Martin Stanley
@ukcivilservant.bsky.social
I write about, and for, the UK civil service and regulators. Author 'How to be a Civil Servant' and 'How to Succeed in the Senior Civil Service'. Previously Business Department and CMA.
Reposted by Martin Stanley
The @nestauk.bsky.social & IFS "Be the Chancellor" tax calculator is just as nerdy! (We calculate the tax for the exchequer, rather than the individual) Prettiness is in the eye of the beholder, but our pink is lovely @danneidle.bsky.social @helenmiller.bsky.social www.nesta.org.uk/data-visuali...
November 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The @nestauk.bsky.social & IFS "Be the Chancellor" tax calculator is just as nerdy! (We calculate the tax for the exchequer, rather than the individual) Prettiness is in the eye of the beholder, but our pink is lovely @danneidle.bsky.social @helenmiller.bsky.social www.nesta.org.uk/data-visuali...
Reform's plans for the civil service (and for the House of Lords and Judicial Review) are discussed here:-
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/reform-uks...
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/reform-uks...
Reform UK's Plans for the Civil Service
And farewell the Lords and Judicial Review!
ukcivilservant.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Reform's plans for the civil service (and for the House of Lords and Judicial Review) are discussed here:-
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/reform-uks...
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/reform-uks...
Reposted by Martin Stanley
There's a certain type of politician that needs to believe themselves to be too moral to get involved in the dirtiness of politics and gets caught in the cognitive dissonance of hiring other people to do it for them.
Gordon Brown was like that with Ed Balls and Damian McBride.
Gordon Brown was like that with Ed Balls and Damian McBride.
November 13, 2025 at 1:09 PM
There's a certain type of politician that needs to believe themselves to be too moral to get involved in the dirtiness of politics and gets caught in the cognitive dissonance of hiring other people to do it for them.
Gordon Brown was like that with Ed Balls and Damian McBride.
Gordon Brown was like that with Ed Balls and Damian McBride.
Reposted by Martin Stanley
This is an appalling judgment to read. Two Chief Constables found in contempt of court for misleading the court about the existence of video footage. But this was only discovered when the matter made it to the Court of Appeal. Incredible perseverance.
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
Judges set to decide fate of police chief constable guilty of contempt of court
Exclusive: Ivan Balhatchet, Northamptonshire’s chief constable, could face up to two years in jail or a fine for repeated failure to obey rulings
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
This is an appalling judgment to read. Two Chief Constables found in contempt of court for misleading the court about the existence of video footage. But this was only discovered when the matter made it to the Court of Appeal. Incredible perseverance.
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWC...
Interesting exchange below. I agree that many specialist leaders of specialist Arms Length Bodies are poor managers. (ONS = recent example?) It can be a good idea to ensure they are supported by an experienced manager who does not need to have similar professional expertise.
November 12, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Interesting exchange below. I agree that many specialist leaders of specialist Arms Length Bodies are poor managers. (ONS = recent example?) It can be a good idea to ensure they are supported by an experienced manager who does not need to have similar professional expertise.
Lots of generations can be experienced in/near the Tower of London. This photo contains parts of the Tower itself, its Armistice Day poppy display and the Shard.
November 10, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Lots of generations can be experienced in/near the Tower of London. This photo contains parts of the Tower itself, its Armistice Day poppy display and the Shard.
Reposted by Martin Stanley
Crisis at the Critic Sketchcasting Corporation!
Crisis at the CSC | Robert Hutton | The Critic Magazine
From the desk of Lord Kronsteen, founder and proprietor of the Critic Sketchcasting Corporation. To all staff, It is with a heavy heart that I take pen in hand to inform you of the resignation of both…
thecritic.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Crisis at the Critic Sketchcasting Corporation!
Reposted by Martin Stanley
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
Reposted by Martin Stanley
Depressing that the BBC has so little inherent institutional strength, it is kicked about so easily.
This is not good sign for our polity.
This is not good sign for our polity.
November 9, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Depressing that the BBC has so little inherent institutional strength, it is kicked about so easily.
This is not good sign for our polity.
This is not good sign for our polity.
Reposted by Martin Stanley
Just absolutely classic BBC. You've just broadcast the most successful programme of the year, uniting Gen Z kids online and Boomers on broadcast in a return to appointment television. And instead of celebrating, your DG reigns due to a made-up right-wing scandal.
November 9, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Just absolutely classic BBC. You've just broadcast the most successful programme of the year, uniting Gen Z kids online and Boomers on broadcast in a return to appointment television. And instead of celebrating, your DG reigns due to a made-up right-wing scandal.
Reposted by Martin Stanley
I have used this mental glitch to rig "stakeholder sessions" with senior managers and academics.
There’s a work exercise where to inform what we want to do next we have 3 stickers to put on the suggestions. By going first and adding two stickers to one of the suggestions almost always guarantees people will follow the heat maps to avoid “wasting” their votes.
November 8, 2025 at 8:32 AM
I have used this mental glitch to rig "stakeholder sessions" with senior managers and academics.
Reposted by Martin Stanley
Chris Mason is what happens when a Hospital Radio DJ, whose sole qualification appears to be a sort of soporific inoffensiveness, is somehow promoted to BBC Politics Editor - a position that demands unflinching insight, objectivity, and sharpness. It's like a puddle trying to be the ocean.
November 7, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Chris Mason is what happens when a Hospital Radio DJ, whose sole qualification appears to be a sort of soporific inoffensiveness, is somehow promoted to BBC Politics Editor - a position that demands unflinching insight, objectivity, and sharpness. It's like a puddle trying to be the ocean.
