PolicyWISE

Less Confrontation, a Little More Cooperation Please – Public Polling on Intergovernmental Relations Ahead of Scottish and Welsh Elections New polling reveals the policy priorities of the public in both Scotland and Wales, including significant support for governments to be seen as co-operating.

The May 2026 elections in Scotland and Wales are shaping up to be arguably the most disruptive in the democratic devolution-era so far.

Yet just 26% of Scots and 20% of people in Wales believe their devolved governments & the UK Government cooperate well.

We asked people in Scotland and Wales what they want to see from their own governments and Westminster. Ahead of possibly seismic elections Dewi has shared his thoughts with PQ 👇.

Governments in Scotland, Wales and Westminster are failing to deliver on the public’s priorities because they don't work together, according to new polling. Just 26% of Scots and 20% of people in Wales believe devolved and UK Government cooperate.
Briefing here: www.policywise.org.uk/news/public-...

People have been asked if devolution has been good for Wales Pollsters asked about the way the devolved parliaments in Scotland and Wales worked with Westminster

Exclusive PolicyWISE polling out today finds Public confidence in intergovernmental working across the UK is worryingly low. Interested to hear more?
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politic...

Join us on Mon 26 Feb for an online discussion on exclusive new polling in Scotland & Wales & what it might mean.

@profnicolamcewen.bsky.social
Charlie Buckley @moreincommonuk.bsky.social
Dewi Knight @policywise.bsky.social @chrisdeerin.bsky.social

www.enlighten.scot/event/online...

We’ve been digging into the data, and this one’s going to be good.

Fresh polling on Scotland & Wales: policy priorities, inter‑governmental relations, cross‑nation co‑operation, views on devolved govts, Westminster, and ties with England.

If that’s your cup of tea, grab a spot ☕️📊

Who, what, why, and where: History and the curriculum across the UK and Ireland Our history lessons are never just a straight-forward account of the past. They are based on carefully constructed ideas which shape our sense of who we are and how we understand our place in the worl...

Coming soon... Wise in 5: History in Schools

An upcoming Wise in 5 briefing compares how history is positioned in the curricula, focusing on secondary education in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England.

This blog offers a glimpse of what’s to come: lnkd.in/dh-9hp2C

A discussion about devolution in Scotland & Wales - Enlighten The think tanks Enlighten and PolicyWISE were delighted to host a discussion about devolution in Scotland and Wales and what the nations might learn from one another in the coming years. Both Wales an...

Catch up on our fascinating & informative discussion about Scottish & Welsh devolution in partnership with @policywise.bsky.social. Our panel included Adam Price MS, @kezdugdale.bsky.social, Lee Waters MS, and Paul McLennan MSP. Chaired by @chrisdeerin.bsky.social

www.enlighten.scot/event/online...

HIGHLY COMMENDED! We are pleased that @policywise.bsky.social was runner up in the "1 to watch" category at the inaugural @smartthinking.bsky.social awards. 2 years since we launched website, newsletter & Wise in 5s. What an adventure launching a new initiative to build understanding of devolution.

Bridging divides: lessons in cross-nation collaboration from the PolicyWISE roundtables. Bridging divides: lessons in cross-nation collaboration from the PolicyWISE roundtables. In a time of shifting power dynamics, widening regional disparities, and voting volatility, how can the nations...

Bridging Divides: Lessons in Cross-Nation Collaboration from the PolicyWISE Roundtables from @cmay99.bsky.social

100+ leaders discussed intergovernmental relations and collaborative policymaking across the UK and Ireland.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/bridgi...

🚨Report by @drdonnasmith.bsky.social & Dan Taylor with @policywise.bsky.social out now!

"Engaging the disengaged: a guide for policymakers & campaigners" explores practical ways to engage disengaged groups in democracy.

🔗Read here: fass.open.ac.uk/sites/fass.o...

@openuniversity.bsky.social

Tomorrow our monthly newsletter will land in your inbox with insights into exciting events we have coming up at PolicyWISE, a look back on the last 12 months, our Active Travel Wise in 5 and much more!

There's still time to be added to our mailing list by subscribing here: www.policywise.org.uk

A more collaborative way of governing? Why the UK's Council of the Nations and Regions matters - Bennett Institute for Public Policy The Council of the Nations and Regions represents an opportunity to foster better relations between the key players in the territorial government of the UK – the UK’s central government, its devolved ...

Our report from last month with @policywise.bsky.social on the landscape of UK intergovernmental relations and the role of the Council can be found here: www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/publications...

A more collaborative way of governing? Why the UK's Council of the Nations and Regions matters - Bennett Institute for Public Policy The Council of the Nations and Regions represents an opportunity to foster better relations between the key players in the territorial government of the UK – the UK’s central government, its devolved ...

