Polly Mackenzie
@pollymackenzie.bsky.social
Co-founder and CEO, Zinc Innovation Partners - helping turn science into real-world change. Fomerly Demos, UAL, MMHPI, No10. Adviser at Future Governance Forum, Family Business UK, Door10 Recruitment. Writes at https://howtorunacountry.substack.com/
Pinned
Iconoplastic - a made up word for an important idea
Making change survivable for the people who lead it
howtorunacountry.substack.com
Policy people tend to propose a new way of doing things and critically underestimate how much work it will be to switch from A to B.
If we want more and better change - we need to make the job of changemaker less bloody exhausing.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/iconoplast...
If we want more and better change - we need to make the job of changemaker less bloody exhausing.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/iconoplast...
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
Rachel Reeves just thanked Joe Powell in the budget for his representations on high street tax evasion and pledged more resources to track down "fraudulent business owners who vanish without paying their taxes". This is one of the issues Joe raised with the chancellor.
What's up with the Harry Potter shops in central London?
London Centric's investigation into their finances was raised in the House of Commons by Kensington and Bayswater Labour MP Joe Powell. He asked ministers what it will take to get HMRC officials to check the shops are paying their taxes.
London Centric's investigation into their finances was raised in the House of Commons by Kensington and Bayswater Labour MP Joe Powell. He asked ministers what it will take to get HMRC officials to check the shops are paying their taxes.
November 26, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Rachel Reeves just thanked Joe Powell in the budget for his representations on high street tax evasion and pledged more resources to track down "fraudulent business owners who vanish without paying their taxes". This is one of the issues Joe raised with the chancellor.
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
'The levy could leave institutions worse off, harming teaching, research and the economy as the sector faces financial strain, experts say'
@viviennestern.bsky.social on the knock-on effect of the international student levy on the economy:
https://loom.ly/6wCnQhc
@viviennestern.bsky.social on the knock-on effect of the international student levy on the economy:
https://loom.ly/6wCnQhc
International student tax will backfire, warns universities chief
The levy could leave institutions worse off, harming teaching, research and the economy as the sector faces financial strain, experts say
www.thetimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:28 AM
'The levy could leave institutions worse off, harming teaching, research and the economy as the sector faces financial strain, experts say'
@viviennestern.bsky.social on the knock-on effect of the international student levy on the economy:
https://loom.ly/6wCnQhc
@viviennestern.bsky.social on the knock-on effect of the international student levy on the economy:
https://loom.ly/6wCnQhc
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
The map on the left shades constituencies by % of top council tax band properties (Band H in England, Band H and I in Wales)
The map on the right shades by median house prices.
Very different maps. That's the problem with council tax.
The map on the right shades by median house prices.
Very different maps. That's the problem with council tax.
November 25, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The map on the left shades constituencies by % of top council tax band properties (Band H in England, Band H and I in Wales)
The map on the right shades by median house prices.
Very different maps. That's the problem with council tax.
The map on the right shades by median house prices.
Very different maps. That's the problem with council tax.
You’ve been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who’s coming to save you?
Uh-oh.
Uh-oh.
November 25, 2025 at 7:43 PM
You’ve been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who’s coming to save you?
Uh-oh.
Uh-oh.
One of the big mistakes the left made was branding tax credits as corporate welfare.
You need cash transfers as well as a minimum wage because different people have different financial needs.
A minimum wage high enough to support three kids and a disabled spouse is not a sensible minimum wage.
You need cash transfers as well as a minimum wage because different people have different financial needs.
A minimum wage high enough to support three kids and a disabled spouse is not a sensible minimum wage.
This is another thing I had to cut from my piece - the minimum wage is best understood as an anti-poverty measure *for single or childless couples at the start of their working lives*. But it's not a lever that helps most people struggling to make ends meet. Only cash transfers do that.
Why the two-child limit has to go, in a chart.
November 25, 2025 at 7:34 PM
One of the big mistakes the left made was branding tax credits as corporate welfare.
You need cash transfers as well as a minimum wage because different people have different financial needs.
A minimum wage high enough to support three kids and a disabled spouse is not a sensible minimum wage.
You need cash transfers as well as a minimum wage because different people have different financial needs.
