The UK is not ungovernable, and claiming that it is is a dereliction of responsibility. Government has serious deficiencies but we have also had a series of leaders who lack the skills to govern - my latest comment for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/is-u...

Thirty-seven bills were announced in the 2026 King's Speech. However, with big questions about whether the government can deliver on its plans, it is a legislative programme which may end up leaving many unsatisfied www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/king...

Is the UK ungovernable? A question that the IfG has been asked a few times this week... So here's the official verdict from @drhannahwhite.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/is-u...

A King's Speech which aims to please everyone - but may end up leaving many unsatisfied.. Brilliant @instituteforgovernment.org.uk colleagues bring you 10 key takeaways from the King's Speech - & what it says about the government's priorities. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/king...

10 things we learned in the King's Speech, from across the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Lots of interesting insights and analysis from across the - really quite broad - range of plans from the government.

EVENT | What does the elections bill mean for the next general election? 📅Monday 18 May, 12:30-13:30 Join us as we discuss how lowering the voting age to 16 and restricting political donations could impact how elections are run.

As the UK government wobbles, the one at the other end of the M4 is getting set up - yesterday Welsh ministers were approved by the Senedd. Ahead of the election, we set out the mistakes they needed to avoid as they took office www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/new-...

Health secretary Wes Streeting has just resigned from government, writing in his resignation letter that he has lost confidence in the PM - "where we need vision, we have vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift". We're live updating our chart here at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Ok so yes, looks like he was.

On the order paper for today. Do we think Wes Streeting is a bit distracted and forgot to submit his homework on time?

Our updated explainer has the latest on the number of ministers, their salaries and a breakdown of their constituencies! 4/4 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/go...

Some expanded thoughts welcoming the King’s Speech proposals on reforming the civil service - from @drhannahwhite.bsky.social and me @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

It may not be making many headlines today, but the King’s Speech had some very welcome words about civil service reform And it’s a big win for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk too @drhannahwhite.bsky.social and @alexgathomas.bsky.social explain why: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

EVENT | An estimated £10.9 billion of Covid-19 spending was lost to fraud and error. So what lessons should be learned from the pandemic to avoid fraud in future crises? Join us on Thursday 11 June, 12:30, when we will discuss with an expert panel www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/lesson...

Looking forward to this - discussing what we can learn about PMBs from the recent failed passage of the assisted dying bill.

EVENT | Lessons from the assisted dying bill: Are private members bills a good way to change the law? 📅 Tuesday 4 June Join us as @paulbrand.bsky.social @danielgover.bsky.social @kimleadbeatermp.bsky.social, Luke Norbury discuss how MPs outside of government can fulfil their role as legislators

Keir Starmer has brought some new faces into government following yesterday's resignations More from my colleague @meganbryer.bsky.social here 👇

And we’ve done the work! Here’s our plan for a new Civil Service Act - including the text of the legislation www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/defaul...

Really exciting news in the King’s Speech - delighted to see the govt adopting our ideas to legislate to strengthen and improve the civil service. Amid the political turbulence this should be a massive moment for government reform

It's a big day for big news in a big King's Speech! Among the announcements today the government said it will bring forward proposals to strengthen and improve the civil service. Lots more from colleagues who have done the work on this already 👇

For those of you who are interested and I know there are at least one or two of you. It looks as if the government doesn't need to introduce a new hybrid bill for the northern powerhouse rail project. It plans to amend the High Speed Rail (Crewe - Manchester) Bill instead.

4 quick thoughts on the King's Speech 1) It's BIG - 37 bills in the background briefing including carried over and draft bills Very unusual for a second parliamentary session - it's very unlikely all of these will end up on the statute book by the end of the session

On a procedural point- the debate on King’s Speech will start later on tomorrow, with PM and LOTO speaking. Then there will be several days of debate in the Commons with each day taking a different theme- usually chosen by the LOTO.

Re-upping this because i saw on the other place someone going down the 'but could they use a King's Speech defeat to oust him?'. Again, to reiterate, endlessly, a confidence defeat in the Commons means either the government *as a whole* is ousted. Not just the PM.

Well, we're probably getting a new head of government today - in Cardiff, where the Senedd has just appointed its Presiding Officer and Deputy, and presumably will now vote through the appointment of the First Minister

Follow @meganbryer.bsky.social for updates on any ministerial resignations and spare a thought for her as she keeps the IfG resignations chart up to date...

Also: Can you delay it? Technically yes, by extending prorogation. But that would delay Parliament resuming and would probably look worse than the awks of having it. Plus, for how long? A whole leadership contest?? No that wouldn't work.

