Richard Pope
@richardpope.org
I wrote a book on public services:
https://londonpublishingpartnership.co.uk/books/platformland-an-anatomy-of-next-generation-public-services/
It’s time to share the benefits of digital with the public properly.
https://londonpublishingpartnership.co.uk/books/platformland-an-anatomy-of-next-generation-public-services/
It’s time to share the benefits of digital with the public properly.
As is now seemingly traditional, new year optimism about work productivity not survived contact with reality. Mid Jan already and clocked up 2.5 days work, despite being busy constantly.
January 13, 2026 at 1:49 PM
As is now seemingly traditional, new year optimism about work productivity not survived contact with reality. Mid Jan already and clocked up 2.5 days work, despite being busy constantly.
The principles behind indiweb (https://indieweb.org) and open source are, it seems, more important for nation states and public institutions than they are for individuals
January 9, 2026 at 10:40 PM
The principles behind indiweb (https://indieweb.org) and open source are, it seems, more important for nation states and public institutions than they are for individuals
Reposted by Richard Pope
Think I’ve found the right repos to propose these for removal:
github.com/alphagov/gov...
github.com/alphagov/fro...
github.com/alphagov/e-p...
github.com/alphagov/gov...
github.com/alphagov/fro...
github.com/alphagov/e-p...
January 8, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Think I’ve found the right repos to propose these for removal:
github.com/alphagov/gov...
github.com/alphagov/fro...
github.com/alphagov/e-p...
github.com/alphagov/gov...
github.com/alphagov/fro...
github.com/alphagov/e-p...
Cognitive dissonance between this and the approach to grok / users of grok www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Starmer says rioters can expect rapid sentencing - BBC News
Teenager James Nelson is thought to be the first person to be jailed for their part in the disorder.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Cognitive dissonance between this and the approach to grok / users of grok www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Richard Pope
I know there's a lot going on, but this is a deathblow to a large number of International organizations and UN groups. The factsheet and full memo are online now.
If it wasn't clear yet that the US is at war with the int'l system, this should do it for you.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
If it wasn't clear yet that the US is at war with the int'l system, this should do it for you.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
January 8, 2026 at 1:54 AM
I know there's a lot going on, but this is a deathblow to a large number of International organizations and UN groups. The factsheet and full memo are online now.
If it wasn't clear yet that the US is at war with the int'l system, this should do it for you.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
If it wasn't clear yet that the US is at war with the int'l system, this should do it for you.
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Are there any precedents for the the US Coast Guard operating in our UK waters?
UK armed forces helped US seizure of tanker, says MoD www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK armed forces helped US seizure of tanker, says MoD www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK forces helped US seizure of tanker, says MoD
Venezuelan-linked Marinera was stopped by the US Coast Guard as it travelled through waters between Iceland and Scotland.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Are there any precedents for the the US Coast Guard operating in our UK waters?
UK armed forces helped US seizure of tanker, says MoD www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK armed forces helped US seizure of tanker, says MoD www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Richard Pope
I am extremely confused as to why the UK government and police are saying Grok’s mass-scale CSAM generation is an issue for Ofcom.
This isn’t about X failing to moderate CSAM, which is an Online Safety Act issue. It is about the company and its technology being actively involved in its generation.
This isn’t about X failing to moderate CSAM, which is an Online Safety Act issue. It is about the company and its technology being actively involved in its generation.
January 7, 2026 at 7:37 AM
I am extremely confused as to why the UK government and police are saying Grok’s mass-scale CSAM generation is an issue for Ofcom.
This isn’t about X failing to moderate CSAM, which is an Online Safety Act issue. It is about the company and its technology being actively involved in its generation.
This isn’t about X failing to moderate CSAM, which is an Online Safety Act issue. It is about the company and its technology being actively involved in its generation.
Public institutions who publish on social media should own the definitive version. It’s the same logic that means they routinely publish press releases that then get reported in multiple newspapers.
Given blog gov uk exists a... https://richardpope.org/2026/01/07/public-institutions-who-publish-on/
Given blog gov uk exists a... https://richardpope.org/2026/01/07/public-institutions-who-publish-on/
January 7, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Public institutions who publish on social media should own the definitive version. It’s the same logic that means they routinely publish press releases that then get reported in multiple newspapers.
Given blog gov uk exists a... https://richardpope.org/2026/01/07/public-institutions-who-publish-on/
Given blog gov uk exists a... https://richardpope.org/2026/01/07/public-institutions-who-publish-on/
2025 reflections part 1: https://richardpope.org/2026/01/01/reflections-part/
January 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM
2025 reflections part 1: https://richardpope.org/2026/01/01/reflections-part/
Using ChatGPT to write an Obsidian addon
and had to tell it to rewrite the code to 00’s era javascript so I could understand / edit it.
and had to tell it to rewrite the code to 00’s era javascript so I could understand / edit it.
December 17, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Using ChatGPT to write an Obsidian addon
and had to tell it to rewrite the code to 00’s era javascript so I could understand / edit it.
and had to tell it to rewrite the code to 00’s era javascript so I could understand / edit it.
Parts of the proposed amendments to the US ESTA system read like: “our website is awful, we’ve just got to decommission our website”
www.federalregister.gov/documents…
www.federalregister.gov/documents…
December 12, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Parts of the proposed amendments to the US ESTA system read like: “our website is awful, we’ve just got to decommission our website”
www.federalregister.gov/documents…
www.federalregister.gov/documents…
Aiming to make it to this later
December 6, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Aiming to make it to this later
From this weeks Beno. I’m sure it will be a useful metaphor for something at some point.
