Alex Walker
@alwalker.bsky.social
Research https://www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/
Interests include devolution, governance, democracy, trust
Interests include devolution, governance, democracy, trust
Reposted by Alex Walker
Devolution is essential for empowering our communities, councillors & mayors - but also our MPs. Read why in my opinion piece for @labourlist.bsky.social✍️
Do you agree?
labourlist.org/2025/11/no-m...
Do you agree?
labourlist.org/2025/11/no-m...
'Time for MPs to stop being ‘Super Councillors’ and start being legislators again' - LabourList
MPs Are Overstretched as ‘Super Councillors’—Devolution will restore their primary role as legislators says IPPR North's Zoe Billingham.
labourlist.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Devolution is essential for empowering our communities, councillors & mayors - but also our MPs. Read why in my opinion piece for @labourlist.bsky.social✍️
Do you agree?
labourlist.org/2025/11/no-m...
Do you agree?
labourlist.org/2025/11/no-m...
Reposted by Alex Walker
Gov just published a new list cabinet committees. In short, looks like (1) big vote of confidence in Darren Jones from the PM, (2) existing missions + immigration are top of the government's agenda, (3) PM wants things to happen faster, and (4) Rayner's priorities perhaps no longer front of mind?🧵
List of Cabinet Committees and their membership
www.gov.uk
November 19, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Gov just published a new list cabinet committees. In short, looks like (1) big vote of confidence in Darren Jones from the PM, (2) existing missions + immigration are top of the government's agenda, (3) PM wants things to happen faster, and (4) Rayner's priorities perhaps no longer front of mind?🧵
Reposted by Alex Walker
For Welsh politicos, or those with a newfound interest in Senedd elections, this is an interesting read on the dynamics, and pressures building, within Welsh Labour after the Caerphilly by-election and ahead of next Spring's Senedd election #devolution #senedd
Caerphilly by-election: Why Wales fell out of love with Labour
Now Labour faces its toughest task yet in Wales - convincing voters to keep believing, ahead of the 2026 Senedd election
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:02 AM
For Welsh politicos, or those with a newfound interest in Senedd elections, this is an interesting read on the dynamics, and pressures building, within Welsh Labour after the Caerphilly by-election and ahead of next Spring's Senedd election #devolution #senedd
Reposted by Alex Walker
Excellent thread on Barbara Castle and the introduction of the breathalyser!
It's an episode with an important moral: that having the courage to do the right thing, even if it's unpopular at the time, can save lives and bring public opinion with it over time.
It's an episode with an important moral: that having the courage to do the right thing, even if it's unpopular at the time, can save lives and bring public opinion with it over time.
This week is Road Safety Week & a chance to talk about Barbara Castle!
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
November 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Excellent thread on Barbara Castle and the introduction of the breathalyser!
It's an episode with an important moral: that having the courage to do the right thing, even if it's unpopular at the time, can save lives and bring public opinion with it over time.
It's an episode with an important moral: that having the courage to do the right thing, even if it's unpopular at the time, can save lives and bring public opinion with it over time.
Reposted by Alex Walker
Nothing like a communiqué being issued promptly!
Surely worth the wait…
Surely worth the wait…
November 18, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Nothing like a communiqué being issued promptly!
Surely worth the wait…
Surely worth the wait…
Good to see the government moving toward giving mayors this (relatively modest) fiscal power.
As @jillongovt.bsky.social & @tompope.bsky.social argue here, more local revenues will support strategic authorities to become a mature tier of government: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
As @jillongovt.bsky.social & @tompope.bsky.social argue here, more local revenues will support strategic authorities to become a mature tier of government: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
November 17, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Good to see the government moving toward giving mayors this (relatively modest) fiscal power.
As @jillongovt.bsky.social & @tompope.bsky.social argue here, more local revenues will support strategic authorities to become a mature tier of government: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
As @jillongovt.bsky.social & @tompope.bsky.social argue here, more local revenues will support strategic authorities to become a mature tier of government: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
Reposted by Alex Walker
This is the point. Policy *should not* be adjusted or fine-tuned in response to minor forecasting judgements. Decisions about whether or not to break a prominent manifesto promise *should not* depend on minor forecasting judgements. This stuff matters. We've got to do better than this.
I know it’s always like this. But one striking thing from the budget kite flying and kite pulling back in, is how major policy decisions are constantly being buffeted around by iterative forecast changes.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
November 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
This is the point. Policy *should not* be adjusted or fine-tuned in response to minor forecasting judgements. Decisions about whether or not to break a prominent manifesto promise *should not* depend on minor forecasting judgements. This stuff matters. We've got to do better than this.
