Alex Thomas
Programme Director
Alex's recent work
Liz Truss blaming the deep state is an excuse for failure
Liz Truss's deep state delusions are undermining any serious argument she might make.
The PCS challenge on arms sales to Israel shows the strengths and limits of civil service unions
Civil service unions have a particular responsibility to show restraint on political activity.
Declining fast stream applications are a warning sign for the civil service
The fast stream is one of the UK’s best graduate schemes.
All work
The Patel v Rutnam clash shows the limits of the cabinet secretary’s power
The explosion in the Home Office shows the constraints on the management of the top civil service team
The consequences of Philip Rutnam’s dramatic resignation from the Home Office
Philip Rutnam's resignation and the mess that follows and its aftermath will have consequences for the Home Office and the government’s wider agenda
Ministers and senior civil servants should respect each other – and the rule of law
Reports that the Home Office is “at war” and that the home secretary is trying to remove her permanent secretary are damaging for the government
The reshuffle demonstrates the PM’s power – but does not mean the end of the Treasury
While Sajid Javid’s departure will make things easier for No.10 in the short term, his former department cannot be side-lined for long
The reshuffle will show whether the government is serious about shaking up the civil service
If the government is serious about reforming the civil service and making changes stick, then it must prioritise and prepare for the long haul
A decade of reform has left the government better equipped to take the Huawei decision
The creation of the National Security Council has helped the government to deal with sensitive judgement calls like Huawei
The Dominic Cummings agenda requires forensic scrutiny from a crucial parliamentary committee
The next chair of PACAC must bring his colleagues together around a programme of sustained and forensic scrutiny of the government
The civil service is getting older and younger – what does that mean?
The changing profile of the civil service is a challenge which can be met by reinforcing established values
Has the civil service been resisting Brexit?
Rather than being resistant, Whitehall is responsive to clear political will