Great work from @meganbryer.bsky.social updating our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk ministerial resignation chart with Miatta Fahnbulleh's decision You can see our full list of resignations since 1979 here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

Miatta Fahnbulleh - the minister for devolution, faith and communities - has resigned from govt this morning, calling on the PM to set a timetable for an orderly transition of leadership. Our ministerial resignation tracker has the latest info... docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

After the 'make or break' PM speech, commentary may move on to the 'make of break' King's speech on Wednesday. But how easily can you make changes to that at this stage? Small, but significant changes, maybe. Wholesale change not so much.

There are pros and cons for the government in having a record number of Parliamentary Private Secretaries (PPSs) on the books The cons obviously include there being more people who can quit the role and cause quite the headache...

There is something that I think multiple successive prime ministers over the last decade or so have failed to grasp and to respond to: that the way backbench MPs see their role has shifted.

Steve Baker, Danny Alexander and Gillian Keegan reflect on their ministerial careers When the job gets tough, ministers say that a sense of purpose and personal motivation – and the right team – make the difference, writes @meganbryer.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mini...

It's Monday – and there's plenty to unpack following the results of the 2026 elections. As the PM delivered his speech this morning, @timdurrant.bsky.social told us what the IfG's experts will be focusing on this week. Read our latest comment 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/sign...

After several days of fast-moving local, devolved and national politics, why not join an event tomorrow lunchtime on a topic that's equally fascinating but has moved (so far) at a slower pace: @rebeccamckee.bsky.social will chair a panel on restoration and renewal of the UK Parliament building.

I fear Labour people risk falling into an ecological fallacy visible from space when reacting to these results. Here is what is very clear in results so far: Labour are losing *seats* to Reform, but... Labour are losing *votes* to the Greens Greens split the vote, Ref comes thru middle

BBC: Labour sources confirming that, as polls had indicated, Eluned Morgan will lose her seat in the Senedd. This would be the first time *ever* that a serving Head of Govt in the UK (either at UK or devolved level) has lost re-election to their respective legislature #Senedd26 #Senedd

Turnout in the Senedd election looks set to be above 50% for the first time since devolution began. Lots of possible explanations: A competitive contest, a potential change of government, more choice, polarising parties, and a new electoral system

These results are messy and alongside other work today I'm struggling to work out what it all means BUT it is clear that with a more fragmented politics we need a much better understanding across the board of what local councils/ mayors actually do-what they are responsible for and what they are not

Next week all eyes will be on the Palace of Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament. But the palace itself is in need of substantial repair. So how should parliament approach the major restoration project? Join us Monday 11 May to explore what next for restoration and renewal of parliament

The restoration & renewal project presents one of the most challenging large-scale restoration projects for the UK Join us next Monday 11 May as our expert panel explores how to take this forward and what it means for people working in parliament and those who will design and deliver the project

With vote counting still underway, join us live at 16:00 as we explore the implications of the results, who won, who lost and what next. With @matthewfright.bsky.social @meganisaac.bsky.social @shawharriet.bsky.social @akashpaun.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/local-...

How do you restore and reimagine a parliament for the future? It is a huge project, if done well it could reinvigorate a democratic institution but what does R&R mean for parliament, staff, industry, suppliers and the public? Join us next Monday! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/what-n...

"What next for restoration and renewal of parliament?" Join us on Monday 11 May as we explore how R&R could reimagine an historic landmark for future generations & what the project could mean for parliament, industry and the wider public Link below www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/what-n...

The full interview transcripts are available on our website along with this blog piece from me summarising the main themes.

We have three fantastic new Ministers Reflect interviews out today - all with different experiences and reflections on the role. Lots of great advice in there for current and future ministers too 👇

🧵1/ Health is increasingly being discussed in the security arena. COVID‑19 showed that weak health systems can destabilise economies, governments, and societies. Yet global health is slipping down the security agenda. We @friendseurope.bsky.social set out the issues @bmj.com

We're exploring the future of the restoration and renewal of the Houses of Parliament, and what a parliament of the future should be like. We're delighted to be working with the Royal Institute of British Architects. Join us in-person or online: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/what-n...

How do you restore and reimagine a parliament for the future? It is a huge project, if done well it could reinvigorate a democratic institution but what does R&R mean for parliament, staff, industry, suppliers and the public? Join us next Monday! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/what-n...

Our new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report lists 10 things the government needs to do to fix the children's social care market. 👇I've done a little run down of some of the key charts