In my view it doesn't make sense to have Police & Crime Commissioners in the context of mayoral devolution being rolled out across the country - among other things, mayors have a higher public profile and this should help better integrate services
But an important "if" from @jimmcmahon.co.uk below
But an important "if" from @jimmcmahon.co.uk below
So, this is good news if the pace of mayors being rolled out across England is maintained, and boundaries aligned so they make sense for local people and public services. (2/2)
November 13, 2025 at 6:10 PM
In my view it doesn't make sense to have Police & Crime Commissioners in the context of mayoral devolution being rolled out across the country - among other things, mayors have a higher public profile and this should help better integrate services
But an important "if" from @jimmcmahon.co.uk below
But an important "if" from @jimmcmahon.co.uk below
Reposted by Alex Walker
Nice example of how our @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk framework for measuring social and cultural infrastructure can cast a different light on important initiatives that may sit at the edge of policymakers' thinking.
📝 New blog: Dr Dimitrios Panayotopoulos-Tsiros argues that community-led, non-clinical initiatives that support men’s mental health should be viewed as vital social infrastructure, with the Bennett School’s framework a useful tool for making them visible.
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/from-pi...
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/from-pi...
From pies to policy: Measuring the social infrastructure that supports men’s mental health - Bennett School of Public Policy
In a new blog, Dr Dimitrios Panayotopoulos-Tsiros argues that men’s mental health benefits from viewing community-led initiatives as vital social infrastructure, using the Bennett School’s framework t...
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Nice example of how our @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk framework for measuring social and cultural infrastructure can cast a different light on important initiatives that may sit at the edge of policymakers' thinking.
Reposted by Alex Walker
Which is a long way round of saying: a lot of the pieces I’m reading on the crucial role of the BBC massively overweight news and underplay the wider role of 50 odd radio stations, a dozen TV stations and the vast majority of its output.
November 10, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Which is a long way round of saying: a lot of the pieces I’m reading on the crucial role of the BBC massively overweight news and underplay the wider role of 50 odd radio stations, a dozen TV stations and the vast majority of its output.
Reposted by Alex Walker
Fantastic Inside Politics by Jen Williams today:
Nigel Farage’s army of councillors balance piracy and professionalism
Party rides high as it battles dropouts among the recently elected and struggles for ‘massive savings’
www.ft.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Fantastic Inside Politics by Jen Williams today:
Reposted by Alex Walker
Our new divergence is tracker out: auditing the extent to which UK/EU rules and regs have aligned/diverged since June.
It highlights the increasingly awkward position which the UK occupies: of wanting to act like the EU on most regulatory issues, but without being part of the club.
It highlights the increasingly awkward position which the UK occupies: of wanting to act like the EU on most regulatory issues, but without being part of the club.
🚨 PUBLISHED TODAY 🚨
👀 Take a look at the latest edition of UK in a Changing Europe's UK-EU regulatory divergence tracker by @jreland.bsky.social
🤓 It's the only report of its kind to outline exactly how UK and EU rules and regulations have diverged
🧵 Key findings
ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/uk-e...
👀 Take a look at the latest edition of UK in a Changing Europe's UK-EU regulatory divergence tracker by @jreland.bsky.social
🤓 It's the only report of its kind to outline exactly how UK and EU rules and regulations have diverged
🧵 Key findings
ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/uk-e...
UK-EU Divergence Tracker Q3 2025 - UK in a changing Europe
This is the fourteenth edition of the UK in a Changing Europe’s regulatory divergence tracker, outlining how UK and EU rules and regulations have diverged in the period July-October 2025.
ukandeu.ac.uk
October 21, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Our new divergence is tracker out: auditing the extent to which UK/EU rules and regs have aligned/diverged since June.
It highlights the increasingly awkward position which the UK occupies: of wanting to act like the EU on most regulatory issues, but without being part of the club.
It highlights the increasingly awkward position which the UK occupies: of wanting to act like the EU on most regulatory issues, but without being part of the club.