November 29, 2025 at 9:39 PM
From this weeks Beno. I’m sure it will be a useful metaphor for something at some point.
Aerated concrete and EHCPs: https://richardpope.org/2025/11/26/aerated-concrete-and-ehcps/
November 26, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Aerated concrete and EHCPs: https://richardpope.org/2025/11/26/aerated-concrete-and-ehcps/
Reposted by Richard Pope
Looks like I am going to have to repost this until someone takes action - anyone want to commission me to write about [email protected] @simeonkerr.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social @scotnational.bsky.social
digitalpolicy.substack.com/p/how-the-go...
digitalpolicy.substack.com/p/how-the-go...
How the government should leave Twitter
by not leaving twitter
digitalpolicy.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Looks like I am going to have to repost this until someone takes action - anyone want to commission me to write about [email protected] @simeonkerr.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social @scotnational.bsky.social
digitalpolicy.substack.com/p/how-the-go...
digitalpolicy.substack.com/p/how-the-go...
Given question of government use of X has come up again, I’d like to make the argument for the creation of micro.blog.gov.uk that uses the indieweb.org/Micropub standard + syndication as white label product that can be used by HMG, devolved government, local etc.
November 20, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Given question of government use of X has come up again, I’d like to make the argument for the creation of micro.blog.gov.uk that uses the indieweb.org/Micropub standard + syndication as white label product that can be used by HMG, devolved government, local etc.
Musing on what’s different about digital bookings
November 20, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Musing on what’s different about digital bookings
November 20, 2025 at 8:20 AM
"MPs on the select committee said the UK needed to develop greater “sovereign” technology capacity, award more contracts to smaller, local providers, and be less reliant on deals that resulted in government departments becoming locked into services with US firms."
www.theguardian.com/society/2…
www.theguardian.com/society/2…
November 19, 2025 at 11:24 PM
"MPs on the select committee said the UK needed to develop greater “sovereign” technology capacity, award more contracts to smaller, local providers, and be less reliant on deals that resulted in government departments becoming locked into services with US firms."
www.theguardian.com/society/2…
www.theguardian.com/society/2…
I saw a band called TheWheel2! at the Windmill in Brixton at the weekend. At the time I wrote down ‘Dylan goes electric then goes new romantic’, which I’m not sure stands up on a second listen, but they were very good:
www.thewheel2.co.uk
www.thewheel2.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 12:02 AM
I saw a band called TheWheel2! at the Windmill in Brixton at the weekend. At the time I wrote down ‘Dylan goes electric then goes new romantic’, which I’m not sure stands up on a second listen, but they were very good:
www.thewheel2.co.uk
www.thewheel2.co.uk
Reposted by Richard Pope
What I love most about this story is the NYT’s obliviousness to the fact that in other anglophone cultures the slang for tight male underwear or swimwear is ‘budgie smugglers’ www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/u...
Man Who Stuffed Parakeets in His Pants Faces Smuggling Charge
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:11 PM
What I love most about this story is the NYT’s obliviousness to the fact that in other anglophone cultures the slang for tight male underwear or swimwear is ‘budgie smugglers’ www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/u...
Some design provocations about preventative healthcare and designing for the service loop …
www.rpp.works/ways-of-d…
www.rpp.works/ways-of-d…
November 13, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Some design provocations about preventative healthcare and designing for the service loop …
www.rpp.works/ways-of-d…
www.rpp.works/ways-of-d…
Reposted by Richard Pope
I’m on the lookout for a new contract (preferably inside).
I’ve got over a decade of experience working in the public sector, mostly in agile delivery management. Two weeks notice.
Not got DMs here but Signal is zuz.1337, or LinkedIn is good.
Thx :)
I’ve got over a decade of experience working in the public sector, mostly in agile delivery management. Two weeks notice.
Not got DMs here but Signal is zuz.1337, or LinkedIn is good.
Thx :)
November 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I’m on the lookout for a new contract (preferably inside).
I’ve got over a decade of experience working in the public sector, mostly in agile delivery management. Two weeks notice.
Not got DMs here but Signal is zuz.1337, or LinkedIn is good.
Thx :)
I’ve got over a decade of experience working in the public sector, mostly in agile delivery management. Two weeks notice.
Not got DMs here but Signal is zuz.1337, or LinkedIn is good.
Thx :)
Some (slightly belated) thoughts on the UK announcability-first announcement on digital identity:
www.rpp.works/ways-of-d…
www.rpp.works/ways-of-d…
November 5, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Some (slightly belated) thoughts on the UK announcability-first announcement on digital identity:
www.rpp.works/ways-of-d…
www.rpp.works/ways-of-d…
Useful reminder from Julia Cream at the Kings Fund that reducing admin burdens required leadership and intent
"If it was easy to improve patient experience of NHS admin it would have been sorted long ago. The depth and breadth ... https://richardpope.org/2025/11/04/useful-reminder-from-julia-cream/
"If it was easy to improve patient experience of NHS admin it would have been sorted long ago. The depth and breadth ... https://richardpope.org/2025/11/04/useful-reminder-from-julia-cream/
November 4, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Useful reminder from Julia Cream at the Kings Fund that reducing admin burdens required leadership and intent
"If it was easy to improve patient experience of NHS admin it would have been sorted long ago. The depth and breadth ... https://richardpope.org/2025/11/04/useful-reminder-from-julia-cream/
"If it was easy to improve patient experience of NHS admin it would have been sorted long ago. The depth and breadth ... https://richardpope.org/2025/11/04/useful-reminder-from-julia-cream/