Re PM’s statement, I get need to stay focused, avoid precipitate acts or over-heated rhetoric. But, it hewed too close to pretence that this is just normal diplomatic spat. It should’ve acknowledged we’re in seriously different territory, and shown more underlying steel. www.gov.uk/government/s...

If I was President of the United States, the last thing I’d do is start questioning territorial claims based on ‘people arriving in boats hundreds of years ago’.

New, admirably succinct, guide to successful policy-making just published. Further information in this Substack: open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...

This Substack draws attention to an interesting debate about the relationship between 'the Centre' and departments:- ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/pms-advise...

I can't see that this cruelty is going to encourage Ukrainians to become Russians.

Yes, yes, yes of course. But all this was obvious in 2016. The only way for the insurgents of Vote Leave to have their revolution was by depending on those for whom the only change they wanted was for things to once again be the way they apparently once were.

This is why there's a whole chapter in my book about the damage the grid has done to policy making.

New, admirably succinct, guide to successful policy-making just published. Further information in this Substack: open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils...

So much hard detail in this cartoon.

This Substack draws attention to an interesting debate about the relationship between 'the Centre' and departments:- ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/pms-advise...

This from former British diplomat @alexhh.bsky.social, who now is now based in the US, really hits home about the nightmare currently playing out in Trump's America bylinetimes.com/2026/01/15/a...

Politicians: don't use AI to make your maps.

Which is true but also impossible. And that’s why nothing can change.

NEW: Top DOJ officials quit after their division refused to probe Minnesota ICE shooting - At least four leaders of the Civil Rights Division resigned because the section's head, Harmeet Dhillon, decided not to investigate shooting of Renee Good. www.ms.now/news/doj-civ...

Anyone who is interested in listening to BBC Radio from outside the UK, please see the link below for ways to do so.

I know everyone loves complaining at women govt ministers but at least pick the right one. The Grok situation is Liz Kendall's remit. DCMS hasn't been responsible for online safety for some time.

Here is a video of a frozen creek that had begun to thaw, and the water was flowing beneath the thin ice on top. I took this because it was soothing and wonderfully bloopy and I wanted to listen to it for hours. You are all welcome to enjoy it, too. Let your brain settle here and rest for a moment.

BIG FIGHT AT POLAND’S WROCLAW ZOO!!!

How government engagement on X works. A wholly typical post and a wholly typical reply.

An especially good map.

This is like charging a subscription fee for drunk driving.

Illuminating response to the post below from a former civil servant who's written extensively on these sorts of issues. samf.substack.com/p/advice-for...

I think this is the best analysis of the state of British media I have read for years and yet it is also ostensibly a work of satirical fiction. From the enchanted keyboard of @roberthutton.co.uk thecritic.co.uk/bring-back-d...

ICYMI:- A random question led me to an intriguing story involving currency trading, an inquiry into civil service integrity, some high quality writing, a very annoyed wife, and the Katyn massacre. You can read it here:- ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/what-links...

Can’t find the post now but someone wrote “Every book about a British double agent says “At university he was president of the Friends of Stalin society for two years.” Whilst every book about an American double agent says “ When he bought his fourth Lamborghini his colleagues became suspicious.”

This article highlights the problem: www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...

"there I was, scrolling through my feed made up of white supremacist podcasters and AI bots that allow me to undress child actors without their consent, when I saw a tweet about Labour's new building initiatives and thought, sign me up!!!"

amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders

A random question led me to a fascinating story involving currency trading, an inquiry into civil service integrity, some high quality writing, a very annoyed wife, and the Katyn massacre. You can read it here: ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/what-links...

I'm not a diplomat, but one thing I have to do regularly is to draft or help to draft public statements that parties to litigation agree as part of a settlement. There is an art to drafting something that reasonable readers can agree is clear but from which they draw irreconcilable meanings. /1

The French far right as always been, in part, motivated by anti-Americanism. Le Pen and Bardella have had notably cooler relations with MAGA than, say, Farage or the AfD. (Despite the US alt-right being v influence by French far right thinkers).

this was basically Russia’s original plan in Ukraine they just couldn’t make it to Kyiv

Keeping my death certificate stored conveniently on my phone for when I need it

A remarkable trend that will come as a shock to you if your only info about NYC is from this Fox News. Homicides in NYC... 1990: 2,262 1993: 1,927 1998: 629 2001: 649 2013: 335 2019: 320 2021: 488 2024: 382 2025 (as of 12/28): 302

This, from the Home Office strategy "Having a Sensible Conversation about Immigration" is really good: sensible, balanced and evidence-based. Exactly the right approach for a centre-left government.

Thanks Pete. Truly wonderful! I have added it to my civil service website:- www.civilservant.org.uk

This advice (from a temporary postman) is even more important if you might ever need an ambulance to find your house. Invest now in a prominent house number or name.

My colleague @juliacushion.bsky.social made a “sunlight optimism” spreadsheet, my colleague @zarino.co.uk said there should be a postcode lookup version, I have the day off, the kid has gone swimming, and so, I present: The Sunlight Optimism Calculator: dracos.co.uk/made/sunligh...

Lots of parallels between #Ashes defeat and what Labour voters in 2024 are feeling about the govt right now.. "its the hope that kills you". "It was supposed to be different this time". you wait 15 years for a win in Australia/regain power and then it all falls to pieces super quickly

lets fuckin go

If he can't get off on a "personal use" excuse then I don't know what Europe's coming to.

Reform are thinking hard about their relationship with the civil service, if they ever gain power. Here is my analysis of Danny Kruger's latest speech: ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/storm-and-...

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politic... Civil Servants advise, Ministers decide. It’s not “London” or HM Treasury or Department for Transport who have killed West Yorkshire trams and Northern Rail. It’s Reeves and Starmer. Mainly for reasons of internal Labour Party politics.

Reform are thinking hard about their relationship with the civil service, if they ever gain power. Here is my analysis of Danny Kruger's latest speech: ukcivilservant.substack.com/p/storm-and-...

Only 10 copies left of my Christmas stocking book, ideal for those working in any large organisation:- *Speaking Truth to Power*. Some sample pages below. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1838467971

📝Our new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report with @jackpannell.bsky.social & @emmanorris.bsky.social out today sets out out the underlying problems with the way public inquiries are established We argue ministers need better support to make informed decisions about how an inquiry should be set up

For those eager to know more, here's the updated explainer, which goes into a bit more detail (i.e. more charts!): www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ci... @instituteforgovernment.org.uk

The tone (and often the substance) of many of the responses to Rachel's post are very disturbing.

Only 10 copies left of my Christmas stocking book, ideal for those working in any large organisation:- *Speaking Truth to Power*. Some sample pages below. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1838467971

New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social "Why Kupyansk Matters" On how Ukraine is fighting back and embarrassing Putin in a battle he claimed he'd already won. And the importance of undermining Russia's narrative. (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...