Reposted by Martin Stanley
Important, timely, analysis by @lgilbert.co debunking the commonly used line that "migrants are a burden". Shows that migrants are overwhelmingly bet fiscal contributors. Basically, you target migration, you crash the country.
"Home Office data suggests that recent immigrants are more likely to be working than British nationals and make higher wages than them."
✍️ Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out,
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
✍️ Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out,
ukandeu.ac.uk/lower-migrat...
Lower migration is bad news for the UK economy - UK in a changing Europe
Lauren Gilbert argues that migrants to the UK are net fiscal contributors, adding much more to the economy than they take out, and that the recent collapse in immigration will harm the UK's economic p...
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 7, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Important, timely, analysis by @lgilbert.co debunking the commonly used line that "migrants are a burden". Shows that migrants are overwhelmingly bet fiscal contributors. Basically, you target migration, you crash the country.
Very good politically-aware discussion of pay-per-mile road taxes. 👇👇
The battle over pay-per-mile road tax could destroy Keir Starmer's government – here's how Labour can avoid disaster (FREE TO READ!)
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/pay-per-mi...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/pay-per-mi...
The battle over pay-per-mile road tax could destroy Keir Starmer's government – here's how Labour can avoid disaster
The new culture war to end all culture wars?
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Very good politically-aware discussion of pay-per-mile road taxes. 👇👇
Reposted by Martin Stanley
🧵 Here’s why a left-wing Democrat winning in New York is proof that Keir Starmer needs to move further left to win in small red wall towns in Britain. (1/245)
November 5, 2025 at 10:04 AM
🧵 Here’s why a left-wing Democrat winning in New York is proof that Keir Starmer needs to move further left to win in small red wall towns in Britain. (1/245)
Constitutional guardrails depend on politicians & others adhering to settled standards of behaviour & other norms. These guardrails seem weaker these days. So would public law help c/servants restrain an anti-democratic government? Ben Yong thinks not:
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/could-the-...
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/could-the-...
Could the Civil Service Restrain a Populist, Anti-Democratic Government?
I recently recommended Ben Yong’s 16 October UCL lecture about the civil service’s constitutional foundations and how it might respond to a populist government.
ukcivilservant.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Constitutional guardrails depend on politicians & others adhering to settled standards of behaviour & other norms. These guardrails seem weaker these days. So would public law help c/servants restrain an anti-democratic government? Ben Yong thinks not:
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/could-the-...
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/could-the-...
Reposted by Martin Stanley
If you want to understand the emotional end intellectual malaise of British politics, this piece by @mjrobbins.com is a pretty good place to start. It effectively describes a country that has gone mad. open.substack.com/pub/martinro...
November 3, 2025 at 7:20 AM
If you want to understand the emotional end intellectual malaise of British politics, this piece by @mjrobbins.com is a pretty good place to start. It effectively describes a country that has gone mad. open.substack.com/pub/martinro...
Reposted by Martin Stanley
It's sometimes hard to remember that public services can be delivered with pride and self confidence
November 1, 2025 at 11:27 AM
It's sometimes hard to remember that public services can be delivered with pride and self confidence
Kew Gardens were lovely today.
November 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Kew Gardens were lovely today.
Could the civil service restrain a Reform government?
TL:DR No!
A brilliant recent lecture by @bymyong.bsky.social is here:
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/could-the-...
TL:DR No!
A brilliant recent lecture by @bymyong.bsky.social is here:
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/could-the-...
Could the Civil Service Restrain a Populist, Anti-Democratic Government?
I recently recommended Ben Yong’s 16 October UCL lecture about the civil service’s constitutional foundations and how it might respond to a populist government.
ukcivilservant.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Could the civil service restrain a Reform government?
TL:DR No!
A brilliant recent lecture by @bymyong.bsky.social is here:
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/could-the-...
TL:DR No!
A brilliant recent lecture by @bymyong.bsky.social is here:
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/could-the-...
Reposted by Martin Stanley
There should be a word - maybe the Germans have one? - for when politicians get caught up on pettifogging rules they happily imposed on the rest of the population.
October 30, 2025 at 8:15 AM
There should be a word - maybe the Germans have one? - for when politicians get caught up on pettifogging rules they happily imposed on the rest of the population.
Reposted by Martin Stanley
The Chancellor continues her assault on regulators:-
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/the-chance...
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/the-chance...
The Chancellor Does Not Like Regulators or Regulation
I was startled to read the Financial Times report (11 September) that Rachel Reeves had pledged to “take out more regulators” and had already acted by “getting rid of the Chair of the [Competition and...
ukcivilservant.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:52 AM
The Chancellor continues her assault on regulators:-
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/the-chance...
ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/the-chance...
Reposted by Martin Stanley
A fascinating example of how “Not my problem, mate” is destroying faith in society
Rats, flies and maggots: The Wigan homeowners plagued by 25,000 tonnes of illegal waste
Rats, flies and maggots: The Wigan homeowners plagued by 25,000 tonnes of illegal waste
"That smell of maggots, rotting food and maggots, my house smells like that."
news.sky.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:31 AM
A fascinating example of how “Not my problem, mate” is destroying faith in society
Reposted by Martin Stanley
Just watched A House of Dynamite. It was a hard enough watch without reflecting on the quality of the people currently filling some of the roles.
October 27, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Just watched A House of Dynamite. It was a hard enough watch without reflecting on the quality of the people currently filling some of the roles.