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
How to afford the state we want
State effectiveness and state capacity are not the same thing
open.substack.com
Will the argument about state effectiveness solve our fiscal crisis? Of course not.
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
A good piece on the fundamental problem with (UK) politics. Your opponents may indeed be evil idiots but the problems they face may be complex wicked problems with no clear solutions and where decades of desperate flailing have made the whole system an impenetrable mess.
So good luck.
So good luck.
This week's piece includes my quiet fantasy about Robert Jenrick. Can you guess what it is?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/what-if-yo...
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/what-if-yo...
What if your enemies aren’t evil?
The lazy pattern of political thinking that slows progress
howtorunacountry.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:25 AM
A good piece on the fundamental problem with (UK) politics. Your opponents may indeed be evil idiots but the problems they face may be complex wicked problems with no clear solutions and where decades of desperate flailing have made the whole system an impenetrable mess.
So good luck.
So good luck.
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
Fabulous and important article about the Heffalump Trap every UK political party has fallen into for decades…
This week's piece includes my quiet fantasy about Robert Jenrick. Can you guess what it is?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/what-if-yo...
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/what-if-yo...
What if your enemies aren’t evil?
The lazy pattern of political thinking that slows progress
howtorunacountry.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Fabulous and important article about the Heffalump Trap every UK political party has fallen into for decades…
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
So pleased that someone recommended @pollymackenzie.bsky.social to me - not only insightful and thought-provoking. but also positive about what can still be achieved.
This week's piece includes my quiet fantasy about Robert Jenrick. Can you guess what it is?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/what-if-yo...
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/what-if-yo...
What if your enemies aren’t evil?
The lazy pattern of political thinking that slows progress
howtorunacountry.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:11 AM
So pleased that someone recommended @pollymackenzie.bsky.social to me - not only insightful and thought-provoking. but also positive about what can still be achieved.
This week's piece includes my quiet fantasy about Robert Jenrick. Can you guess what it is?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/what-if-yo...
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/what-if-yo...
What if your enemies aren’t evil?
The lazy pattern of political thinking that slows progress
howtorunacountry.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:43 AM
This week's piece includes my quiet fantasy about Robert Jenrick. Can you guess what it is?
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/what-if-yo...
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/what-if-yo...
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
📅 Upcoming event | Who governs Britain? A new theory of power for an age of populism
Join a cross-party line-up of thinkers and former insiders to rethink how power operates in the British state.
Sign up today:
👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/who-govern...
Join a cross-party line-up of thinkers and former insiders to rethink how power operates in the British state.
Sign up today:
👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/who-govern...
January 14, 2026 at 10:26 AM
📅 Upcoming event | Who governs Britain? A new theory of power for an age of populism
Join a cross-party line-up of thinkers and former insiders to rethink how power operates in the British state.
Sign up today:
👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/who-govern...
Join a cross-party line-up of thinkers and former insiders to rethink how power operates in the British state.
Sign up today:
👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/who-govern...
THERE AREN'T ANY LEVERS
"Every time I pull a lever" says the Prime Minister.
This dead metaphor is killing his ability to get things done.
There aren't any levers. There's only leadership.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/there-aren...
This dead metaphor is killing his ability to get things done.
There aren't any levers. There's only leadership.
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/there-aren...
There aren't any levers
A dead metaphor is killing the government's ability to get things done
howtorunacountry.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:33 PM
THERE AREN'T ANY LEVERS
I am getting massive FOMO about not being at the IfG conference given how many people have messaged me to say people keep using the word "lever".
Given how many mentions we've had of 'levers' so far today, it feels like a good moment to share @pollymackenzie.bsky.social's recent piece
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/there-aren...
howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/there-aren...
There aren't any levers
A dead metaphor is killing the government's ability to get things done
howtorunacountry.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:14 AM
I am getting massive FOMO about not being at the IfG conference given how many people have messaged me to say people keep using the word "lever".
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
The concept of business rates actively stifles high street development.
Improving a premises, either though changing it's use or upgrading facilities, increases it's rateable value and therefore it's business rates.
Why convert a derelict shop into a cafe if the new tax rate makes it unviable?
Improving a premises, either though changing it's use or upgrading facilities, increases it's rateable value and therefore it's business rates.
