Lucy Carrier-Pilkington

Are Meghan and Harry about to undergo a PR makeover?  

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 20th August 2026

Could the Sussexes’ shock UK return finally bring peace with the royals – and the British press?

Industry Reacts: Early prison release scheme 

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 19th August 2026

UK prisons have reached 97% capacity, but proposals to release prisoners early to create space have provoked widespread public concern – here is what industry experts say.  

Civil service work-from-home saga continues as new analysis comes to light 

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 18th August 2026

The civil service target of 60% in the office is not being hit by most departments.  

Karoline Leavitt to step down from White House role

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 14th August 2026

The press secretary will be leaving her post at the end of the month

A Level results day is a milestone for 18-year-olds in Britain, but their futures remain uncertain 

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 14th August 2026

A record number of A Level students have secured a place at their first-choice university, but a perilous job market and youth unemployment crisis still lie ahead.

Industry Reacts: Lucy Powell and education reform

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 6th August 2026

The Burnham administration has unveiled an ambitious new vision for Britain’s school system. Mace asks leaders across the education sector for their verdict.

The uncancellable Quentin Letts

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 6th August 2026

As a parliamentary Boz of modern times, Quentin Letts has recently found himself under fire in the Commons press gallery. He tells us why sketch writers don’t need to get on with politicians.

Leaders call for a reform of strict civil service rules: “Trust in politicians and governments is dangerously low”

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 29th July 2026

Former No.10 comms director warns that civil service rules stop special advisers and civil service officials from working together to communicate the government’s work.

Despite promises of radical change, Labour’s culture of ruling political families remains entrenched

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 28th July 2026

Andy Burnham’s inner circle appears to perpetuate Labour’s long-running culture of nepotism, and is doomed to cause frustration among backbenchers.

Industry reacts: Burnham cuts business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues in England by 20% 

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 23rd July 2026

Mace investigates what industry leaders really think about this new measure.

Travel industry leaders plan to step up lobbying efforts under Burnham government

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 22nd July 2026

The leading travel association has set out an engagement program with MPs, civil servants, advisors and government bodies.

John Healey as Chancellor: a Westminster surprise chess move and a safe pair of hands

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 21st July 2026

Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s surprise move to appoint former Defence Secretary John Healey as Chancellor of the Exchequer proves that Westminster politics is an unpredictable game of cabinet thrones.

Industry Reacts: Small Tech and the social media ban

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 15th July 2026

“If the ban is pitched ever so slightly wrong, then companies which have nothing to do with social media are going to get caught in it,” experts warn.

Olly Robbins shows Whitehall is prepared to hold Westminster to account

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 14th July 2026

The former head of the Foreign Office is now taking legal action, putting the government’s treatment of senior civil servants under fresh scrutiny.

Communication: The real engine of Burnhamism  

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 9th July 2026

Before he has even begun, Burnham has incisively communicated his plan for the country. As MPs are scrambling for positions in cabinet, his comms team are assembling. 

Burnham’s controversial lobbying ties raise red flags about transparency in Westminster  

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 8th July 2026

Bombshell evidence reveals Burnham’s soon-to-be Chief of Staff ran a lobbying firm that hosted a multitude of undisclosed meetings with Labour officials.  

Farage’s bombshell resignation: Strategy or hubris? 

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 7th July 2026

Farage says ‘the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions’, but is this his most reckless move yet?  

Industry Reacts: Burnham’s ambitious housebuilding plans  

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 2nd July 2026

Andy Burnham has promised the ‘biggest rebalancing of power our country has ever seen’. The Mace investigates what industry insiders think of his vision.

Caroline Simpson: Why devolution needs this technocrat

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 1st July 2026

Amid the frenzy over who Burnham will choose as his chancellor, his shrewd appointment of Caroline Simpson to lead No. 10 North has been overlooked.

Defence spending controversy aside, the UK cannot turn up to NATO empty-handed 

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 25th June 2026

Labour psychodrama is simply not as important as the UK’s diplomatic commitment to its NATO allies.

Whitehall grinds to a halt after resignation chaos  

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 24th June 2026

Senior advisor warns that the change of prime minister is a “colossal waste of energy”, as the business of politics comes to a standstill.

Britain is drifting towards Italian-style instability — it is time to learn from America 

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 23rd June 2026

Love or hate the current American administration, at least they have a consistent electoral cycle where the choice of the electorate is upheld.  

Burnham’s popularity bubble is doomed to pop  

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 23rd June 2026

Andy Burnham wants an immediate coronation, but life in Westminster would quickly expose the limits of popular appeal built from a safe distance. 

