John Kell
@jmkpolicy.bsky.social
Transport policy in local government. Some local radio on the side. Personal views.
Reposted by John Kell
Precisely. We have an ageing society, a productivity problem & a crisis in local govt. The costs of defence & climate change are all growing, & we have a US president addicted to tariffs, who may be about to start a war in Venezuela.
The budget was *not pessimistic enough* about the public finances
The budget was *not pessimistic enough* about the public finances
Feel like I'm going mad. The Budget's 'headroom' is based on frankly irresponsible and wildly optimistic claims about what Labour will do in the final year of the forecast, and on ignoring a bunch of upward pressures on spending, and the claim is that she was being exaggeratedly *pessimistic*?
Suggestion Rachel Reeves exaggerated fiscal pressures is absurd
Chancellor was instead far too optimistic about public finances and government’s ability to secure cuts
www.ft.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Precisely. We have an ageing society, a productivity problem & a crisis in local govt. The costs of defence & climate change are all growing, & we have a US president addicted to tariffs, who may be about to start a war in Venezuela.
The budget was *not pessimistic enough* about the public finances
The budget was *not pessimistic enough* about the public finances
A capable government would eviscerate the BBC over this. Fortunately for the BBC...
This feels like a crossing of the Rubicon. It is not an unconsidered expression of opinion by one journalist in the heat of the moment but a planned editorialising by the BBC, a passing of judgement on the government.
It is a grave mistake.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It is a grave mistake.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Chris Mason: Why, in my judgement, Reeves was misleading on one specific point
The Chancellor chose not to share some information on tax receipts in an unusual press conference, given before the Budget.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 12:25 PM
A capable government would eviscerate the BBC over this. Fortunately for the BBC...
A persuasive piece that you perhaps don't quite realise is leading you to a blunt prediction of the fall of the Prime Minister within 12 months until you're suddenly there.
The second year of magical thinking: this evening's newsletter on the Budget:
Rachel Reeves doubles down on wishful thinking
A government that can’t make tough choices now is unlikely to do so on the eve of an election
www.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:45 PM
A persuasive piece that you perhaps don't quite realise is leading you to a blunt prediction of the fall of the Prime Minister within 12 months until you're suddenly there.
Good thread on how BPC rules prevent shady tactics like this from going undetected.
But... surely there must be civil service rules against perpetrating this sort of brazen duplicity in the first place?
(Only possible because of weak, lazy journalism / not asking the basics about polling, ofc.)
But... surely there must be civil service rules against perpetrating this sort of brazen duplicity in the first place?
(Only possible because of weak, lazy journalism / not asking the basics about polling, ofc.)
The Department of Health then appears to have only briefed the Times on the second question, claiming they had a poll showing doctors opposed the strike, when actually the poll showed 69% supported it, but might **hypothetically** change their mind if offered a deal.
November 21, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Good thread on how BPC rules prevent shady tactics like this from going undetected.
But... surely there must be civil service rules against perpetrating this sort of brazen duplicity in the first place?
(Only possible because of weak, lazy journalism / not asking the basics about polling, ofc.)
But... surely there must be civil service rules against perpetrating this sort of brazen duplicity in the first place?
(Only possible because of weak, lazy journalism / not asking the basics about polling, ofc.)
Reposted by John Kell
Profumo had much less on his conscience in the greater scheme of things, but his response to being caught in a catastrophic error of judgement and ethics should be more widely imitated.
I’m not sure how I would deal with being found to have been responsible for 23k deaths, but I think it would likely involve removing myself from public life and finding some way to help save lives.
November 21, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Profumo had much less on his conscience in the greater scheme of things, but his response to being caught in a catastrophic error of judgement and ethics should be more widely imitated.
Reposted by John Kell
The grotesque spectacle of a Labour government — a Labour government! — promoting the idea of stealing from refugees to appease the far right
November 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The grotesque spectacle of a Labour government — a Labour government! — promoting the idea of stealing from refugees to appease the far right
Hypothesis: people would be more actively attracted to travelling by bus if the windows didn't mist up so readily.
November 14, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Hypothesis: people would be more actively attracted to travelling by bus if the windows didn't mist up so readily.
True.
The BBC's consistently low quality broadcast reporting is a core factor though. The partisan doesn't care, or often realise, that the other side's case has been presented just as poorly as their own. To the partisan, poor reporting simply looks like bias.
