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Colin Perry

@colincperry.bsky.social
737 followers 1.2K following 354 posts

Former Senior Civil servant. Focus on government, business, and trade. And Lego. Trustee for Take A Moment

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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
#Dub essentials as suggested by The Black Dog open.spotify.com/playlist/2xv...
open.spotify.com
Ten Dub Essentials by The Black Dog
A dub compilation from a suggested list by The Black Dog
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Sunset #London
Orange sunset behind trees
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
open.spotify.com/album/6iu0tn... have a chilled weekend
open.spotify.com
In A Space Outta Soul - EP by Nightmares On Wax | Spotify
Nightmares On Wax · EP · 2026 · 2 songs
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
A reminder that for Northern Ireland the Brexit out workings remain live issues beyond the economic arrangements (Article 2 is the one about non-diminution of human rights).
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Yes, there’s a queue. Yes, you’re constantly exhorted to keep moving. And you can’t take photos. But so worth it. The drama of following the whole length is extraordinary. As is the art and creativity of the design and execution. #BayeuxTapestry
You can’t take photos, so here’s a picture of the British Museum cafe tray.
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Lovely afternoon in Cardiff. Some fab art at the Museum. But couldn’t get a football ticket.
Principality Stadium from the river Store’s Rock - Alfred SisleyTwo Oak Forms - David NashHelios - Luke Jerram
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
This is important stuff for all in the civil service. Reflects that lots in Civil Service and political class think things are in a poor place.Recommend reading the full report. Would encourage people to offer Alex and Hannah their views.
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
RIP William Orbit. From Guerrilla Records to Madonna to All Saints. Thanks for the wonderful music. open.spotify.com/playlist/2MJ...
open.spotify.com
William Orbit Productions and Remixes
Playlist · acidtedblog · 31 items · 1 saves
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Fascinating announcement and indicative of direction of travel. The financial elements are particularly interesting www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
Rewiring the State – Cabinet Statement (HTML)
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Reposted by Colin Perry
David Phinnemore @dphinnemore.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
House of Lords NI Scrutiny Committee is conducting an inquiry into Article 2 Windsor Framework. Oral evidence is still being taken. Written evidence has now been published. Includes, following UKSC 'Dillon' judgment, statement of UK government position. committees.parliament.uk/committee/76...
committees.parliament.uk
Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee - Written evidence - Committees - UK Parliament
Written evidence submission publications for Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee.
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
As Jill says, losing Benn is going to leave a tricky set of issues for the successor. NI needs careful and considered engagement by SoS.
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
If there’s a move away from success profiles this might make external applications for roles a bit easier.
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Brilliant thread on the byelection process
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
Buff-tailed bumblebee resting on yellow Yarrow
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Really interesting collection of facts. Worth knowing. Would add inflation since it impacts on costs over time. But doesn’t cover differences such as devolution (eg population of Eng included but not Scotland, Wa or NI and no ref to different legal systems) and gender (eg pay gap / life expectancy)
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Good to see action to remove iniquities in #CivilService pay. As IfG say “Current CS pay structures incentivise damaging behaviour.” “You start at the bottom and stay at the bottom.” Hard to see that the small amount involved (1% of the overall senior civil service pay bill) will shift the dial.
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Reposted by Colin Perry
Cath Haddon @cathhaddon.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
PSA: @samcoatessky.bsky.social on the pod this morning said a leadership contest would mean government would be restrained on decision making because gov would be 'effectively in government purdah and that principle that big government decisions go on hold'. That isn't accurate.
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Reposted by Colin Perry
Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Uk supreme Court judgment: Legacy Act concerning conflict in Northern Ireland does not breach Brexit withdrawal agreement supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-2...
supremecourt.uk
In the matter of an application by Martina Dillon, John McEvoy, Brigid Hughes and Lynda McManus for Judicial Review (Respondents) - UK Supreme Court
In summary, did the Court of Appeal err by holding that: (1) The trial judge at first instance was entitled to disapply provisions of the Legacy Act under Article 2(1) of the Windsor Framework (and t...
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Another contribution to the “Whitehall problem” issue. A right wing perspective I assume. But should still be interesting to see what emerges.
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
open.substack.com/pub/andrewgr... As someone who wasn’t a perm sec but did plenty of select committee appearances this resonates, especially abut incentives. But the latter part of wider civil service changes is interesting but I’m not sure quite gets a way out of where we are.
open.substack.com
The accountability act
What do we want senior people in public life to be good at?
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Really good piece on consequences for the civil service (and so Ministers and all of us) of the Robbins episode. Especially agree with two points…
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Reposted by Colin Perry
Diane Coyle @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
This will be a must-read: edconway.substack.com/p/why-ive-be...
edconway.substack.com
Why I've been a bit quiet recently...
I've been writing a book. It's out in September. I think you'll like it.
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