A minimum wage high enough to support three kids and a disabled spouse is not a sensible minimum wage.
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
beginning to believe I would actually vote for a dead pigeon on a stick if it just promised to restore the fuel duty escalator
November 25, 2025 at 4:40 PM
beginning to believe I would actually vote for a dead pigeon on a stick if it just promised to restore the fuel duty escalator
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
Fifteen Years
xkcd.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
i’m not crying you’re crying
xkcd: Fifteen Years
xkcd: Fifteen Years
Plug sockets in the sofas at DSIT. Cutting edge technology commitment clearly runs deep.
November 24, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Plug sockets in the sofas at DSIT. Cutting edge technology commitment clearly runs deep.
Yes but it’s complicated.
The problem comes from having a campaigner in charge.
Lib Dem campaigners hated being in coalition because being in opposition is way easier for leaflets etc.
I think this government hates being in charge, for the same reason.
The problem comes from having a campaigner in charge.
Lib Dem campaigners hated being in coalition because being in opposition is way easier for leaflets etc.
I think this government hates being in charge, for the same reason.
It's funny how much they talk like the Liberal Democrats in coalition, except instead of 'negotiating with the senior partner in a coalition', the coalition partner is 'the campaign people refuse to let go of the wheel or to sign off anything suggesting their campaign was anything but perfect'.
Absolutely. The improved forecasts is insane because it's banking inflationary increases in revenue that will surely provoke inflationary increases in spending (particular public sector pay).
This BTW is a work of art. Exactly the type of attitude that has got Labour into this mess.
This BTW is a work of art. Exactly the type of attitude that has got Labour into this mess.
November 22, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Yes but it’s complicated.
The problem comes from having a campaigner in charge.
Lib Dem campaigners hated being in coalition because being in opposition is way easier for leaflets etc.
I think this government hates being in charge, for the same reason.
The problem comes from having a campaigner in charge.
Lib Dem campaigners hated being in coalition because being in opposition is way easier for leaflets etc.
I think this government hates being in charge, for the same reason.
Strictly + Parliament and you’ve got a policy I can get behind
Good day for “relocate institutions to spread economic growth” discourse…
… because it’s “why not just move Strictly to Blackpool permanently?” day
… because it’s “why not just move Strictly to Blackpool permanently?” day
November 22, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Strictly + Parliament and you’ve got a policy I can get behind
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
This week on Wonkhe: Ben Tatler, Paul Manners, Sean Sapcariu, and Ben Bleasdale, argue that public support for research is dependent on making it more relatable, trustworthy, and visible in everyday life
Transparency, collaboration and culture are key to winning public trust in research
Ben Tatler, Paul Manners, Sean Sapcariu and Ben Bleasdale argue that public support for research is dependent on making it more relatable, trustworthy, and visible in everyday life
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
This week on Wonkhe: Ben Tatler, Paul Manners, Sean Sapcariu, and Ben Bleasdale, argue that public support for research is dependent on making it more relatable, trustworthy, and visible in everyday life
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
For people who leave their nerdy public sector reform long-reads to the weeekend… 👇👀
Are legacy mentalities from comms, political strategy and trad policy dragging government down?
Are legacy mentalities from comms, political strategy and trad policy dragging government down?
Are a small number of legacy disciplines dragging the whole of government down? A provocation:
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
Government seems increasingly unable to cope with the pace and complexity of today's world. Why? 1/n
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
Government seems increasingly unable to cope with the pace and complexity of today's world. Why? 1/n
The disciplines theory of government
Are legacy disciplines dragging the whole operation down?
medium.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:10 AM
For people who leave their nerdy public sector reform long-reads to the weeekend… 👇👀
Are legacy mentalities from comms, political strategy and trad policy dragging government down?
Are legacy mentalities from comms, political strategy and trad policy dragging government down?
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
Superb here from @pollymackenzie.bsky.social on finding a joyful approach to change - bridging the gap between the day-to-day and the radical change necessary to bring the UK up to date. Many lessons for realists and dreamers in the democracy space too. howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/iconoplast...