The BBC's consistently low quality broadcast reporting is a core factor though. The partisan doesn't care, or often realise, that the other side's case has been presented just as poorly as their own. To the partisan, poor reporting simply looks like bias.
The BBC's senior leadership resigning en masse over one dodgy edit in one programme, simply because the right wing press demands it, tells you everything you need to know about where the power really lies in that relationship
November 10, 2025 at 9:40 AM
True.
The BBC's consistently low quality broadcast reporting is a core factor though. The partisan doesn't care, or often realise, that the other side's case has been presented just as poorly as their own. To the partisan, poor reporting simply looks like bias.
The BBC's consistently low quality broadcast reporting is a core factor though. The partisan doesn't care, or often realise, that the other side's case has been presented just as poorly as their own. To the partisan, poor reporting simply looks like bias.
After two and a half years in local government, I'm finding @freewheeling.info's Bitesize today certainly strikes a chord. freewheelingbitesize.substack.com/p/being-aske...
Being asked to chase money can detract from using it well
In the few years around 2020, Cornwall spent £650,000 on consultants to write funding bids.
freewheelingbitesize.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:37 AM
After two and a half years in local government, I'm finding @freewheeling.info's Bitesize today certainly strikes a chord. freewheelingbitesize.substack.com/p/being-aske...
When Harry said the royal family exists by means of a pact with the tabloids he knew what he was talking about, didn't he?
October 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
When Harry said the royal family exists by means of a pact with the tabloids he knew what he was talking about, didn't he?
Amazing that this entire mathematical problem is framed by nomenclature derived from Prince Rupert - yes, the Civil War Prince Rupert.
In important math news: new shape just dropped (the noperthedron) www.quantamagazine.org/first-shape-...
First Shape Found That Can’t Pass Through Itself | Quanta Magazine
After more than three centuries, a geometry problem that originated with a royal bet has been solved.
www.quantamagazine.org
October 24, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Amazing that this entire mathematical problem is framed by nomenclature derived from Prince Rupert - yes, the Civil War Prince Rupert.
Having worked in business lobbying 15-20 years ago when times were good, I can't help but think government has long become accustomed to business interests as groups who constantly whinge and moan whatever HMG does, and however much profit they're making.
Judged by the last decade, British corporate lobbyists are the least effective in the rich world.
economist.com/britain/2025...
economist.com/britain/2025...
October 23, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Having worked in business lobbying 15-20 years ago when times were good, I can't help but think government has long become accustomed to business interests as groups who constantly whinge and moan whatever HMG does, and however much profit they're making.
Rather startling policy shift since the change of government.
NEWS: Analysis carried out by the @news.architectsjournal.co.uk using FOI shows that 80% of the instances of DCMS ministers rejecting advice from Historic England to list historic buildings over the past 5 years, have taken place in the last 12 months under Labour.
➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/44698
➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/44698
October 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Rather startling policy shift since the change of government.
Reposted by John Kell
Have had this thought and tbh I also don’t like it, am I being awkward there? It’s a kinda student politics posey vibe and these are not those times. I’m much happier to be anti-fascist.
I think we really should stop using antifa and just fully say anti-fascist and get them saying they are against anti fascism. Using antifa is giving them some distance and I genuinely think some of their base don’t even know that’s what it stands for.
October 12, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Have had this thought and tbh I also don’t like it, am I being awkward there? It’s a kinda student politics posey vibe and these are not those times. I’m much happier to be anti-fascist.
Presumably it was this post, and my one a month or so ago about Sarah Ezekiel having her voice restored, that got me added overnight to an "AI goobers & glazers" block list. What a villain I obviously am.
October 2, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Presumably it was this post, and my one a month or so ago about Sarah Ezekiel having her voice restored, that got me added overnight to an "AI goobers & glazers" block list. What a villain I obviously am.
Reposted by John Kell
That's not to say there's nothing the government could do to improve the welfare system. But the idea that costs are "out of control" compared to the past is wrong and leads to misdiagnosis.
September 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM
That's not to say there's nothing the government could do to improve the welfare system. But the idea that costs are "out of control" compared to the past is wrong and leads to misdiagnosis.
Reposted by John Kell
im hearing he was a disturbed person with functionally illegible politics
not an iron law or anything but basically every assassination attempt on a political figure over the last 20 years has turned out to be driven by a disturbed person with functionally illegible politics
September 12, 2025 at 3:21 PM
im hearing he was a disturbed person with functionally illegible politics
Hadn't realised it, but the omission I highlighted from Rayner's initial statement was crucial. It was the fact that she relied on advice that fell short of being appropriately specialist tax advice, and came with clear warnings to that effect, that has felled her.