Musical chairs again in Downing Street

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 18th June 2026

What will a Burnham government look like ? Lucy Carrier-Pilkington analyses what a change of prime minister will mean for the country and who will be the likely winners and losers.

The World Cup economy: Football could bring billions home this year

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 17th June 2026

New analysis reveals mixed results for the UK economy during this summer’s tournament, with the hospitality sector reaching a record high and workplace productivity, unsurprisingly, worse for wear.

‘Al is a born leader’: The dark horse of the Labour leadership contest 

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 16th June 2026

Ex-Royal Marines commando emerges as the plan B candidate in the race for Labour leadership.

‘Never bet against America’ SpaceX debut makes millions for the UK  

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 16th June 2026

The most highly anticipated stock market debut of the year, perhaps of all time, has delivered a huge win for UK investors.

The social media ban: game changer or rushed job?

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 16th June 2026

Debate has erupted over whether the new policy is an overdue attempt to rein in Silicon Valley or a short-sighted, politically motivated move that will push children towards less regulated corners of the internet.

Social media crackdown: “Those who use social media to incite violence and disorder are breaking the law”  

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 11th June 2026

Twelve police officers have been injured and 16 people arrested in the second night of rioting in Northern Ireland, Technology Secretary responds with a new crackdown.

Is the pub economy coming home for the World Cup?  

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 10th June 2026

As England prepares for next Wednesday’s World Cup opener, The Mace explores how the tournament could boost the pub economy.

What the Mandelson files reveal about Global Counsel

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 4th June 2026

Lord Peter Mandelson has found himself in the headlines again, as the ‘Mandelson Files’ reveal the true extent of his involvement in the Labour Party.

Divisive debate erupts over potential workers’ rights overhaul 

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 4th June 2026

A new workers’ rights consultation could spell the end of ‘exploitative’ zero-hours contracts, but critics warn the move could further damage the shrinking labour market.

“Children deserve better”: Industry leaders react to potential social media ban

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 27th May 2026

Industry experts warn that a ban on under-16s using social media ‘could create a false sense of safety’ if additional measures to fortify the ban are not put in place.

The Downing Street revolving door undermines democracy and weakens policymaking

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 21st May 2026

With the battle for Labour’s leadership far from over, Lucy Carrier-Pilkington analyses what a change in leader could mean for policymaking.

Are Labour eyeing a return to the EU? Mace investigates the key players involved 

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 19th May 2026

Recent comments by the former health secretary have plunged Brexit back into national conversation, but what does Labour actually think?

Inside the Red Queen’s campaign war chest

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 14th May 2026

Now Angela Rayner has been cleared by HMRC, will she stand to be the next Prime Minister? Lucy Carrier-Pilkington reveals has the financial and political backing in place.

Westminster Street Fight for the Labour crown

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 13th May 2026

With Wes Streeting resigning and Angela Rayner now cleared by HMRC, all eyes are on Westminster’s Game of Thrones-style battle for the Labour crown

Wes Streeting could be Britain’s next PM — here are the lobby groups who come with him 

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 12th May 2026

Calls for Keir Starmer to quit are getting louder, Lucy Carrier-Pilkington examines what new leadership could mean for the lobbying industry.

Two pubs close every day: Voters blame the government

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 6th May 2026

Widespread pub closures comes as troubling news for football fans who want a local venue to watch the World Cup this summer.

King Charles: The real ‘special ingredient’ in our relationship with the USA 

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 29th April 2026

King Charles’s address to Congress was designed to steady a strained special relationship. Twelve standing ovations later, the Palace had given Downing Street something politics could not: a rare bipartisan moment in Washington and a reminder that royal soft power still has diplomatic bite.

Modern history shows the Open University is key to rehabilitating extremists — so why are we making cuts to prison education?

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 28th April 2026

Amid cuts to prison education hours in England, Lucy Carrier-Pilkington looks back at the historic success of the Open University in Northern Ireland and why it is still a valuable asset today.

Mobile phone ban in schools: lobby groups say “it’s about time”

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 22nd April 2026

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will be amended to introduce a legal ban on mobile phones in schools in England.

Whitehall continues to throw Starmer under the bus as the Robbins saga continues

By Lucy Carrier-Pilkington / 21st April 2026

As the blame game between Keir Starmer and Olly Robbins unfolds, Lucy Carrier-Pilkington argues this is just the latest in a pattern of governments pinning responsibility on civil servants.