Iconoplastic - a made up word for an important idea
Making change survivable for the people who lead it
howtorunacountry.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Superb here from @pollymackenzie.bsky.social on finding a joyful approach to change - bridging the gap between the day-to-day and the radical change necessary to bring the UK up to date. Many lessons for realists and dreamers in the democracy space too. howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/iconoplast...
Policy people tend to propose a new way of doing things and critically underestimate how much work it will be to switch from A to B.
If we want more and better change - we need to make the job of changemaker less bloody exhausing.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/iconoplast...
If we want more and better change - we need to make the job of changemaker less bloody exhausing.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/iconoplast...
Iconoplastic - a made up word for an important idea
Making change survivable for the people who lead it
howtorunacountry.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Policy people tend to propose a new way of doing things and critically underestimate how much work it will be to switch from A to B.
If we want more and better change - we need to make the job of changemaker less bloody exhausing.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/iconoplast...
If we want more and better change - we need to make the job of changemaker less bloody exhausing.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/iconoplast...
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
What can No 10 learn from My Little Pony?
A lot, it turns out - you need Applejacks, Raritys, Fluttershys, Rainbow Dashes & Twilight Sparkles as well as Pinkie Pies...
Great blog by @pollymackenzie.bsky.social on @futuregovforum.bsky.social substack:
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/friendship...
A lot, it turns out - you need Applejacks, Raritys, Fluttershys, Rainbow Dashes & Twilight Sparkles as well as Pinkie Pies...
Great blog by @pollymackenzie.bsky.social on @futuregovforum.bsky.social substack:
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/friendship...
Friendship is magic.
Lessons for No10 from the My Little Ponyverse
futuregovforum.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:42 PM
What can No 10 learn from My Little Pony?
A lot, it turns out - you need Applejacks, Raritys, Fluttershys, Rainbow Dashes & Twilight Sparkles as well as Pinkie Pies...
Great blog by @pollymackenzie.bsky.social on @futuregovforum.bsky.social substack:
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/friendship...
A lot, it turns out - you need Applejacks, Raritys, Fluttershys, Rainbow Dashes & Twilight Sparkles as well as Pinkie Pies...
Great blog by @pollymackenzie.bsky.social on @futuregovforum.bsky.social substack:
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/friendship...
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
"It would mean more people could benefit from those frequent Central Line services. It is exactly what I hoped this Labour government might do.
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
The Weekly Howl
The British government just did something I agree with, and it feels almost gross to mention it. Also: who invented the week? And some Beeching-themed maps.
jonn.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:41 AM
"It would mean more people could benefit from those frequent Central Line services. It is exactly what I hoped this Labour government might do.
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
🔔 New post 🔔 Ok, this was a bit of a 'take a deep breath' moment! - I'm intrigued about how much pushback I'll get.
The disiciplines theory of government
Are a small number of legacy disciplines dragging the whole operation down?
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
The disiciplines theory of government
Are a small number of legacy disciplines dragging the whole operation down?
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
The disciplines theory of government
Are legacy disciplines dragging the whole operation down?
medium.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:46 AM
🔔 New post 🔔 Ok, this was a bit of a 'take a deep breath' moment! - I'm intrigued about how much pushback I'll get.
The disiciplines theory of government
Are a small number of legacy disciplines dragging the whole operation down?
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
The disiciplines theory of government
Are a small number of legacy disciplines dragging the whole operation down?
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
No storage at secondary school - is this normal?
My son has lost two coats already because there’s nowhere to keep it. Lots of kids won’t wear a coat because it’s too much hassle to carry all day.
His backpack has fallen apart from carrying all books and PE kit and lunch and water all day.
My son has lost two coats already because there’s nowhere to keep it. Lots of kids won’t wear a coat because it’s too much hassle to carry all day.
His backpack has fallen apart from carrying all books and PE kit and lunch and water all day.
November 18, 2025 at 8:35 AM
No storage at secondary school - is this normal?
My son has lost two coats already because there’s nowhere to keep it. Lots of kids won’t wear a coat because it’s too much hassle to carry all day.
His backpack has fallen apart from carrying all books and PE kit and lunch and water all day.
My son has lost two coats already because there’s nowhere to keep it. Lots of kids won’t wear a coat because it’s too much hassle to carry all day.
His backpack has fallen apart from carrying all books and PE kit and lunch and water all day.