Reposted by Alex Walker
I’ve written for @financialtimes.com about the need for belief in the future to get things built on.ft.com/47cO3Qs Why optimists build better infrastructure
Why optimists build better infrastructure
History credits the Victorians for their grand — and enduring — schemes but we need our eyes on the future to emulate them
on.ft.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I’ve written for @financialtimes.com about the need for belief in the future to get things built on.ft.com/47cO3Qs Why optimists build better infrastructure
Reposted by Alex Walker
Worth noting that in Nov 24 the govt wrote to South Cambridgeshire to say that voters were best placed to decide on council effectiveness and that Labour would bring an “end to micromanaging”
I’d like to see the full text of this latest letter to see what has changed
I’d like to see the full text of this latest letter to see what has changed
October 29, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Worth noting that in Nov 24 the govt wrote to South Cambridgeshire to say that voters were best placed to decide on council effectiveness and that Labour would bring an “end to micromanaging”
I’d like to see the full text of this latest letter to see what has changed
I’d like to see the full text of this latest letter to see what has changed
Reposted by Alex Walker
Really enjoyed recording this discussion with David Runciman, covering threats to democracy, early 20thc theories of oligarchy, how algorithmic social media is changing politics, the problem with 19thc approaches to suffrage - and much, much more!
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social try to answer some of the hundreds of questions, comments and suggestions we have had about this series. How do we know if democracy is broken? Have we ever had a real democracy anyway?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode David & @dmk1793.bsky.social try to answer some of the hundreds of questions, comments and suggestions we have had about this series. How do we know if democracy is broken? Have we ever had a real democracy anyway?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Really enjoyed recording this discussion with David Runciman, covering threats to democracy, early 20thc theories of oligarchy, how algorithmic social media is changing politics, the problem with 19thc approaches to suffrage - and much, much more!
Reposted by Alex Walker
Tory policy is to revoke permanent residence (ILR) for everybody who does not earn £38k - deporting most nurses who have ILR
This is put in the video as "who is unlikely to contribute more than they cost"
NB: video does not say EU settled status is exempt
No govt since Idi Amin has done this
This is put in the video as "who is unlikely to contribute more than they cost"
NB: video does not say EU settled status is exempt
No govt since Idi Amin has done this
October 21, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Tory policy is to revoke permanent residence (ILR) for everybody who does not earn £38k - deporting most nurses who have ILR
This is put in the video as "who is unlikely to contribute more than they cost"
NB: video does not say EU settled status is exempt
No govt since Idi Amin has done this
This is put in the video as "who is unlikely to contribute more than they cost"
NB: video does not say EU settled status is exempt
No govt since Idi Amin has done this
Reposted by Alex Walker
EXC: English councils will still be poorer in 2029 than they were in 2010, according to the IfG.
Report finds councils are increasingly providing social care and little else. Libraries, youth services, parks, all falling by the wayside.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Report finds councils are increasingly providing social care and little else. Libraries, youth services, parks, all falling by the wayside.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
EXC: English councils will still be poorer in 2029 than they were in 2010, according to the IfG.
Report finds councils are increasingly providing social care and little else. Libraries, youth services, parks, all falling by the wayside.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Report finds councils are increasingly providing social care and little else. Libraries, youth services, parks, all falling by the wayside.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Alex Walker
📣 Waves - the largest trial of digital democracy in Britain - is now live on the streets of #Camden.
If you're a Camden resident and want to help shape @camdencouncil.bsky.social's future plan on adult social care, have your say now: who-cares.commonplace.is
If you're a Camden resident and want to help shape @camdencouncil.bsky.social's future plan on adult social care, have your say now: who-cares.commonplace.is
October 14, 2025 at 10:59 AM
📣 Waves - the largest trial of digital democracy in Britain - is now live on the streets of #Camden.
If you're a Camden resident and want to help shape @camdencouncil.bsky.social's future plan on adult social care, have your say now: who-cares.commonplace.is
If you're a Camden resident and want to help shape @camdencouncil.bsky.social's future plan on adult social care, have your say now: who-cares.commonplace.is
Reposted by Alex Walker
Much to agree with in this piece on the Pride in Place programme @alwalker.bsky.social, on why it matters and where the questions still are.
The government's ‘pride in place’ programme aims to revitalise local places and empower communities.
But it remains to be seen whether the expanded regeneration scheme will mark a meaningful shift in power from the centre, writes @alwalker.bsky.social.
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
But it remains to be seen whether the expanded regeneration scheme will mark a meaningful shift in power from the centre, writes @alwalker.bsky.social.
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
Unpacking the pride in place programme - Bennett School of Public Policy
The government's new ‘pride in place’ strategy promises to empower communities to restore local spaces and revive high streets. The widened and rebranded regeneration scheme forms a key pillar of its ...
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk
October 14, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Much to agree with in this piece on the Pride in Place programme @alwalker.bsky.social, on why it matters and where the questions still are.
Reposted by Alex Walker
Great blog from my @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk colleague @alwalker.bsky.social on the government's new pride in place programme.
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
Unpacking the pride in place programme - Bennett School of Public Policy
The government's new ‘pride in place’ strategy promises to empower communities to restore local spaces and revive high streets. The widened and rebranded regeneration scheme forms a key pillar of its ...
