Full Breakdown
Morgan McSweeney Calls for a Separate No 10 Think Tank to Shield Strategic Planning
By Drooid · · How we work
Proposal for a No 10 Think Tank
Former Labour chief of staff Morgan McSweeney said he wanted the Prime Minister’s office to establish its own think tank that would sit outside formal government structures.
Rationale Behind the Proposal
He contended that this scrutiny “starves” No 10 of strategic thinking, especially in crises, and that the centre of government has become “too weak” because too many functions have been delegated to arm’s-length bodies.
Context of Government Scrutiny
According to McSweeney, the combination of public vetting and FOI requests creates a cost for long-range planning, forcing the Prime Minister’s office to operate with limited strategic capacity.
Potential Implications
If implemented, a separate think tank could operate without the same FOI obligations, potentially allowing for more confidential policy development. Critics might argue that such insulation could reduce transparency and accountability, while supporters would claim it restores the ability to craft long-term strategies. The proposal revives a longstanding debate over the balance between openness and effective governance in Westminster.
Verbatim Quotes
- “One of the things that I was working on when I was leaving No. 10, and I would have kept working on this, is that I think it's impossible for No. 10 to be strategic,” — Morgan McSweeney — Morgan McSweeney