Alex Thomson

C.S. Lewis’ incredible observation on friendship

@jayrayner1 @ftweekend Have you tried Sea Sisters, which is a UK conservas producer?

For today’s @ftweekend I am in a fabulous Greek-inspired wine bar in Salford called Kallos where the bread game is strong, the dips are silky and they offer a beautiful list of premium canned fish. ft.com/content/360316…

"The most common error of all statesmen is to believe firmly there exists at any one moment a solution to every problem. There are in some periods problems to which no solution exists." De Gaulle in 1958 (p.519).

Sure is dusty in here

Chuck Norris could stop a chainsaw with his bare hands. May his memes live forever!

@dannykellywords Very sorry to hear this Danny. I'll be rooting for you. And I know you'll be pulling like a dog to beat this.

OK, so there's this... ✊️✊️✊️💊💊💊💚💚💚🔥🔥🔥

My first game! Somehow seems more than 34 years ago...

🚨⚪️: Dua Lipa's name is among the attractive options and has been discussed by divorced dad. 🇦🇱👀

Spurs will continue to go absolutely nowhere under Thomas Frank. This is all a complete waste of everybody’s time.

Michael Bond: “Ivor's idea was to combine a three-dimensional puppet Paddington with two-dimensional cardboard backgrounds and supporting cast, with Paddington the one colourful character set against muted backgrounds, rather like an early Peter Brook stage set. 1/2

What has Bentancur got on Frank? Performances horrific game after game and somehow he's the only player not being rotated. 😞

@tehTrunk @MPH1982 And he's still on the pitch, unbelievably

Bentancur is utterly, utterly finished - who the actual fuck thought giving him a new contract was a good idea?

Govt can cut benefits or raise taxes at a moment’s notice. Give nearly 20 years notice of an increase in pension age and apparently compensation may be due at a potential cost of billions; to be paid by younger generations. Ludicrous. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Can’t believe all this media coverage of « Charlie » Kirk . It’s America’s issue not the UK’s.

📣With ever-increasing demands on the sector and its people, this week sees the launch of Solace's new Commission on Professional Standards and Ethics to support local government leaders in the challenges of modern public service. Read more here👉bit.ly/3ZZ254b

Tom Stannard discusses today's 10 Year Health Plan, discussing Solace's efforts in this space, how the plan 'echoes that focus on prevention and population health', as well as the challenges still to be faced by the sector. Read here 👉bit.ly/3ItxyFu

Another £30bn on defence. U turn on winter fuel. Rebellion on plans which just slightly slow huge increases in spending on disability benefits. If spending goes only one way then so, inevitably, will tax. Historic increases already this decade. Looks like a lot more to come.

🎉 Celebrating Partnership at our Solace Summer Social tonight! 🌟 We're incredibly grateful to our amazing members and business partners who help us empower local government. 🙌 Your innovation, insights and support make a real difference - building stronger communities together. 🙏 Huge thanks to: ♻️ Equans (@EQUANS_UK): Powering the future with low-carbon energy solutions that help councils meet their net-zero and digital goals. . 👥 Advisor Plus (@AdviserPlus_): Supporting public sector HR with tailored advisory and case management solutions. 🏋️‍♂️ Alliance Leisure (@AllianceLeisure): Transforming community wellbeing through leisure facility development and refurbishment. 🛣️ Amey (@AmeyLtd): Enhancing local services with infrastructure and environmental expertise. ⚖️ Bevan Brittan (@BevanBrittanLLP): Providing trusted legal guidance across health, housing, and governance. 🌐 City Fibre (@CityFibre): Building the digital backbone of local communities with full-fibre networks. 🖥️ Civica (@CivicaUK): Streamlining council operations with smart software and automation. 🏛️ Crown Commercial Service (@gov_procurement): Helping councils procure smarter, faster, and more efficiently. 💻 Fujitsu: Driving digital transformation in local government with innovative IT solutions. 🏘️ The Hill Group (@Hill_Group_UK): Delivering affordable homes and regeneration projects in partnership with councils. 🏢 Norse Group (@NorseGroupLtd): Supporting communities with property, care, and environmental services. ☁️ Oracle (@Oracle_UKI): Modernising council services with cloud-based finance and HR systems. 💼 PSTAX: Ensuring tax compliance and planning excellence for local authorities. 🏗️ Robertson: Building the infrastructure that supports thriving communities. 📲 Salesforce (@SalesforceUK): Enhancing citizen engagement through powerful CRM platforms. 📊 Snowflake (@Snowflake): Empowering data-driven decision-making in local government. 🧾 Workday (@WorkdayPolicy): Enabling efficiency with cloud-based finance and HR systems. 🌟 Zest (@ZestCharging): Supporting council staff wellbeing with innovative employee benefits platforms. 🛡️ Zurich Municipal: Helping local authorities manage risk and build resilience. 🧠 CGI (@CGI_Global) Enhancing operations with expert IT and business consulting. 💡 Enable @Enable_Tweets): Simplifying grant and funding management to boost community engagement. #LocalGov #PublicService #Partnership #ThankYou

'Local authorities are not just service providers, they are place leaders, economic convenors and international connectors.' 🗞️Pam Smith in the MJ makes the case for local government's place in the UK's global trade strategy. Read more 👉bit.ly/3HKvFnK

'Change is inevitable. But progress? That's a choice.' With recent local elections making serious waves in the sector, Managing Director of Solace Graeme McDonald looks for opportunity for reset in his latest piece for the MJ. Read more here 👉 bit.ly/43MwKCW