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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 1d

Does anyone else think of McCarthy’s ‘unAmerican’ when politicians brand things as ‘unBritish’? I get what’s being said about sensitivity, intimidation and fighting racism but protests are as British as they come and we already have laws to use against racism, hate and violence.

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 2d

Thatcher’s clothes at a ghostly, empty conference. I think Thatcher in her heyday would be shocked to see her party abandon international and net zero commitments, carelessly sacrificing our international standing at a time when our leadership matters more than ever.

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 2d

The last govt introduced multiple restrictions on peaceful protests and this govt is on the same path. Bad laws are made in haste and Mahmood should have listened to all sides before acting. The police already have extensive powers. The banning of Palestine Action has backfired.

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 7d

I know what Govt is going to do on its political fight against Reform but am hazy about their priorities for governing. First there were 5 missions, then 6 milestones, now 3 things: growth, NHS and security, I think. Any delivery chain needs clear orders, government even more so.

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 8d

I like Starmer’s focus on giving people and communities agency, working in partnership with them to build a fairer Britain for all. Chimes very much with the Civil Society Covenant launched by the PM and Lisa Nandy in July. www.gov.uk/government/p...

Civil Society Covenant

www.gov.uk

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 8d

It was striking that Starmer had his audience most behind him when he was attacking racism, and with real passion. I suspect we were seeing the real man there, not the speechwriter, and many would like to see more of this, and not the Reform-lite policies.

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 11d

Starmer’s vision for Britain is to be a world leader in AI and quantum mechanics. Digital ID will be, as Darren Jones says, the bedrock of modern services. Inspiring for the big tech companies Labour talks to, but what about us? Where do we fit into this future? #Technovision

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 13d

Conference speeches rarely stick but Davey’s jibe that Starmer’s govt is like Sunak’s made me think. Some policy differences eg net zero but many priorities the same. Starmer’s promise to work with civil society is genuinely new and could be a game changer but who’s heard of it?

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 13d

Tackling child poverty is an investment - we invest in our own children’s futures and the state should do the same for those in poverty. It’s the right thing to do but it will also contribute to our future prosperity, increasing GDP and reducing state support costs longer term.

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 17d

Madness. Michael Ellis, Attorney General under Truss and MAGA fan, will fix ‘Broken Britain’ by abolishing the Supreme Court, leaving the ECHR and UN, hiring and firing judges, abolishing police operational independence and politicising civil service. www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...

Access Restricted

www.telegraph.co.uk

Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 22d

Great to see the Hillsborough Law to require public servants to tell the truth, act with integrity and prevent cover ups. Tougher standards are good, as with Ministerial Code and new Ethics Commission. But the right culture and values must also be set by their political masters.

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 24d

If I were Morgan McSweeney I’d be very worried about this piece, which presents him almost as Mandelson’s creature, guiding him to get to the state that Labour is now in, elevating Starmer as their instrument for doing so but lamenting his failings now. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

How furious Peter Mandelson has brought Starmer to the brink

The Labour veteran has always felt undervalued. The sacking that’s ending his extraordinary political life has done nothing to change that

www.thetimes.com

Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 25d

If Starmer does go, history suggests it’s initially staved off by sacking of Chief of Staff or resets of No 10 (May, Johnson) but ultimately forced by Cabinet resignations (Thatcher, May, Johnson) amidst poor polling and unhappy MPs.

So, McSweeney next?

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 28d

I can see why Starmer wants to keep Mandelson, esp as sacking him just for being friends with Epstein will upset Trump. But how can a 'best pal' with Epstein, as made so clear by the b-day book, represent this country? At best, easily hoodwinked and seduced by money and power.

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · 29d

This and other revelations today give an insight into how former PMs might abuse their power and public funding to line their pockets. This Govt has given business appointment rules more teeth but an independent review by new Ethics Commission is needed. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Boris Johnson was paid £240,000 after Maduro meeting, invoice shows

Johnson’s office sent invoice to hedge fund manager, which was paid, weeks after meeting Venezuelan leader last year

www.theguardian.com

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · Sep 6

How does a govt criticised for the lack of a clear purpose show it has one? Reshuffle its Cabinet so almost all of them are on a learning curve and policies are up in the air, critical relationships at home and abroad are lost and a govt still learning how to govern is at sea.

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · Sep 5

Sorry for Angela Rayner personally that she has resigned but pleased the standards process has proved robust. It is vital this govt puts clear blue water between it and the last administration and maintains the highest standards of integrity in public life.

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · Sep 5

The Govt makes much of its strengthening of the powers of the PM’s ethics adviser, which it has, but it hasn’t given him the power to determine a breach of the Code, as recommended by the Committee on Standards in Public Life. He advises, the PM decides, as Johnson did on Patel, against advice.

Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · Sep 4

What flying the flag really means to GB News. Paul Marshall, speaking in Washington to a MAGA crowd at the launch of his new media outpost, tells Trump land it needs to come to save Britain by spreading its cultural values and bully tactics here. Reported by Politico.

Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · Sep 3

Streeting on @BBCr4today said police should be policing streets, not tweets and that legislative change is being considered. Will they change their own new law that requires the police to arrest hundreds of elderly protestors holding up banners supporting Palestine Action?

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · Sep 1

As the PM appoints Shafik as a new Economic Adviser, I'm reminded of Thatcher's Economic Adviser, Walters, an appointment which ultimately contributed to her Chancellor (who'd once been one of her greatest champions) resigning. Hopefully not here.

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · Sep 1

Good to see Darren Jones' appointment to the new job of Chief Secretary to the PM in charge of the Mission Delivery Unit. He will have a detailed overview of govt, given his previous role in HMT, and the direct line to the PM will strengthen central coordination of the missions

Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · Aug 31

Britain is experiencing an invasion - an invasion of Trump-inspired policies on culture wars, anti-migration, net zero and more. Today's attention seeking policy? Badenoch promises to 'drill the North Sea dry.' This is performative politics at its worst, and it is taking hold.

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Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · Aug 28

That said, there’s a pattern of PMs under threat getting rid of key staff before finally having to resign themselves. Eg May and Timothy and Hill and Johnson and Cummings. Hopefully not the case here or with Sue Gray and more about learning the right skill set for each job.

Caroline Slocock @carolineslocock.bsky.social · Aug 28

I’m not surprised by the departure of the PM’s Principal Private Secretary. She’s a critical bridge into Whitehall, without which he can’t deliver, so normally filled by someone with deep Whitehall experience, eg from the Treasury, which she doesn’t have. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Keir Starmer to replace third top aide in less than a year

Nin Pandit runs the PM's team in Downing Street and has only been in the role for ten months.

www.bbc.com

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