Why convert a derelict shop into a cafe if the new tax rate makes it unviable?
Agree with this. Wrote about what to do about it here:
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
How do you solve a problem like the high street?
Time for a Troubled Buildings Programme
open.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:14 PM
The concept of business rates actively stifles high street development.
Improving a premises, either though changing it's use or upgrading facilities, increases it's rateable value and therefore it's business rates.
Why convert a derelict shop into a cafe if the new tax rate makes it unviable?
Improving a premises, either though changing it's use or upgrading facilities, increases it's rateable value and therefore it's business rates.
Why convert a derelict shop into a cafe if the new tax rate makes it unviable?
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
I know we did high streets yesterday, and it’s dodgy former chancellor day today, but this is still interesting. (As ever, where’s the money coming from though.)
Agree with this. Wrote about what to do about it here:
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
How do you solve a problem like the high street?
Time for a Troubled Buildings Programme
open.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:22 PM
I know we did high streets yesterday, and it’s dodgy former chancellor day today, but this is still interesting. (As ever, where’s the money coming from though.)
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
I agree with a lot of this.
Agree with this. Wrote about what to do about it here:
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
How do you solve a problem like the high street?
Time for a Troubled Buildings Programme
open.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:23 AM
I agree with a lot of this.
Countdown continues for this podcast about my grandfather and the double life he did (or didn’t) lead.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
How a family were shocked by allegations about a dead dad’s double life: best podcasts of the week
Was British army major Robbie Mills leading a secret double life? Or was his posthumous accuser hoodwinking Mills’ family? A true-crime investigation finds out
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Countdown continues for this podcast about my grandfather and the double life he did (or didn’t) lead.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
Vileplume. This took a looong time.
January 11, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Vileplume. This took a looong time.
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
"[Business rates are] based on an old premise that value is created in physical spaces, and policing resources should be concentrated on protecting physical value. Now value is created online, crime happens online, and property owners still pick up most of the tab." @pollymackenzie.bsky.social
Agree with this. Wrote about what to do about it here: open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
January 11, 2026 at 6:21 PM
"[Business rates are] based on an old premise that value is created in physical spaces, and policing resources should be concentrated on protecting physical value. Now value is created online, crime happens online, and property owners still pick up most of the tab." @pollymackenzie.bsky.social
Agree with this. Wrote about what to do about it here: open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
January 11, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Agree with this. Wrote about what to do about it here: open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
A great piece, alongside Polly's previous one about the crapness of the levers metaphor for thinking about government.
I absolutely agree with this point about new capabilities. Policy thinking has too often been binary - it's hands off or micromanagement - when the reality is more nuanced /1
I absolutely agree with this point about new capabilities. Policy thinking has too often been binary - it's hands off or micromanagement - when the reality is more nuanced /1
January 11, 2026 at 12:59 PM
A great piece, alongside Polly's previous one about the crapness of the levers metaphor for thinking about government.
I absolutely agree with this point about new capabilities. Policy thinking has too often been binary - it's hands off or micromanagement - when the reality is more nuanced /1
I absolutely agree with this point about new capabilities. Policy thinking has too often been binary - it's hands off or micromanagement - when the reality is more nuanced /1
I would like to formally object to the enshittification of Subway. My children (bizarrely) love it - because you can get exactly what you choose. Isn't that the point? So why in the app or instore device is it impossible to order a salami sandwich? Or a pepperoni one? Only "spicy italian" with both?
January 11, 2026 at 11:42 AM
I would like to formally object to the enshittification of Subway. My children (bizarrely) love it - because you can get exactly what you choose. Isn't that the point? So why in the app or instore device is it impossible to order a salami sandwich? Or a pepperoni one? Only "spicy italian" with both?
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
Investing in society is an investment in democracy and in the economy. Great piece here
Yes: we spent unfathomable millions on a bridge to nowhere because process forced us to. But we also spent £100m on an unusable prison because of recklessness about process. State capacity is not a problem that bold leadership will magically resolve.
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
How to afford the state we want
State effectiveness and state capacity are not the same thing
open.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Investing in society is an investment in democracy and in the economy. Great piece here
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
Capacity is not just a fact of cash. It is also created by imagination: rethinking what the state does directly, what it enables others to do, and how it orchestrates effort beyond its own payroll howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/how-to-aff...