An interesting assessment of the ministers and civil servants interplay on the Mandelson affair. The depressing conclusion that it’s “one which strikes yet another blow to an already bruised relationship.” seems right.
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Agree with this take. All very curious
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Interesting analysis, if a bit generous in my view. But definitely worth a read by anyone interested in Government. But…
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Interesting article on UK-EU relations by someone steeped in Brexit. I was struck by “Trade negotiations are generally about testing red lines of each party... After 10 years the UK may finally be understanding the EU position, and now needs the political debate on its own long-term future...”
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
An interesting piece about secondary legislation from a Peer’s perspective. As a former civil servant I’d add that it’s largely a Cinderella function for civil servants. And understandably gets sidelined by considerations of primary legislation by ministers. Plumbing isn’t sexy (since Asquith).
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Good to see Cab Sec’s objectives. But they’re not SMART so hard to measure success. And reference to revising CS code is interesting
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Enjoy the blossom at #KewGardens
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
This is worth a read by civil servants and those interested in government. Having wrestled with ‘limited and specific’ previously this may be less abstract than people might want to think
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Fascinating to see numbers still rising given the number of exit schemes in place across the Civil Service
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
This is an important point about devolution, as well as the potential for‘boundary’ disputes to consume lots of energy without a clear process to manage.
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
Enjoying the blossom before the wind lays it waste. #blossom
White tree blossom in the sunshine White blossoms in the spring
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Good list from Alex to which I’d add alignment of incentives. The current system incentivises churn and not following through.
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
open.substack.com/pub/ukcivils... Another excellent blog on civil service reform. What he calls the “Chapter 10” problem we called “Admiring the problem”. Can’t fix civil service without addressing the Q of what politicians/government wants.
open.substack.com
Civil Service Reform: The Chapter 10 Problem
David French recently drew attention to what authors and editors sometimes call the ‘Chapter 10 problem’.
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Hyacinths #Spring
Pink hyacinthBlue hyacinthsYellow hyacinths
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Essential advice: “Civil servants who “speak truth to power” by telling ministers that their pet policy ideas are crazy and unworkable don’t get far… Being a good civil servant is about squaring the circle – analysis combined with persuasion, vision combined with realism.” @jdportes.bsky.social
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Spring sunshine #Blossom #London
White Crab apple blossom Mock cherry blossom Hawthorn blossom Profusion of violets
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
When they kick at your front door / How you gonna come? #Brixton #London #Mural
When they knock at your front door / How you gonna come? Graffiti 
Mural Brixton Unraveled head. Tulse HillNuclear Dawn mural
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Hardly @pickardje.bsky.social quality but a lovely dusk in Trafalgar Square
National Gallery from Trafalgar Square at dusk
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Recommended reading for anyone involved in public sector procurement
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
A good solid first message. I hope she can deliver on improving the civil service overall and avoid the pitfalls of her two predecessors
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
While we’re celebrating Larry’s 15 years in Downing Street and mourning the passing of Palmerston aka diplomog, here’s also remembering one of NIOs securocats
A cat sits looking unimpressed at a Lego minififure with a cup
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Reposted by Colin Perry
Justin Ng @justin-ng.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Also some of you may not have seen but Palmy aka diplomog has passed away in Bermuda. There's a video on x - screenshot below. Will miss him terribly. so many funny moments - from him being kicked out of no 10 (after sneaking in) and also Treasury as @treasurymog.bsky.social pointed out. RIP Palmy
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Nigel and his son Toby are cycling from Exeter to Blackpool to support Exeter City FC and the Adam Stansfield Foundation, honoring a beloved player and helping the community. Every donation, big or small, can make a real difference. Please consider contributing or sharing the link. Thank you
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
A reasonable assessment of where things are and what’s required. I hope potential candidates think about these questions and have answers. But wider civil service needs to also address the issues and deliver answers.
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
For civil servants and policy wonks. 40% reduction to be welcomed
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
open.substack.com/pub/samuelsh... this is a really interesting piece, which anyone working in a regulator ought to think about. I don’t agree with all of it but the basic proposition of how you balance safety and growth and what level of risk you’re prepared to tolerate are important.
open.substack.com
The radical idea of the government governing the UK (IOJGH7)
What the nation's regulators tell us about how power works here today
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
A fascinating piece for all civil servants. On regulation for me it’s about risk appetite and whether civil servants can spell out costs and consequences and whether politicians really have an appetite for risk. And ultimately prioritising is key. Focus on fewer things to get done than announcements
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Colin Perry @colincperry.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Today I’m aiming to do the #Superloop #London 1/n
Map of superloop buses round London
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