Max Emmett
@maxemmett.bsky.social
UCL Political Theory PhD. Thinking about civil servants, what they get up to, and whether they should stop.
This year I fulfilled a lifelong ambition of appearing on University Challenge. Tune in tonight to see if I fulfilled the subsidiary ambition of not embarrassing myself on University Challenge.
September 14, 2026 at 7:36 AM
This year I fulfilled a lifelong ambition of appearing on University Challenge. Tune in tonight to see if I fulfilled the subsidiary ambition of not embarrassing myself on University Challenge.
I'm a little more on the fence on numbers, but this blog has lots of other great recommendations on transparency and structure for No. 10 that should be taken up.
ON THE BLOG: Andy Burnham’s Number 10 should have fewer special advisers
Robert Hazell argues that to avoid the turmoil of his predecessor Burnham should aim to have fewer, more heavyweight Special Advisers, working more closely with the Number 10 civil servants.
Robert Hazell argues that to avoid the turmoil of his predecessor Burnham should aim to have fewer, more heavyweight Special Advisers, working more closely with the Number 10 civil servants.
Andy Burnham’s Number 10 should have fewer special advisers
Keir Starmer had 42 Special Advisers in Number 10. The expectation is that Andy Burnham will recruit a similar number. In this post, Robert Hazell argues that to avoid the turmoil of his predecessor Burnham should aim to have fewer, more heavyweight Special Advisers, working more closely with the Number 10 civil servants.
blogs.ucl.ac.uk
July 5, 2026 at 2:34 PM
I'm a little more on the fence on numbers, but this blog has lots of other great recommendations on transparency and structure for No. 10 that should be taken up.
I think the debate around Miliband as chancellor made me realise we've drifted into a world where both sides think they've won the debate on net zero. For a time from 2017-2022 this was maybe true for pro-net zero (with varying commitment), but now we need to go out and make the argument again.
June 30, 2026 at 7:42 AM
I think the debate around Miliband as chancellor made me realise we've drifted into a world where both sides think they've won the debate on net zero. For a time from 2017-2022 this was maybe true for pro-net zero (with varying commitment), but now we need to go out and make the argument again.
Reposted by Max Emmett
Some thoughts on Darren Jones's speech yesterday - some good CS reforms! But if your best bet on 'getting stuff done' is to create a taskforce outside the system, it's the system that needs to change...
Government taskforces are not a long-term solution for the problems facing the state | Institute for Government
Darren Jones needs a plan for long-term reforms, as well as short-term delivery.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 21, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Some thoughts on Darren Jones's speech yesterday - some good CS reforms! But if your best bet on 'getting stuff done' is to create a taskforce outside the system, it's the system that needs to change...
Really good piece on AI and policy making. A related hang up I've been thinking about is whether we would want to move away from a government of persons to one of machines. Humans bring lots of flaws to the policy making process but it feels maybe important to democracy that the flaws are human.
How does policymaking survive in an age of automation?
Our blog today, by @patrickking.bsky.social, looks at the future of what he calls the 'policy-industrial complex'👇
reform.uk/comment/the-...
Our blog today, by @patrickking.bsky.social, looks at the future of what he calls the 'policy-industrial complex'👇
reform.uk/comment/the-...
The policy-industrial complex - REFORM
reform.uk
April 24, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Really good piece on AI and policy making. A related hang up I've been thinking about is whether we would want to move away from a government of persons to one of machines. Humans bring lots of flaws to the policy making process but it feels maybe important to democracy that the flaws are human.
Reposted by Max Emmett
Today is Quintidi the 15th of Pluviôse in the year 233.
Pluviôse is the month of rain.
Today we celebrate cows.#JacobinDay
More information on cows
Pluviôse is the month of rain.
Today we celebrate cows.#JacobinDay
More information on cows
February 2, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Today is Quintidi the 15th of Pluviôse in the year 233.
Pluviôse is the month of rain.
Today we celebrate cows.#JacobinDay
More information on cows
Pluviôse is the month of rain.
Today we celebrate cows.#JacobinDay
More information on cows
This is such an important time for the UK to show credible leadership on climate change. This would be a dreadful decision at any time but the government can't keep talking out of both sides of its mouth on climate issues like this.
Exclusive with @pronouncedalva.bsky.social @ellenmilligan.bsky.social
UK Poised to Back Heathrow Airport Expansion in Push for Growth
Gatwick, Luton projects also set for approval
As well as Lower Thames Crossing and Universal Studios theme park
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UK Poised to Back Heathrow Airport Expansion in Push for Growth
Gatwick, Luton projects also set for approval
As well as Lower Thames Crossing and Universal Studios theme park
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
UK Poised to Back Heathrow Airport Expansion in Push for Growth
Keir Starmer’s government is preparing to approve controversial expansions to three London airports as part of a push to spur growth that’s become more urgent this month after international markets ca...
www.bloomberg.com
January 20, 2025 at 10:32 PM
This is such an important time for the UK to show credible leadership on climate change. This would be a dreadful decision at any time but the government can't keep talking out of both sides of its mouth on climate issues like this.
Having to revise the terminology for a whole paper because the phrase ‘committing a tactical leak’ is too evocative of going to the toilet before a long film in the cinema.
November 28, 2024 at 2:24 PM
Having to revise the terminology for a whole paper because the phrase ‘committing a tactical leak’ is too evocative of going to the toilet before a long film in the cinema.
Reposted by Max Emmett
This clearly says the question I've been struggling to articulate on Labour's message.
What is the pain for?
In 2010 the objective of deficit reduction was clear and you could understand how cuts contributed to it. This failed and was ideologically driven but you could use it to interpret policy
What is the pain for?
In 2010 the objective of deficit reduction was clear and you could understand how cuts contributed to it. This failed and was ideologically driven but you could use it to interpret policy
Five signals that will show whether Labour is really governing in a different way | Institute for Government
The autumn presents a unique moment for the new government
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 1, 2024 at 9:31 PM
This clearly says the question I've been struggling to articulate on Labour's message.
What is the pain for?
In 2010 the objective of deficit reduction was clear and you could understand how cuts contributed to it. This failed and was ideologically driven but you could use it to interpret policy
What is the pain for?
In 2010 the objective of deficit reduction was clear and you could understand how cuts contributed to it. This failed and was ideologically driven but you could use it to interpret policy
This clearly says the question I've been struggling to articulate on Labour's message.
What is the pain for?
In 2010 the objective of deficit reduction was clear and you could understand how cuts contributed to it. This failed and was ideologically driven but you could use it to interpret policy
What is the pain for?
In 2010 the objective of deficit reduction was clear and you could understand how cuts contributed to it. This failed and was ideologically driven but you could use it to interpret policy
Five signals that will show whether Labour is really governing in a different way | Institute for Government
The autumn presents a unique moment for the new government
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 1, 2024 at 9:31 PM
This clearly says the question I've been struggling to articulate on Labour's message.
What is the pain for?
In 2010 the objective of deficit reduction was clear and you could understand how cuts contributed to it. This failed and was ideologically driven but you could use it to interpret policy
What is the pain for?
In 2010 the objective of deficit reduction was clear and you could understand how cuts contributed to it. This failed and was ideologically driven but you could use it to interpret policy