John Kell
@jmkpolicy.bsky.social
Transport policy in local government. Some local radio on the side. Personal views.
I encountered a related (though distinct) problem in campaigning organisations: fundraising can become a tail that wags the policy dog, either by driving focus to the work it's easiest to raise money for, or letting fundraising lines trump policy. policyforcampaigns.substack.com/p/policy-for...
Policy for Campaigns 12: Tails that can wag the policy dog
How can other parts of a campaigning organisation muscle in on policy work?
policyforcampaigns.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:37 AM
I encountered a related (though distinct) problem in campaigning organisations: fundraising can become a tail that wags the policy dog, either by driving focus to the work it's easiest to raise money for, or letting fundraising lines trump policy. policyforcampaigns.substack.com/p/policy-for...
Not just C20th stuff either... bsky.app/profile/thev...
Thanks to Architects' Journal for listening to our concerns about a growing pattern of the Secretary of State refusing to add important historic buildings to the National Heritage List for England, even when formally recommended to do so by Historic England. Griff and our Director are quoted.
EXCLUSIVE: Labour ministers repeatedly overruling official listing advice
Heritage campaigners have voiced alarm after figures showed ministers are increasingly rejecting listing advice from the government’s own statutory adviser, Historic England
bit.ly
October 22, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Not just C20th stuff either... bsky.app/profile/thev...
I'd expect GBR to start setting the agenda for the railway in a more muscular way once it's established as a statutory body, prob not before. For comparison, that's when NHS England started acting more proactively / independently. Tho GBR may be wary of seeming too independent & going the same way!
October 10, 2025 at 12:29 PM
I'd expect GBR to start setting the agenda for the railway in a more muscular way once it's established as a statutory body, prob not before. For comparison, that's when NHS England started acting more proactively / independently. Tho GBR may be wary of seeming too independent & going the same way!
Reposted by John Kell
That's not to say there's nothing the government could do to improve the welfare system. But the idea that costs are "out of control" compared to the past is wrong and leads to misdiagnosis.
September 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM
That's not to say there's nothing the government could do to improve the welfare system. But the idea that costs are "out of control" compared to the past is wrong and leads to misdiagnosis.
Angela Rayner's policy legacy probably won't get discussed as much as her tax affairs over the next few days, but it's probably the most successful of Labour's first year. Forget the 1970s: she ushered in the biggest overhaul of local and regional government since the 1890s.
September 5, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Angela Rayner's policy legacy probably won't get discussed as much as her tax affairs over the next few days, but it's probably the most successful of Labour's first year. Forget the 1970s: she ushered in the biggest overhaul of local and regional government since the 1890s.
Yes, another big example. I do think there's something in the pubs one - it's cheaper / working class pubs that have gone, plus in some places a bit of market correction for over-provision I suspect.
And I dare say F&C will change as a sector; it's not a cheap meal any more...
And I dare say F&C will change as a sector; it's not a cheap meal any more...
August 15, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Yes, another big example. I do think there's something in the pubs one - it's cheaper / working class pubs that have gone, plus in some places a bit of market correction for over-provision I suspect.
And I dare say F&C will change as a sector; it's not a cheap meal any more...
And I dare say F&C will change as a sector; it's not a cheap meal any more...