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Alex Thomas

@alexgathomas.bsky.social
5K followers 857 following 1.7K posts

Executive Director, Institute for Government. Ex-Cabinet Office, Defra, Dept of Health. Interested in all things good government

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Reposted by Alex Thomas
Amber Dellar @amberdellar.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
NEW: Plans to reduce EHCPs look optimistic and Burnham's public service reforms still need a plan for schools In our first IfG Performance Tracker chapter, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org, we look at how the government is performing on its schools agenda [1/9]
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Performance Tracker 2026: Schools | Institute for Government
The government must better measure success across its school priorities and set out a clear long-term vision for the structure of the school system.
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Some good, strong, David Hume common sense to help everyone this evening
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Reposted by Alex Thomas
Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 30/09/2026
In conversation with Alex Burghart MP, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party 📆Monday 5 October, 13:10–13:50 Heading to Birmingham for the Conservative Party Conference? Join us to hear the party's Deputy Leader chat to @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/ifg-co...
In conversation with Alex Burghart MP, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party  
Monday 5 October | 13:10–13:50
Speakers:

Alex Burghart MP, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party

This event will be chaired by Alex Thomas, Executive Director at the Institute for Government.
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Reposted by Alex Thomas
Stuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
NEW: Burnham made a strong case for adult social care reform at conference, but pushed the National Care Service into next parliament I argue he should get on with it, use his majority and 2024 mandate and establish the NCS in this parliament 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Andy Burnham should establish the National Care Service this parliament | Institute for Government
There is no reason to delay plans for potentially three years.
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Here’s our instant reaction to the PM’s speech yesterday - have a listen ⬇️ With chatter (and dog - subject to editing) in the background. We recorded it in the bar of the Albert Dock Ibis - sitting next to the same two pint-drinking Liverpool residents who enjoyed/endured our chunterings last year
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Reposted by Alex Thomas
Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 30/09/2026
PODCAST 🎙️ Burnham goes big: What difference does it make? @claire-ainsley.bsky.social @sophiestowers.bsky.social joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social in Liverpool to share their reaction to the PM's big conference speech www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
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Reposted by Alex Thomas
Ben Paxton @drbenpaxton.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
NEW IfG report out today on how government should approach reforming health and disability benefits The big takeaway: the system needs to better match people’s needs to the right support - through assessment reform, political leadership and more... www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Designing better incapacity benefits | Institute for Government
Personalising benefits and support is key to helping disabled people into work.
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Reposted by Alex Thomas
Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The assisted dying bill has been voted down by MPs at 2nd reading today. There are strong views on many sides but it also raises questions of whether PMBs are the right way to legislate on complex, ethical issues. We discussed this earlier this year www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/assist...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Are private members' bills a good way for MPs to decide on difficult policy issues? | Institute for Government
An expert panel drew on lessons from the recent assisted dying bill and other PMBs to consider how backbench MPs should approach complex issues.
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
A new national statistician - interesting (overdue) news Also perm sec Cat Little moves from the Cabinet Office/OPMC to Dept for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade And Tom Riordan becomes perm sec at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Govt
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Reposted by Alex Thomas
Stuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
New comment: the abolition of NHS England is drifting, with key questions unanswered Burnham and Cooper have not articulated their vision for the NHS. That can't last. The Health Bill is coming back to the Commons, forcing them to decide More 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/yvet...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Will Yvette Cooper and Andy Burnham still abolish NHS England? | Institute for Government
Wes Streeting's Health Bill is on its way back to the Commons.
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Reposted by Alex Thomas
Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 04/09/2026
Today we are at the Reform UK Party Conference in Birmingham. Join us at 13:00 in the NEC when @alexgathomas.bsky.social will be in conversation with Danny Kruger, head of the Reform UK's unit for preparing the party for government www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/ifg-re...
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Over the top?
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Reposted by Alex Thomas
Alice Lilly @aliceolilly.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Some 🚨personal news🚨 After 11 brilliant years at IfG (time that on a personal level has included one cross-country move and the addition of one child) I've decided it's time for a new challenge! From 1 Sept I'm going freelance. If you'd like to work together, I'm on alice[at]aliceolilly[dot]com
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Spread far and wide! Was my companion for a US trip about 6 years ago and I think of it often
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
You will not regret it!
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I guess I’m saying it’s not just by being a good person - it’s by being really good at being a good person
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
At the risk of overdoing it: Dolly Parton’s life was so rich because (as well as supernatural musical talent) her love and faith was accompanied by outstanding skill at the business of music and charity, and being an incredible political actor (you can’t appeal across the aisle otherwise)
