Dad is 82, has stopped driving and sold the car. Last bit of admin was to cancel the AA. They tied to convince him he should continue driving. 🙃