Akash Paun

Programme Director @instituteforgov / Devolution / Constitution / Government

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

I don't normally post personal things but... For our final day of homeschooling yesterday, my son (8) and I watched and discussed the famous MLK speech. And then he had to write his own with no help (except I told him "gonna" is not a real word). Here it is ❤️

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@SocraticScribe Is the optical illusion the like, dislike, comment and share button? I got tricked by that 😀

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@edudissenter @BrianDellaTorre Thanks. Yes that's true - under Michael Gove there were a set of reforms that do seem to have paid off in terms of improving English educational outcomes

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@edudissenter @BrianDellaTorre Which reforms do you mean? A-Levels and GCSEs (previously O-Levels) have been around for decades. I took mine in the 1990s, my parents in the 1960s.

(But I do agree with your original point, having standard tests across the country is important, esp for university admissions).

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@PolitlcsUK Can they do Mint/Chamomile etc Tea next?

Slightly differently, Chai Tea is an awful name given it means Tea Tea.

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@JohnRentoul As nicely illustrated by the @instituteforgov interactive ministers database (all credit due to colleagues of mine - not me!)

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@WholesomeMeme Wow that's interesting

[Institute for Government @instituteforgov]

We're about to kick off day 2 of our #CPC fringe programme.

Join us in Exchange 6-7 at 10:30 for our event on how mayors can improve skills and productivity to drive regional growth, with @paulbristow79 @Duncanivison @LouiseMcKinlay @UoMPolicy @AkashPaun https://t.co/t8lplLI8jy

[Dawn Butler ✊🏾💙 @DawnButlerBrent]

On Monday I was honoured to host the launch of the @LondonAssembly new report on devolution, Trusting London to Deliver.

A valuable discussion about how we strengthen our city and ensure Londoners’ voices are heard. 🌆

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@dsarkerbaldur @gunsnrosesgirl3 Zeno called. He wants his frog back.

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@KiwiOnTheSticks It's actually a "moo" point, because it's like a cow's opinion. It doesn't matter. It's moo.

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@paul_e10 @HasAhmed_ And that includes 4 tellers, 4 Speakers, Sinn Fein (don't take their seats), and SNP (don't vote on non-Scottish bills). Real number is 23 or 24 depending how you account for one person who voted both ways

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@HasAhmed_ @thomas_718 I don't disagree, but your figure of 148 is not correct and I'm not sure what it's based on https://t.co/K0gU3jbvCk

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@HasAhmed_ That number is wrong. 313 votes in favour and 291 against. So 604 total. + 4 tellers = 608. + Speaker and 3 Deputies = 612. + 7 Sinn Fein (don't take their seats) = 619. + 9 SNP (don't vote on non-Scottish bills) = 628.

That makes only 22 abstentions out of 650 MPs in total.

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@HasAhmed_ Correction - I had not spotted also that one MP voted both ways (as an active abstention) https://t.co/ue5QJ6n3jQ

[Grant Rafferty @GrantRafferty]

@Kat_Says_Stuff @HasAhmed_ For Clarity SNP dont vote on English/Welsh matters like this nor do the deputy speaker nor speaker. So its 15 Labour, 5 Conservatives, 2 Lib Dems, and 1 Social Democratic & Labour voter + Wendy Chamberlain doing the double vote abstain.

So total real abstains is 24 MPs.

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@HasAhmed_ That number is wrong. 313 votes in favour and 291 against. So 604 total. + 4 tellers = 608. + Speaker and 3 Deputies = 612. + 7 Sinn Fein (don't take their seats) = 619. + 9 SNP (don't vote on non-Scottish bills) = 628.

That makes only 22 abstentions out of 650 MPs in total.

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@GrantRafferty @Kat_Says_Stuff @HasAhmed_ Well it's to show they showed up, considered the issue and actively abstained. Which you might still think is a cop-out but it's different from just not being there at all

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@GrantRafferty @Kat_Says_Stuff @HasAhmed_ Ah I made it 23 but hadn't spotted the Chamberlain double vote. Good work! https://t.co/K0gU3jaXMM

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@HasAhmed_ That number is wrong. 313 votes in favour and 291 against. So 604 total. + 4 tellers = 608. + Speaker and 3 Deputies = 612. + 7 Sinn Fein (don't take their seats) = 619. + 9 SNP (don't vote on non-Scottish bills) = 628.

That makes only 22 abstentions out of 650 MPs in total.

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

@jamiegla1 @DelusionPosting Nah. He divides by zero (2-2) in the final step. It looks clever but actually makes no sense.

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

What makes for effective mayoral leadership? Bloomberg Center for Cities Director Jorrit de Jong discussed how new mayors can use their platform to bring benefits to their regions at an event hosted by the @instituteforgov with Deputy Director @Emma_Norris & @AkashPaun, Programme Director for Devolution. “With the most complex urban problems, you are always going to have to navigate multi-jurisdictional issues,” De Jong said. “Local governments are closest to the residents and the closest to the problem. So, even if they don't have full authority, mayors are in a unique position to lead problem-solving efforts that require collaboration.” Watch the discussion here: https://t.co/SYYzmrQrPb.

[Angus Robertson @AngusRobertson]

So the UK Government has just reached a 12 year deal on the devolved issue of fishing without any recourse, involvement or approval of Scottish Government and other Devolved Administrations. It follows cancellation of last three EFRA inter ministerial meetings by UK government.

[Akash Paun @AkashPaun]

Next Wednesday, 21 May, @instituteforgov is hosting Jorrit de Jong, Director of the Bloomberg @CenterforCities at @Harvard University to discuss "Effective urban leadership: What are the international lessons for England’s mayors?"

Sign up here https://t.co/qULloLQ5vm