How to afford the state we want
State effectiveness and state capacity are not the same thing
howtorunacountry.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Capacity is not just a fact of cash. It is also created by imagination: rethinking what the state does directly, what it enables others to do, and how it orchestrates effort beyond its own payroll howtorunacountry.substack.com/p/how-to-aff...
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
I find this insightful: a post-heroic state, redesigned around relational services.
'State capacity *is* the issue of our age, but the heroic mindset will not increase that capacity.' 🎯
I also think we need to understand why normal state fiscal levers and capacity — the cash — seem to have shrunk…
'State capacity *is* the issue of our age, but the heroic mindset will not increase that capacity.' 🎯
I also think we need to understand why normal state fiscal levers and capacity — the cash — seem to have shrunk…
Yes: we spent unfathomable millions on a bridge to nowhere because process forced us to. But we also spent £100m on an unusable prison because of recklessness about process. State capacity is not a problem that bold leadership will magically resolve.
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
How to afford the state we want
State effectiveness and state capacity are not the same thing
open.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:14 AM
I find this insightful: a post-heroic state, redesigned around relational services.
'State capacity *is* the issue of our age, but the heroic mindset will not increase that capacity.' 🎯
I also think we need to understand why normal state fiscal levers and capacity — the cash — seem to have shrunk…
'State capacity *is* the issue of our age, but the heroic mindset will not increase that capacity.' 🎯
I also think we need to understand why normal state fiscal levers and capacity — the cash — seem to have shrunk…
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
Excellent stuff from @chrishusbands.bsky.social
Anyone following broader discussions of ‘state capacity’ and lack of ‘levers’ to make things happen (see Starmer at Liaison Committee & commentary from @pollymackenzie.bsky.social & @matthewholehouse.bsky.social) then it’s also a v good case study.
Anyone following broader discussions of ‘state capacity’ and lack of ‘levers’ to make things happen (see Starmer at Liaison Committee & commentary from @pollymackenzie.bsky.social & @matthewholehouse.bsky.social) then it’s also a v good case study.
New Post: WEEKEND READING: Why not more? www.hepi.ac.uk/2026/01/11/w...
January 11, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Excellent stuff from @chrishusbands.bsky.social
Anyone following broader discussions of ‘state capacity’ and lack of ‘levers’ to make things happen (see Starmer at Liaison Committee & commentary from @pollymackenzie.bsky.social & @matthewholehouse.bsky.social) then it’s also a v good case study.
Anyone following broader discussions of ‘state capacity’ and lack of ‘levers’ to make things happen (see Starmer at Liaison Committee & commentary from @pollymackenzie.bsky.social & @matthewholehouse.bsky.social) then it’s also a v good case study.
Yes: we spent unfathomable millions on a bridge to nowhere because process forced us to. But we also spent £100m on an unusable prison because of recklessness about process. State capacity is not a problem that bold leadership will magically resolve.
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
How to afford the state we want
State effectiveness and state capacity are not the same thing
open.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Yes: we spent unfathomable millions on a bridge to nowhere because process forced us to. But we also spent £100m on an unusable prison because of recklessness about process. State capacity is not a problem that bold leadership will magically resolve.
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
January 10, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
I wrote this a few years ago about pulling levers…
On instability, pulling levers and taking control — Mark Foden
Increased connectedness in the world is bringing unusual instability. The idea of “taking” control of it is not a very useful one.
markfoden.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:40 PM
I wrote this a few years ago about pulling levers…
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
Polly always has interesting things to say, but her Substack this week particularly resonates.
Will the argument about state effectiveness solve our fiscal crisis? Of course not.
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
How to afford the state we want
State effectiveness and state capacity are not the same thing
open.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Polly always has interesting things to say, but her Substack this week particularly resonates.
Reposted by Polly Mackenzie
Will the argument about state effectiveness solve our fiscal crisis? Of course not.
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
How to afford the state we want
State effectiveness and state capacity are not the same thing
open.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Will the argument about state effectiveness solve our fiscal crisis? Of course not.
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...
open.substack.com/pub/howtorun...