Short piece for @theconversation.com with @nathancritch.bsky.social. We explore what the Mandelson vetting controversy can tell us about issues of political accountability and the role of independent scrutiny in UK governance. theconversation.com/mandelson-ve...

New piece with @drdarcyluke.bsky.social in @theconversation.com on the Mandelson vetting scandal and what it reveals about Whitehall’s deeper accountability failures and toxic mix of weak scrutiny and unclear political responsibility. 🔗 theconversation.com/mandelson-ve...

After news that OpenAI has signed a deal to use AI to increase productivity in the UK's public services, what do we know about Labour’s AI policy plan? And importantly, will it work? By @nathancritch.bsky.social & @drdarcyluke.bsky.social politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/what-do...

Another new piece out on UK governance reform with @drdarcyluke.bsky.social. This time, we assess recent commentary on Whitehall culture and ask whether this is really the root of the British state's deep problems. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

AI policy is central to Labour’s agenda at all levels. But there is reason to be sceptical of their techno-solutionist approach. By @nathancritch.bsky.social & @drdarcyluke.bsky.social

Short piece on the Budget for @productivity.bsky.social In summary, a water-treading, short-termist and incremental Budget. A missed opportunity for more substantial measures that might drive productivity & growth.

After news that OpenAI has signed a deal to use AI to increase productivity in the UK's public services, what do we know about Labour’s AI policy plan? And importantly, will it work? By @nathancritch.bsky.social & @drdarcyluke.bsky.social politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/what-do...

Pleased to have this piece out in @politicalquarterly.bsky.social. @nathancritch.bsky.social & I place Labour's ambitions for AI in the context of nearly a decade of AI policies to critically engage with the increasingly 'techno-solutionist' hype around AI. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Pleased to see evidence submitted with @nathancritch.bsky.social, Patrick Diamond, @profdaverichards.bsky.social, @samwarner.bsky.social & @andywestwood.bsky.social was referenced in the 7th Report on Industrial Strategy by the Business & Trade Committee. publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...

A short piece on the Spending Review written for the @productivity.bsky.social with my colleagues @nathancritch.bsky.social, @profdaverichards.bsky.social, @samwarner.bsky.social, @andywestwood.bsky.social & Patrick Diamond. www.productivity.ac.uk/news/from-a-...

Written evidence from @nathancritch.bsky.social, @profdaverichards.bsky.social, @samwarner.bsky.social, @andywestwood.bsky.social, Patrick Diamond and myself to Business & Trade Committee inquiry on Industrial Strategy has been published You can read here: committees.parliament.uk/work/8882/in...

Is Labour doing enough to address the deep-seated problems with the British state? @nathancritch.bsky.social, Patrick Diamond, Darcy Luke, @profdaverichards.bsky.social, @samwarner.bsky.social, and @andywestwood.bsky.social discuss the government's approach to institutional reform

Very pleased to have this piece, co-authored with @nathancritch.bsky.social, Patrick Diamond, @profdaverichards.bsky.social, Sam Warner & @andywestwood.bsky.social, in @renewaljournal.bsky.social. renewal.org.uk/blog/will-la...

Pleased @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social have published this piece on the Spring Statement co-written with @nathancritch.bsky.social, @samwarner.bsky.social & David Richards. We argue the Spring Statement signals a return of Treasury orthodoxy which may undermine Labour's bolder plans for change.

New blog piece contextualising Labour's approach to AI in light of the Paris AI summit. @nathancritch.bsky.social and I argue that the UK is plotting it's own course on AI regulation as part of an ambitious domestic agenda for AI. Thanks to @mileendinstitute.bsky.social for publishing!

A short piece I was asked to put together on the devolution deal for Cheshire & Warrington. Very happy to be given the opportunity to write for a local paper that is doing great work reporting on important local issues. www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/2493409...

New paper out yesterday in Parliamentary Affairs, examining 14 years of Conservative party statecraft and its interplay between an idea of modernization and a more hardline Thatcherite English Toryism therein academic.oup.com/pa/advance-a...

Excellent work on devolution from the folks at Labour Together. The legitimacy (or lack thereof) of governing institutions is a key issue facing contemporary democracies. That's why perceptions matter. As such, it's great to see bespoke polling being done to address vital research questions.

Industrial strategies have come & gone so often that it's easy to be cynical. That said, in a recent piece with Nathan Critch for the @productivity.bsky.social we look at Labour's 'Invest 2035' Green Paper and find reasons to be (cautiously) cheerful! www.productivity.ac.uk/news/an-end-...

Pouring out a pint of ale today for John. I think that politics sorely needs more Prescotts. RIP to a real one. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Jonathan Ashworth, in his Inside Labour newsletter, points out that @labouruk.bsky.social has allocated the largest sum of money ever to protect sustainable food production. That's £5bn to the #farming budget. £60m for farmers who suffered from severe flooding (1/4)

And nor should there be. I'm not really a fan of folks using the issue of food inflation/security to attempt to blackmail their way out of rightfully paying inheritance tax. The government is right to stand firm in response to these hysterics. www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/rachel...

A bit late, but seeing as I'm new on the platform I thought I'd post my latest blog on Port Talbot for the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social We explore policy implications of the closure, touching on some of the issues still facing devolved administrations. www.qmul.ac.uk/mei/news-and...