🤯
Niche uni innovation tweet: just heard one of the daftest tech transfer terms - university gets a payment when the spin out gets investment. Not first sale or first profit. First & subsequent investments!
If I was an investor and read that I'd just walk out & never return. Or ask if it's a typo
If I was an investor and read that I'd just walk out & never return. Or ask if it's a typo
November 15, 2025 at 7:38 AM
🤯
He should do this to the tune of Bring Him Home from Les Mis.
If you’re dying anyway: save the next generation.
If you’re dying anyway: save the next generation.
Everything they do should be about what best sets up whichever fresh-faced MP becomes the leader in January 2029 to go 'I'm new! Inflation is down, interest rates are down, bin collections are weekly, GP appointments are up and the police catch criminals again!'
November 15, 2025 at 7:33 AM
He should do this to the tune of Bring Him Home from Les Mis.
If you’re dying anyway: save the next generation.
If you’re dying anyway: save the next generation.
I am so *baffled* and *irritated* about the way No10 is so incapable of getting its basic operational house in order that I couldn't write anything serious this morning. So I wrote this instead.
Does the answer to No10's woes come from the Ponyverse?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/friendship...
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/friendship...
Friendship is magic.
Lessons for No10 from the My Little Ponyverse
howtorunacountry.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:53 PM
I am so *baffled* and *irritated* about the way No10 is so incapable of getting its basic operational house in order that I couldn't write anything serious this morning. So I wrote this instead.
Does the answer to No10's woes come from the Ponyverse?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/friendship...
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/friendship...
Friendship is magic.
Lessons for No10 from the My Little Ponyverse
howtorunacountry.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Does the answer to No10's woes come from the Ponyverse?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/friendship...
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/friendship...
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
Just been invited to the launch event of a report considering the 'future of the UK's research system' where they will be considering the creation of disruption labs named after Ada Lovelace and the report will be introduced by a panel of five men
November 11, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Just been invited to the launch event of a report considering the 'future of the UK's research system' where they will be considering the creation of disruption labs named after Ada Lovelace and the report will be introduced by a panel of five men
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
This is excellent,worth a read. As an educator, it is one of the most frustrating things to hear ‘why don’t you teach X’. Half the time, we do, you just didn’t listen. And the other issue is capacity. I’m desperately trying to organise more trips and clubs. But I’m already overextended, by choice.
For political hacks like myself, 'put it in the curriculum' is the oldest and hattiest of old hat policy ideas.
Why do we think schools should solve all our problems? What if we thought differently about life skills and civic education?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/schools-ca...
Why do we think schools should solve all our problems? What if we thought differently about life skills and civic education?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/schools-ca...
Schools cannot solve all our problems
The limits of ‘put it in the curriculum’ politics
howtorunacountry.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:39 AM
This is excellent,worth a read. As an educator, it is one of the most frustrating things to hear ‘why don’t you teach X’. Half the time, we do, you just didn’t listen. And the other issue is capacity. I’m desperately trying to organise more trips and clubs. But I’m already overextended, by choice.
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
This is really worth reading.
"Put it in the curriculum" assumes that adults have learned everything they will ever need to know and that the state can play no role in informing them. When you put it like that, it becomes clear what abject bullshit the assumption is.
"Put it in the curriculum" assumes that adults have learned everything they will ever need to know and that the state can play no role in informing them. When you put it like that, it becomes clear what abject bullshit the assumption is.
For political hacks like myself, 'put it in the curriculum' is the oldest and hattiest of old hat policy ideas.
Why do we think schools should solve all our problems? What if we thought differently about life skills and civic education?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/schools-ca...
Why do we think schools should solve all our problems? What if we thought differently about life skills and civic education?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/schools-ca...
Schools cannot solve all our problems
The limits of ‘put it in the curriculum’ politics
howtorunacountry.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:59 AM
This is really worth reading.
"Put it in the curriculum" assumes that adults have learned everything they will ever need to know and that the state can play no role in informing them. When you put it like that, it becomes clear what abject bullshit the assumption is.
"Put it in the curriculum" assumes that adults have learned everything they will ever need to know and that the state can play no role in informing them. When you put it like that, it becomes clear what abject bullshit the assumption is.