A missing element that I would have thought she might include: a formal complaint to the relevant professional body against whoever advised her incorrctly. Doesn't seem unreasonable given the seriousness of the consequences, and would reinforce the message that she was relying on advice.
Full statement from Rayner on underpaying stamp duty. She's not resigned yet but clearly now possible.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
September 5, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Hadn't realised it, but the omission I highlighted from Rayner's initial statement was crucial. It was the fact that she relied on advice that fell short of being appropriately specialist tax advice, and came with clear warnings to that effect, that has felled her.
A missing element that I would have thought she might include: a formal complaint to the relevant professional body against whoever advised her incorrctly. Doesn't seem unreasonable given the seriousness of the consequences, and would reinforce the message that she was relying on advice.
Full statement from Rayner on underpaying stamp duty. She's not resigned yet but clearly now possible.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Angela Rayner’s full statement on her stamp duty underpayment
Deputy PM reveals details of family situation and discusses legal advice she says she received over purchase of Hove flat
www.theguardian.com
September 3, 2025 at 10:50 AM
A missing element that I would have thought she might include: a formal complaint to the relevant professional body against whoever advised her incorrctly. Doesn't seem unreasonable given the seriousness of the consequences, and would reinforce the message that she was relying on advice.
12 days too late:
*tale
*tale
Sarah was a prominent volunteer throughout my time at the MND Association; I found this a touching and delightful story to start the day with. And another cautionary tail about knee-jerking at the slightest mention of AI. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How eight seconds of scratchy audio from a VHS tape gave a mum back her voice
Sarah Ezekiel was 34 with two children when motor neurone disease took away her ability to speak.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 1, 2025 at 12:29 PM
12 days too late:
*tale
*tale
Once again it baffles me how Policy Exchange get a pass, as if they're some sort of respectable think tank. They're funded by dark money and trying to break up the country by spreading obvious lies.
The Times: Leaving the ECHR ‘not a threat to Ulster peace’ #TomorrowsPapersToday
September 1, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Once again it baffles me how Policy Exchange get a pass, as if they're some sort of respectable think tank. They're funded by dark money and trying to break up the country by spreading obvious lies.
Today's case study in rubbish campaigning underpinned by poor policy analysis: the radio industry in Australia, making unrealistic demands that don't take account of real-world developments. james.cridland.net/blog/2025/in...
Calls for legislation to protect Aussie radio, and BBC adds catch-up
But would it be better to work with others?
james.cridland.net
August 26, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Today's case study in rubbish campaigning underpinned by poor policy analysis: the radio industry in Australia, making unrealistic demands that don't take account of real-world developments. james.cridland.net/blog/2025/in...
Sarah was a prominent volunteer throughout my time at the MND Association; I found this a touching and delightful story to start the day with. And another cautionary tail about knee-jerking at the slightest mention of AI. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How eight seconds of scratchy audio from a VHS tape gave a mum back her voice
Sarah Ezekiel was 34 with two children when motor neurone disease took away her ability to speak.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 20, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Sarah was a prominent volunteer throughout my time at the MND Association; I found this a touching and delightful story to start the day with. And another cautionary tail about knee-jerking at the slightest mention of AI. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Bookmark this thread. It could well (unfortunately) be useful to refer back to it in future.
Let me give you a list of Reform UK promises and the diametrically opposite reality they will lead to if implemented. (1/?)
August 18, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Bookmark this thread. It could well (unfortunately) be useful to refer back to it in future.
When I wrote about the dangers of crying wolf, stories about looming fish and chip shop closures were the case study I used. I see they've resurfaced again today. I've no doubt times are tough, but 1 in 3 shops didn't close back in 2022 and I doubt half (as claimed by the Guardian) face closure now.
Enjoyed this both for the analysis of the policy impact and for the case study of terrible campaigning. They made mistake #4 from my 'five policy pitfalls' article back on Policy for Campaigns, and sundry campaigning blunders on top of it... policyforcampaigns.substack.com/p/policy-pul...
August 15, 2025 at 8:03 AM
When I wrote about the dangers of crying wolf, stories about looming fish and chip shop closures were the case study I used. I see they've resurfaced again today. I've no doubt times are tough, but 1 in 3 shops didn't close back in 2022 and I doubt half (as claimed by the Guardian) face closure now.