@carolineslocock
Director of think tank Civil Exchange, expert on government and civil society, political commentator, ex senior civil servant and Private Secretary to two PMs, author of People Like Us and, out in June, Bad Government. Also on X.
Perilous times for government. Not just the unpredictable Iran war, but a US committed in its National Security Strategy to undermining centrist governments in Europe by supporting the far right, and the Tories and Reform aligning with it, feeding Trump attack lines.
Mahmood makes it impossible for people granted asylum to plan their lives by denying longterm settlement for up to 20 years. It’s wars that cause most people to seek asylum and the strike on Iran is likely far more impactful on numbers than her changes.
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As Starmer ponders his reset I hope he will reflect on these words from the successful by-election candidate, ‘we don't have to accept being turned against each other’. He said he regretted his ‘island of strangers’ phrase. But harsh anti-migrant measures and rhetoric followed.
ICYMI The PM’s ethics adviser found a gap between Simons’ recent statements and what actually happened, which was an undercover attempt to discredit those who had uncovered wrongdoing at Labour Together. Starmer promised to restore trust in politics. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
A reminder of how jury trials can preserve civil liberties. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-engl...
The Epstein files show how easy it is for our leaders to serve their own interest, and for wealthy and powerful people to buy influence. Brown called for sweeping measures to tackle corruption, Jones said the govt would make some of them, but the issue is getting lost, I feel.
Extraordinary that Reform want to repeal the Equality Act, an attack on rights most of us take for granted. Do they really want it to be legal to discriminate against pregnant women at work or on grounds of race, religion, disability, or age etc, or to sexually harrass women?
This whole incident is contributing to a lack of trust in government and it is unedifying to see a dispute between the FCDO and the Cabinet Office about the facts of the matter played out in public. Someone independent needs to review the papers and resolve.
On @BBCWomansHour this a.m. about Romeo. Bullying allegations should be taken seriously and not brushed aside as 'misogyny' but I feel for Romeo who should not have to go through trial by media either. The Civil Service Commission must advise on due process and diligence.
Looking forward to reviewing tomorrow's newspapers tonight at 10.30 @listentotimesradio.bsky.social @darrylmorris.bsky.social
Look to the money. The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change received money from the Saudi government, has advised the United Arab Emirates petrostate, and counts as a main donor Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, friend of Trump and advocate of AI.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Welcome changes to reduce loopholes that allow foreign donations in upcoming legislation, though they could be stronger, but this still means a small number of rich individuals in this country can exert undue influence through large donations. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
McDonald also says Starmer should run a new competition for Cabinet Secretary as more than a year has elapsed since the one in which Romeo was deemed appointable. Reminded of Johnson’s constant briefing against Cabinet Secretary Sedwill before sacking him and appointing Case. Conflict, chaos.
Even if this is the right decision long-term, respect for people and process is important.
Shocking that Wormald, whom Starmer had himself appointed to many’s surprise, only learnt of his sacking in the media and is now being blamed for the Mandelson decision. And to announce the new appointment before getting sign off from the Commission. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Not a good look as the govt resets itself. Palantir hosts party for MOD and others to celebrate its new defence contract promoted by Mandelson’s PR company. www.thetimes.com/article/2ecb...
Looking forward to talking about Keir Starmer with Tony Livesey on @bbc5live.bsky.social, around 10.10pm tonight.
Looking forward to talking on BBC rolling news about Starmer’s future, around 7.30 tonight.
This is what I wrote when McSweeney was appointed, fearing he'd create 'a tight ship sailing in the wrong direction'. Campaigning is not the same as governing and what No 10 needed then and now is a clear vision and a focus on restoring trust, which has been so badly undermined.
There's a quote in the book 'Get In' about Starmer's rise to power that says that those around him, ie McSweeney, put him nominally in charge of a DLR train in fact remotely driven by others. I think he's a decent man and it will be interesting to see how he does without him.
As Thatcher pondered her resignation, she faced two questions: did her colleagues support her and what was best for the country, questions Starmer faces now. He promised to restore trust, can he do so now? And what are the Cabinet telling him in private? www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02...
Brown has shown great leadership in asking for more effective steps to root out corruption than others have taken so far. If Starmer takes up his reforms, it could save him, but Brown's intervention also highlights how deep the damage is that Mandelson's appointment has caused.
'Advisers advise, Ministers decide' said Thatcher, and stood behind her advisers rather than saving herself, as I write about in today's @Telegraph. May and Johnson sacked advisers and bought time, but not much. Will Starmer? it's a cleft stick: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02...
Culture wars bankrolled. US to fund think tanks and charities in Europe incl in UK to promote its policies, following its National Security Strategy call for “cultivating resistance” to its current trajectory on migration and “censorship of free speech”. www.ft.com/content/f869...
Each case is different, and there were good reasons for forced resignations, but yet another change of PM in midstream at such a difficult time risks damaging trust in democracy even more, and ultimately could open the door via the ballot box to authoritarianism.
It looks like Labour is catching the recent Tory disease, changing PMs in mid stream. The pattern, which I write about in my forthcoming book, Bad Government, is to sack advisers first - May’s Timothy and Hill, Johnson’s Cummings. Thatcher refused and look what happened to her.
Who was it who thought bringing in the Master of the Dark Arts into the heart of a government committed to restoring trust and integrity was a good idea? And knew he’d had to resign twice before for misconduct in public office and had a relationship with a convicted pedophile.
Why we have juries. Jury found Palestine Action protesters not guilty of aggravated burglary, (though unable to reach a verdict on some other points).
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Epstein's tentacles went everywhere and we are shocked by how he infiltrated our state and likely others for his own ends. His power is nothing to Musk and the tech bros and no doubt there are strings they are pulling so they can make even more money out of us.
Cameron before becoming PM: ‘I believe that secret corporate lobbying, like the expenses scandal, goes to the heart of why people are so fed up with politics. It arouses people's worst fears and suspicions about how our political system works.’ Not that he fixed it.