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I may be some time
Spotify playlist: This Is Dolly Parton
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
If you have not listened to this amazing series then now would be a very good time to do it ⬇️ What a definition of a well-lived life
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Never anything other than unnerving The picture, obviously, not the excellent piece
Ciaran Martin as nobody has ever seen him
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
This is really thought provoking - one to read and reflect upon @carnegieendowment.org @hetanshah.bsky.social
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Not your main point, but the number will probably be a lot smaller - as OR was only (re) employed as a civil servant for a relatively short time at FCDO. But there will still have been a sizeable pay out I’m sure
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
August editors - sharpen up
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
All hail Bonnie Tyler and the people of Neath/Swansea/Cimla/Mumbles This took me straight back to family chats - and a reminder of the *incredible* number of stars from S Wales: Tyler, Jones (T&R), Burton, Secombe, Bassey, Zeta-Jones, Sheen, Thomas & more & more www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"My mam used to cut Gaynor's husband
Bobbie's hair and so he would let her into the nightclubs [which he managed] in the town without having to queue.
"She actually met my father in one of them, The Townsend, where Bonnie would regularly perform.
"My father is unwell so my mam is home looking after him and can't be here, so l wanted to come on behalf of us all to thank her.
"I've met her a few times - in Marks and Spencer and on a flight to Portugal."
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
(Am not overlooking obscene Trump election fraud prep for the midterms and whatever follows - but this could be more important for the presidential race…perhaps)
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Biggest electoral news from the US in months (if it holds - New Hampshire & others might challenge) For all us Robert-Caro-reading-Trump-gerrymander-worrying-Orange-County-is-more-familiar-than-the-Home-Counties-Armerico-election-o’philes This will (might) matter www.nytimes.com/2026/08/15/u...
nytimes.com
Democrats Make South Carolina the First Contest in 2028 Presidential Primary Calendar
The party’s membership finalized the new order for the first six states to winnow the candidate field, pushing back Iowa and New Hampshire.
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Reposted by Alex Thomas
Lizzie Dearden @lizziedearden.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
It's one of those days where it's fine not to say anything at all
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
When I was doing constitution (including royal) policy in the Cabinet Office am pretty sure my team turned down a request to call a new cooker the “Princess Eugenie”
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
And a final photo now we have navigated our way down from the mountain
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
You know what I’m looking for
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Ooh ah a little bit more
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Ooh ah just a little bit
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Here we stop though, we’re not going to the top
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
And they’re not wrong, stunning if very sweaty view
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
We find ourselves caught up in a German tourist party, urging us higher up the mountain
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Solar tribute
Still from Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Alright, come on Majorca, let’s be having you
View of Majorca landscape, sun in background, eclipse glasses in foregroundPicture of sun through a dark lens
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Yes, good point
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
See also “Johnson”
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Struck by the v personalised way the govt is being discussed: “Andy Burnham has decided…”, “AB promised…”, “what will AB do on…” Not new, but more pronounced given Burnham’s style and media approach? Risky when the going gets tough. He might want to lay more on “the govt” & indiv cabinet ministers
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Interesting - with contribution from @drbenpaxton.bsky.social
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Fascinating. But good luck governing on that
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
If the Burnham govt wants a written constitution to entrench a new allocation of powers go for it if you dare It would open up every other procedural worm-can, energy-sapping constitutional and bad faith argument under the sun Just legislate. Keep a written constitution out of it is my advice
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Burnham’s devo announcements were important and - we think & hope - should improve UK govt But for the love of God let’s not confuse - legislation/direction to give powers to sub-national bodies - reallocation of tax and spend - a *written frigging constitution* www.ft.com/content/72e4...
ft.com
Burnham says devolution plan paves the way for a written UK constitution
Prime minister’s sweeping powers for local mayors could lead to ‘new principles’ for running England
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
There is an alternative
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
static.klipy.com
Frank Sinatra Looking Thoughtful - Memories Meme
ALT: Frank Sinatra Looking Thoughtful - Memories Meme
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
It’s easier to remember the (very rare) ones found, not the multitudes that don’t
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
heywoodquarterly.com/no-minister-...
heywoodquarterly.com
No, Minister: The long and lamentable shadow of Sir Humphrey - Heywood Quarterly
Alex Thomas explains the looming legacy that depictions of figures like Sir Humphrey and Malcolm Tucker have left.
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
And the lesson is - a strong PM with political authority can disincentivise leaks But nobody can stop them. And for a weaker PM they are just endless draining weather
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
‘Twas I who wrote and sent the letter from Jeremy Heywood that told everyone to stop leaking, that was of course leaked, that became the subject of a leak inquiry www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...
bbc.co.uk
Leak inquiry into leaking of letter warning about leaks
An investigation is under way into the leaking of a letter warning against leaks, No 10 says.
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