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Phil Swann

@swannphil.bsky.social
528 followers 714 following 217 posts

Studying for a PhD at INLOGOV on politicians and central local government relations. Previously worked as a consultant and at the LGA

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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Indeed!
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Very unseasonal!
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Prof Colin Talbot (and the late Rory) @colintalbot.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Another small chapter to my life. This should be fun. www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profil...
birmingham.ac.uk
Colin Talbot
Professor Talbot has extensive experience as both a practitioner and academic. He started work in 1969 and formally retired from in 2017. He remains actively engaged with a variety of social issues.
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Torsten Bell @torstenbell.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
These are thugs being thugs, not legitimate protests
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INLOGOV @inlogov.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
THE PARTICIPATORY PARTY Reflecting on our new policy paper, The Participatory Council by @sbussu.bsky.social, Phil Swann argues that political parties must also be engaged in participatory processes. inlogov.com/2026/07/21/t...
inlogov.com
The Participatory Party
Phil Swann The urgency of Sonia Busso’s call for councils to develop participatory governance arrangements is evident in her recent INLOGOV policy paper[1], The Participatory Council. Bussu recogni…
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
So it took me almost as long to read the stories about the meeting between Starmer and Streeting in this morning’s papers than the meeting g itself lasted!
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 10/04/2026
Labour’s school improvement missions need more than a London Challenge revival. The success of place-based school improvement depends on learning the right lessons from past reforms. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
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Joshua Foust 🪖🎮 @joshuafoust.com · 03/04/2026
“They’re destroying more than fifty research facilities across thirty-one states, labs that house decades of irreplaceable long-term science…And they’re replacing all of it — the offices, the scientists, the institutional knowledge, the professional independence — with fifteen political appointees”
hatchmag.com
Trump administration orders dismantling of the U.S. Forest Service
Late Tuesday afternoon, with the subtlety of a wrecking ball and the morality of a foreclosure notice, the Trump administration announced the most devastating attack on the U.S. Forest Service in the ...
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PSA Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group @psalocalpol.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Our first panel is on 'Representation, responsiveness and participation' With papers from: @swannphil.bsky.social Ersi Cha Jianyu Hao Jiasi Zhou Chair: @jacknewman.bsky.social 📆 Mon 30th March 1.30pm St Catz Riverside Seminar Room A
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Am looking forward to presenting early findings from my PhD on politicians and central-local government relations at #PSA26 next week. Focussing on the extent to which politicians deploy political capital to strengthen local govt. @psalocalpol.bsky.social
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INLOGOV @inlogov.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
NALC invites parish and town councillors to shape the future of the 21st-century councillor www.nalc.gov.uk/resource/nal...
nalc.gov.uk
NALC invites parish and town councillors to shape the future of the 21st-century councillor
We are calling on parish and town councillors to take part in a major national event examining what it means to be a 21st-century councillor
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
In the light of the appalling recent developments this begins to make sense. I always challenge conspiracy theories but….. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-nort....
bbc.co.uk
Irish state papers: How Prince Andrew 'smoothed over' Lord Mandelson's gaffe
The newly-released Irish state papers chart the Good Friday Agreement and the Patten Report.
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
The first sentence of this statement is really interesting. McSweeney says he is resigning from the government. But he was not a member of the government: he was an adviser to it, albeit an important one. The govt comprises the cabinet and other ministers. Says it all? www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...
bbc.co.uk
Morgan McSweeney quits as PM's chief of staff following Mandelson scandal
McSweeney says he takes
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
An interesting reminder in this piece that John Smith had nothing to do with Mandelson while he was leader of the Labour Party. The fall of Peter Mandelson and the many questions the UK government must now answer theconversation.com/the-fall-of-...
theconversation.com
The fall of Peter Mandelson and the many questions the UK government must now answer
In the space of a few hours, Mandelson’s future has now shifted from the certainty of ignominy to the possibility of prison.
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Stepping Up…some historical reflections on the implications for central-local government relations of Andy Burnham’s bid to stand for Parliament. www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...
lgcplus.com
Burnham’s ambitions follow 150-year trend
There has long been a perception of local government as a stepping stone or training ground for national office, writes Phil Swann, a PhD student at Inlogov at the University of Birmingham.
