Causes I support
Principles
Public control of data and systems
Public bodies should not depend on software they rent, cannot inspect, and cannot leave. Important systems and people's data should sit under public control, with in-house skills and open standards. Do not lock them into a few commercial suppliers.
Security operations and fraud prevention
Design security operations and fraud prevention into the service. Do not add them later. I design flows so unusual behaviour is easier to see. Do not rely on a product you cannot inspect to spot abuse.
Contact people. Do not wait for them to apply
People should not have to hunt for what they are entitled to. Government should contact them at the right time, with the right support. That needs careful, lawful data sharing so people tell government once. Services should follow life events, such as having a child or starting a business, not the boundaries of departments.
Use AI to support judgement, not replace it
Use artificial intelligence (AI) when it helps you think, learn and act. It should support human judgement, not replace it. I do not support uses that make people dependent, blur what they wrote, or hand thinking to a system that distorts the facts.
Mentor by giving people room to decide
Mentoring should give people room to decide, not instructions from above. Flat structures help people learn and give feedback. Both people should share experience and ask questions.
Organisations I support
I support organisations that work on democratic reform, the environment and workers’ rights.
Fabian Society (opens in a new tab)The Fabian Society campaigns for gradual reform and for policy based on evidence.
Surfers Against Sewage (opens in a new tab)A UK charity that campaigns for cleaner seas, less plastic and better water quality.
United Tech and Allied Workers (UTAW) (opens in a new tab)
A union for tech workers. It is a national branch of the Communication Workers Union (CWU). It represents people whose work powers the tech industry.
Electoral Reform Society (opens in a new tab)An independent organisation that campaigns for democratic reform and proportional representation.