Blogs and Briefings
17 February
Connect’s Tom Denney argues that yesterday’s housing starts figures are a sign of significant trouble ahead.
Connect take part in Guardian rail event
2 February
Earlier this week Connect’s Tom Denney took part in a Guardian online panel discussion on the impact big infrastructure projects like HS2 can have on local government.
27 January
Connect’s Washington correspondent, Caroline Gordon, gives her verdict on Tuesday’s State of the Union.
What next for decentralisation?
25 January
Connect’s Steve Barwick looks at the prospects for decentralisation and elected mayors.
NEWS: Connect Communications strengthens team
25 January
David Button and Jessica Northend join the Connect team.
25 January
Connect’s Lucy Holbrook hears Liam Byrne set out the Opposition’s ground on welfare.
12 January
Connect’s Andrew Smith considers if the Prime Minister’s intervention into the debate on Scottish Independence is likely to help or hinder the unionist cause
11 January
Despite the headlines, Connect’s Steve Barwick thinks it’s too early to write off Ed Miliband
5 January
Connect's very own US Correspondent Caroline Gordon thinks the biggest winner of the Iowa caucus wasn’t even on the ballot…
Realism or Radicalism? Cameron’s Euro Challenge
7 December
Connect’s Andrew Smith looks at what the European Summit will mean for the UK and the Prime Minister.
Is the new meter scheme really that smart?
7 December
Smart meters may not sound like the sexiest political issue, but £12billion of investment is finally generating some hard questions in Westminster, says Steve Barwick.
2 December
Sophie Wedderkopp hears the quiet man turn up the volume...so he can drown out the hecklers…
The housing sector - facing a perfect storm?
1 December
Connect’s Lucy Holbrook attends a Smith Square debate on the housing crisis.
29 November
Connect’s Ben Wright hears a discussion on the factors behind this year’s civil unrest
25 November
Connect’s Senior Policy Consultant Andrew Smith takes a look at next week's Autumn Statement.
Tip-offs, tapes, wrangles and whistleblowing
25 November
Connect’s Ben Wright headed to the LSE last night to hear from the Chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.
Managers must be at centre of health reforms
24 November
Connect's Sophie Wedderkopp reports from the Managers in Partnership annual conference, organised by the Connect team.
Washington notebook: Political X-Factor
24 November
Connect’s Caroline Gordon is on sabbatical in Washington DC, where she has a front-row view for a very American-style election.
18 November
Connect’s Adam Thomas joins Lembit Opik at a London premiere with a difference.
17 November
Connect’s Steve Barwick thinks he may have found the most remarkable consultation document ever…
10 November
Connect’s Andrew Smith hears what shale gas reservoirs might mean for global energy supplies.
Why is Boris so quiet on environment strategy?
10 November
Connect Director Emily Wallace writes on the undercover publication of the Mayor’s environment policies.
7 November
Connect’s Andrew Smith looks at the reshuffle taking place behind the scenes in Government.
Full steam ahead for Rail in the North
4 November
Connect Consultant Tom Denney, who provides the Secretariat to the All Party Parliamentary Rail in the North Group, reports from the group’s annual reception in the House of Commons.
1 November
Connect’s James Hawkins gets a glimpse into how a future in/out EU referendum might be framed.
‘Oceans of innovation’ at local level
28 October
Connect’s Lucy Holbrook hears from local government leaders at the LGiU gathering in Westminster.
27 October
Connect’s Ben Wright hears from four Select Committee Chairs leading parliament’s fight back.
EU vote: A shot across Cameron’s bows
25 October
Connect’s James Hawkins on those Tory rebels with a cause…
21 October
Ahead of Monday’s vote on proposals for an EUreferendum, Connect’s Senior Policy Consultant Andrew Smith believes the Prime Minister must act to address the worsening relationship between Downing Street and Conservative backbenchers.
Select Committees thrive in “age of scrutiny”
19 October
Connect’s Peter Barrett sees Keith Vaz address the LSE on all things Home Affairs.
Boris, battlegrounds and ballet shoes
18 October
Mayor of London Boris Johnson paid a visit to Greenwich University last night to set out his stall for 2012. Connect consultant and Conservative councillor Adam Thomas was there.
17 October
As consultation closes on the Draft National Planning Policy Framework, Steve Barwick argues that there will always be need for proper public and stakeholder engagement.
Industry opposition bad for Government’s health
13 October
As Peers vote to pass the controversial Health and Social Care Bill at Second Reading in the House of Lords, Steve Barwick thinks the Government should be concerned about the alliance of opposition to their plans.
'Supercop' leaves questions as well as answers
12 October
Former Los Angeles and New York police chief Bill Bratton spoke to an audience at the LSE last night. Connect’s Ben Wright went along to hear from the man dubbed ‘supercop’.
7 October
Connect’s Peter Barrett sees Pensions Minister Steve Webb address the Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance Annual Conference.
4 October
Connect consultant and Conservative councillor Andrew Smith reports on a somber mood at the Party’s gathering in Manchester.
26 September
Connect’s Steve Barwick on a bustling atmosphere in Liverpool.
Lib Dem gathering fails to spark
19 September 2011
Connect consultant and Liberal Democrat member Ben Wright gives his assessment on the Party's gathering in Birmingham.
30 August 2011 - Intelligence Briefing
Connect assess the likely political fallout from the recent rioting.
One year on – winners and losers?
May 2011 - Intelligence Briefing
Connect’s Steve Barwick looks back at the first year of the Coalition and explains why Nick Clegg has gone from hero to zero, but David Cameron still comes up smelling of roses.
Do Blue and Yellow make Green?
February 2011
Connect Communication’s, Senior Policy Consultant, Andrew Smith, takes stock of the Coalition Government's commitment to being the “Greenest Government ever”.