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk
October 12, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Great blog from my @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk colleague @alwalker.bsky.social on the government's new pride in place programme.
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
Reposted by Alex Walker
The government's ‘pride in place’ programme aims to revitalise local places and empower communities.
But it remains to be seen whether the expanded regeneration scheme will mark a meaningful shift in power from the centre, writes @alwalker.bsky.social.
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
But it remains to be seen whether the expanded regeneration scheme will mark a meaningful shift in power from the centre, writes @alwalker.bsky.social.
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
Unpacking the pride in place programme - Bennett School of Public Policy
The government's new ‘pride in place’ strategy promises to empower communities to restore local spaces and revive high streets. The widened and rebranded regeneration scheme forms a key pillar of its ...
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk
October 10, 2025 at 1:26 PM
The government's ‘pride in place’ programme aims to revitalise local places and empower communities.
But it remains to be seen whether the expanded regeneration scheme will mark a meaningful shift in power from the centre, writes @alwalker.bsky.social.
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
But it remains to be seen whether the expanded regeneration scheme will mark a meaningful shift in power from the centre, writes @alwalker.bsky.social.
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
New blog for @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk on the pride in place strategy
I explore why the government is going quite big on this and has adopted the language of pride in place, and look at whether it marks a real shift in power away from the centre
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
I explore why the government is going quite big on this and has adopted the language of pride in place, and look at whether it marks a real shift in power away from the centre
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
Unpacking the pride in place programme - Bennett School of Public Policy
Labour’s new ‘pride in place’ strategy promises to empower communities to restore local spaces and revive high streets. The widened and rebranded regeneration scheme forms a key pillar of its response...
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk
October 10, 2025 at 10:58 AM
New blog for @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk on the pride in place strategy
I explore why the government is going quite big on this and has adopted the language of pride in place, and look at whether it marks a real shift in power away from the centre
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
I explore why the government is going quite big on this and has adopted the language of pride in place, and look at whether it marks a real shift in power away from the centre
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/blog/unpacki...
Reposted by Alex Walker
The map below shows how far behind France and Germany we are in mass transit. In France, every place with over 150,000 people has some form of tram or metro.
But if mayoral areas can 'become builders' as @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social puts it in the foreword, we can turn this around.
🧵
1/9
But if mayoral areas can 'become builders' as @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social puts it in the foreword, we can turn this around.
🧵
1/9
October 9, 2025 at 7:10 AM
The map below shows how far behind France and Germany we are in mass transit. In France, every place with over 150,000 people has some form of tram or metro.
But if mayoral areas can 'become builders' as @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social puts it in the foreword, we can turn this around.
🧵
1/9
But if mayoral areas can 'become builders' as @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social puts it in the foreword, we can turn this around.
🧵
1/9
Reposted by Alex Walker
📢 Applications are now open for 2026–27 entry to our two MPhil programmes
🎓 New: MPhil in Digital Policy
🎓 MPhil in Public Policy
Ideal for professionals in government, business & civic sectors.
🔗 Learn more about the courses & funding & apply:
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/study/
🎓 New: MPhil in Digital Policy
🎓 MPhil in Public Policy
Ideal for professionals in government, business & civic sectors.
🔗 Learn more about the courses & funding & apply:
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/study/
September 30, 2025 at 2:44 PM
📢 Applications are now open for 2026–27 entry to our two MPhil programmes
🎓 New: MPhil in Digital Policy
🎓 MPhil in Public Policy
Ideal for professionals in government, business & civic sectors.
🔗 Learn more about the courses & funding & apply:
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/study/
🎓 New: MPhil in Digital Policy
🎓 MPhil in Public Policy
Ideal for professionals in government, business & civic sectors.
🔗 Learn more about the courses & funding & apply:
www.bennettschool.cam.ac.uk/study/
Reposted by Alex Walker
I enormously enjoyed this conversation with David Runciman about the history of compulsory voting, how it came to be adopted in countries like Belgium and Australia, and what it could for British politics today.
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!
In today’s episode David talks to political historian @dmk1793.bsky.social about whether voting should be required by law and what might change if non-participation was no longer an option. Why have some countries made voting compulsory?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
In today’s episode David talks to political historian @dmk1793.bsky.social about whether voting should be required by law and what might change if non-participation was no longer an option. Why have some countries made voting compulsory?
Find us at...🎧 ppfideas.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:50 AM
I enormously enjoyed this conversation with David Runciman about the history of compulsory voting, how it came to be adopted in countries like Belgium and Australia, and what it could for British politics today.