Starmer is meeting with the devolved heads of government and English regional mayors today for the second instalment of the Council of Nations & Regions

Good time to read our report with @policywise.bsky.social to find out what it is & why it matters!

www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/publications...

@bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk

Watch the Webinar: "A More Collaborative Form of Governance? YouTube video by PolicyWISE

Can tomorrow's Council of Nations & Regions meeting navigate the big and small 'P' politics of national and local #devolution?
Watch our webinar with @michaelkenny.bsky.social @alwalker.bsky.social & Dewi Knight www.youtube.com/watch?v=tru3...
Read our report www.policywise.org.uk/about/inter-...

Devolution is in focus ahead of elections in Wales, Scotland & mayoralties increasing in England. We worked with @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk to explore why the Council of the Nations and Regions matters, its purpose, the English dimension & lessons from abroad.

www.policywise.org.uk/about/inter-...

Watch the Webinar: "A More Collaborative Form of Governance? Watch the Webinar: "A More Collaborative Form of Governance? UK Intergovernmental Relations and the Council of Nations and Regions." You can now watch the recording of our recent webinar, which explored new research calling for a step change in UK Intergovernmental Relations through the Council of the Nations and Regions. We discussed a new model of collaborative governance, the purpose and remit of the Council, the English dimension, and international examples of good intergovernmental relations. Our panellists, and report co-authors, were: Dewi Knight (PolicyWISE, The Open University) Professor Michael Kenny and Alex Walker (The Bennett Institute for Public Policy at the University of Cambridge) The event was chaired by Catherine May (PolicyWISE, The Open University), and took place live on the 13th of May.

Watch the Webinar: "A More Collaborative Form of Governance? UK Intergovernmental Relations and the Council of Nations and Regions." youtu.be/tru34dF5EvQ

The webinar explored new research calling for a step change in UK Intergovernmental Relations through the Council of the Nations and Regions.

What a view! Happy to be back in Llandudno for the launch of the @openuniversity.bsky.social @taipawb.bsky.social report into Tenants’s experience of decarbonising social housing. @policywise.bsky.social we’re looking into how the findings can be shared across UK/Ireland.

🗓 Join our webinar today - Tuesday 13 May at 13:00 - to hear from the authors - @michaelkenny.bsky.social @alwalker.bsky.social & Dewi Knight - & ask your questions.

events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e9af39...

Hear about our new report, co-authored by @michaelkenny.bsky.social @alwalker.bsky.social & Dewi Knight, launching tomorrow in a free webinar on UK Intergovernmental Relations and the Council of the Nations and Regions.
Tuesday 13 May
13:00-14:00
Register: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e9af39...

Tomorrow! Join Dewi Knight, @alwalker.bsky.social and @michaelkenny.bsky.social to hear why the Council of Nations and Regions matters and the importance of working with all UK leaders no matter the politics....
Sign up www.policywise.org.uk/node/671
#intergovernmentalrelations #ukpolitics #webinar

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Free Webinar next Tuesday 1pm, discussing our new research report (alongside @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk) into UK Intergovernmental Relations and the Council of Nations and Regions. Sign up here! events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e9af39...

Why should 16 year olds get the vote? “I think if you’re old enough to go out and work, if you’re old enough to pay your taxes, then you are entitled to have a say on how your taxes are spent. And also we do have voting at a younger age i...

Why should 16 year olds get the vote?

Our latest blog, with contribution from Donna Smith, looks at our most recent Wise in 5: Voting Age, sharing insights from across the UK and Ireland.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-sh...

Check out my Wise in 5 briefing written for @policywise.bsky.social

Should the voting age be lowered to 16 and 17?
www.policywise.org.uk/news/policyw...

@oupolitics.bsky.social @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social

Did you know that in Scotland and Wales, 16 and 17 year olds can already vote in local and devolved elections? Now, there's a growing movement to extend this right across the UK.

Read more in our latest Wise in 5 here: www.policywise.org.uk/news/policyw...

Led by Dr Donna Smith & Dr Dan Taylor, in conjunction with PolicyWISE and Open Societal Challenges, the event offers practical insights into engaging disengaged groups in making change in politics based on a range of current OU projects.

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Mark your calendar for June 3rd, 12–1:30pm (online) for the launch of the ‘Engaging the Disengaged’ toolkit!

🔗 Register now: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/9cf613...

In case you missed it, our latest blog focussed on our Wise in 5 briefing, House First.

Click here to read more: www.policywise.org.uk/node/666

Potholes, funding formula, and the arts: what the UK Spring Statement could mean for all UK governments. There have been rumours, leaks and hints of what will be in the Chancellor’s statement on Wednesday morning, and it seems to be so far, so glum – cuts, increased need for defence spending and an ever-...

This weeks blog discusses what the UK Spring Statement could mean for all UK governments.

You can read this weeks edition and share any feedback here: www.linkedin.com/pulse/pothol...