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Spot on…. Words matter! giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Carney, Trump and the power of a good speech
giftarticle.ft.com
Carney, Trump and the power of a good speech
Leaders don’t need to write every word themselves, but they do need to make sure it clearly represents their vision
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
Spot on: giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... The plot against London
giftarticle.ft.com
The plot against London
Distorted attacks by the populist right are really about demography
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
Good to see my friend and former colleague Lee Shostak criticising the ambition of the government’s new towns programme. Key figures in creation of Milton Keynes criticise England’s new towns plan www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Key figures in creation of Milton Keynes criticise England’s new towns plan
Exclusive: Planners behind postwar new towns hit out at government over lack of ambition and commitment to social housing
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 02/12/2025
The Covid Inquiry has missed vital lessons on how to make better decisions We have not learnt much that is new from the inquiry’s Module Two report, say @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/covi...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
The Covid Inquiry has missed vital lessons on how to make better decisions | Institute for Government
We have not learnt much that is new from the inquiry’s Module Two report.
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Interesting (and depressing?) that the status of the government’s mission boards is now unclear.
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Absolutely…..
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MargaretH @margaretj.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
theguardian.com
The deadliest wait: five women on death row
Up to 1,000 women globally await execution in prison, with mitigating factors such as child abuse and coercion ignored
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Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
"Sir Keir told the BBC: 'Every minute that is spent talking about anything other than cost-of-living is a wasted minute in my book.'" OK, so why does his government keep banging on about immigration? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Judge me at next election, Keir Starmer tells doubters
The PM tells the BBC he has made
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Not just in Cambridge. Lack of scrutiny is bad for local government and politics.
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PoliticsHome @politicshome.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Reform has lost over 5% of councillors it had elected six months ago A @matildamartin.bsky.social deep dive into the councils won by Farage's party in May found what a local government expert called "unusual" levels of churn Exclusions, suspensions and resignations have taken place nationwide
politicshome.com
Reform Is Losing Councillors Elected In May At An 'Unusual' Rate
Reform UK has lost more than 5 per cent of the councillors it had elected six months ago, an analysis by PoliticsHome has found.
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Absolutely…but ministers have to make a start….
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
I can’t disagree with that, but so many failures now are due to fundamentally broken systems making operational failure more likely. Hence my comment.
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
In an earlier era the minister responsible would have resigned. A return to that principle may force ministers to fix our broken systems.
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Sad to see that Rob Lane has died. I can remember working with him when I led on transport stuff at the AMA in the 1980s. Rob Lane obituary www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Rob Lane obituary
Other lives: GLC director of highways and transport who hoped to curb car use and promote public services
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
A great choice…. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Riba Stirling Prize 2025: Appleby Blue Almshouse named Britain's best new building
Appleby Blue Almshouse in London wins the Royal Institute of British Architects' Stirling Prize.
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David Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
This is a grim read. I stick to my view that the wilful blindness of the government to the financial crisis in local government will cost them their majority at the next election. Why not roll the dice for change when the local public realm is falling apart? www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
English councils to remain poorer than in 2010 despite funding rise, says report
Exclusive: Impact of austerity cannot be undone by end of parliament despite above-inflation funding, analysis finds
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
A piece of myth-busting essential reading…. on.ft.com/48sdQoR No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
on.ft.com
No need for a moral panic about the welfare system
It’s far from perfect, but the UK’s spending is broadly controlled and employment is high
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The Past and other Places @pastandotherplaces.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
Jean Payton Reid, architect and town planner (1917-97). Liberton Kirkyard, Edinburgh. Thought to have been Scotland's first female town planner. Family monument - pink granite obelisk. #31DaysOfGraves day 12 notable women. #herstory thepastandotherplaces.wordpress.com/2023/01/14/a...
Greek-style tall pointed obelisk in polished pink granite standing in a kirkyard. Most of the other gravestones are smaller and grey.  The tower of the Kirk is prominent in the background.  There are green shrubs and several bare-branched trees in the background.
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
Love this street name in Montréal…made even nicer by the fact it crosses a street named after JFK.
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
Some wise words from Andrew Marr in this week’s New Statesman magazine.newstatesman.com/2025/09/24/t...
magazine.newstatesman.com
The supreme folly of a Labour civil war
A leadership battle could hand No 10 to Nigel Farage
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History of Parliament @histparl.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
Born #OTD 1665, John Hervey, 1st earl of Bristol. MP for Bury St. Edmunds for nine years, he was described as "preferring the environment of home or the race course" to Westminster in #HistParl's Commons 1690-1715 volumes. Read his full biography here: ow.ly/LwTI50T35kK
A half length portrait painting of a man in front of a dark brown background. He is wearing a lighter brown jacket with a white frilled collar shirt underneath. He is wearing a long grey wig.
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
And the future of local government hinges on fundamentally reforming its financial systems!
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
Absolutely outrageous!
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Steve Chambers @planningtransport.co.uk · 11/07/2025
Car culture is insanity. Dad is 82, has stopped driving and sold the car. Last bit of admin was to cancel the AA. They tied to convince him he should continue driving. 🙃
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
This is a stunning exhibition. A must see! www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhi...
npg.org.uk
Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting - National Portrait Gallery
The first major museum exhibition dedicated to the work of one of the UK’s leading contemporary artists, Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting will bring together 50 works made throughout Saville’s e...
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
Reform suspended one of the Kent County Councillors who was elected for the party in May, after 3 charges, including threatening to kill his wife + coercive behaviour. He denies the charges, and is now an independent councillor while the case + trial proceeds www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/...
kentonline.co.uk
Suspended Reform councillor appears in court over ‘threats to kill wife’
A councillor suspended by Reform UK has appeared in court accused of making threats to kill his wife.
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Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
“It is estimated that there are around 7 million to 8 million people not correctly registered or missing from the registers entirely. This is not many less than the 9.7 million people whose votes gave the government a landslide majority.”
theconversation.com
Low turnout and an unfair voting system: UK elections ranked in the bottom half of countries in Europe
British voters are moving away from the two-party system, but their electoral system hasn’t kept up.
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INLOGOV @inlogov.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
@swannphil.bsky.social‬ examines what happened to Missions in the spending review? inlogov.com/2025/06/26/t...
inlogov.com
The Treasury’s Long Shadow: Why Local Government Needs Its Own Barber
Philip Swann The extent to which the Blair government’s delivery unit became the focus of tension between No 10 and the Treasury is a key theme in Michelle Clement’s fascinating history[1] of the u…
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
No10 has issued odd internal guidance banning officials speaking at public events It means more closed govt & worse policy decisions-the opposite of what ministers say they want From @drhannahwhite.bsky.social & me @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
The government should not ban public servants from speaking in public | Institute for Government
New guidance will damage the quality of government and public discourse.
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
What lessons are there from Blair’s delivery unit for the current government’s missions? Some thoughts in my INLOGOV blog inlogov.com
inlogov.com
INLOGOV Blog
The Institute of Local Government Studies, University of Birmingham
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Nick Davies @njdavies.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Great write up of @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social’s new report which shows local authorities have been forced to ration access to publicly funded care. This has created a damaging geographical and demographic ‘care gap’ Full report here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Adult social care across England | Institute for Government
Examining the care gap in England.
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Heloise Dunlop @hcdunlop.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
@alexgathomas.bsky.social and I take a look into Georgia Gould's announcements last week and ask the question: what does this mean for the government's missions?
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
A worrying populist dimension to the already challenging central-local government relations. Well worth reading From LA to Paris, the populist right hates cities – and it’s fuelled by a sense of bitter defeat | Andy Beckett www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
From LA to Paris, the populist right hates cities – and it’s fuelled by a sense of bitter defeat | Andy Beckett
LA was once a conservative stronghold; now the military is occupying it. Liberal cities have become targets for politicians looking to stir up their voters elsewhere, says Guardian columnist Andy Beck...
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Phil Swann @swannphil.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
Yes, yes, yes! on.ft.com/4486HpF Healthcare policy is afflicted by short-sightedness
on.ft.com
Healthcare policy is afflicted by short-sightedness
With the NHS in triage mode, business and society need to shift to prevention of ill health
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David Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
…. it would be interesting to know if ministers did actually look at the lessons from the experience of the GOs, and why think this things will be different this time around www.local-government.org.uk/library/2020...
local-government.org.uk
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