📢NEW RESOURCE: A new web resource and accompanying report to explore the vulnerabilities to political interference of 33 key UK scientific public bodies & 11 scientific advisory committees! unchecked.uk/public_body_... 1/7

Does* Andy Burnham have a mandate? Constitutionally, yes. The debate is conflating the constitutional mandate and the right to be PM, with the political mandate PMs need to sustain themselves in office New from me www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/does... *Will he

A cut out and keep guide from @cathhaddon.bsky.social for next time some asks if Andy Burnham (read any new leader of the governing party) has a "mandate" to be prime minister. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/does...

10 years! Crazy. Great overview of the IfG's fantastic work on Brexit - this was what I originally joined IfG to do, and I loved every minute of it. Do check out Jill's thread, and come along to our event on Thursday - hear from David Miliband, Marina Wheeler and others!

An excellent collection of quotes from our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect archive

On the 10th anniversary of the referendum, @meganbryer.bsky.social and I have looked into the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect archive to see what ministers involved in getting Brexit done (to coin a phrase) thought about it all... www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...

Seeing a few ‘he’s not handed over to Burnham, he’s insisting on a contest’. He can’t, there has to be a process to actually like become Labour leader. Coronation was always half a contest (nominations). Just no one else standing.

Now that Andy Burnham is returning to Westminster, and possibly heading to Downing Street, what next for constitutional reform? On 9 July, join Frances Foley, @cathhaddon.bsky.social and @lisajames.bsky.social to discuss just this at our free, online event. Sign up 👉️ ucl.zoom.us/webinar/regi....

Andy Burnham has won in Makerfield with 55% of the vote share. But this wasn't your average by-election. Voters in Makerfield could well have determined how long Starmer has left in office, and who could succeed him as the next prime minister. Here's our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk breakdown... 🧵

A bit of a side note, today of all days, but @instituteforgovernment.org.uk analysis of yesteday's civil service staff numbers showed the civil service is *still* growing. FTE numbers were up almost 2,800 in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025. Very much continuing the trend of recent years

If / when a leadership contest takes place the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk will keep you updated with what's happening and our latest analysis. Starting with this from @meganbryer.bsky.social on how a leadership contest would work

Keir Starmer has said he will stand in a Labour leadership contest if one is triggered. So how exactly do Labour Party leadership contests work? Here's what you need to know www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/la...

After an IfG event explored whether private members bills are an effective way for parliament to decide difficult policy issues, @rebeccamckee.bsky.social reflects on what the discussions revealed about the strengths and limitations of the process: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/are-...

NEW: How Keir Starmer can put country before party as his exit looms @drhannahwhite.bsky.social and @alexgathomas.bsky.social call on the PM to seize the initiative and take ownership of the timetable for a transition of power www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir...

The @nao.org.uk have published a new report on Restoration and Renewal of parliament which finds: 👉Difficulty building a shared purpose for R&R among MPs 👉VfM risks in further delaying a decision 👉Issues with current governance model + recommendations going forward

NEW Pivotal report published this morning - 'Improving the institutions: suggested reforms to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive' Read the report here www.pivotalpolicy.org/assets/files...

PODCAST 🎙️ The way you Makerfield @luketryl.bsky.social joins @alexgathomas.bsky.social @hannahkeenan.bsky.social ahead of the Makerfield by-election. PLUS: Burnham/Starmer transition of power. And @cassiarowland.bsky.social on Badenoch's IfG speech www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

Once again (and yes, there is other news now), I have had some thoughts on WhatsApp in government:

Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns announced his resignation yesterday evening, writing that the Defence Investment Plan 'is neither transformative enough nor sufficiently funded'. This brings the total of ministerial resignations from Starmer's govt up to 20. @instituteforgovernment.org.uk

The violent attacks in Belfast have been horrendous. With family there, it’s hard to know what to say. But @timdurrant.bsky.social and I have been looking at how ministers can lead during and after a crisis - and why it matters that the underlying issues aren’t all the same as the rest of the UK

This, plus recent Home Office changes to passport rules for dual nationals raises an interesting question about how people think the government should communicate relevant changes to them. Any good work on this?

John Healey becomes the 19th minister to resign from Keir Starmer's government. Here's a handy recap of all 19 and why they resigned. Read our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explainer on ministerial resignations for more info! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mi...

Defence secretary John Healey has just resigned over the govt's Defence Investment Plan, writing that it "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time". We're getting our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk resignation chart fired back up..

English commentators need to stop analysing Northern Ireland through an English lens! When you see anti-immigrant riots in Belfast, Ballymena or Larne and immediately reach for "Britain's far-right problem", you're missing half the story. This isn't just racism. It's loyalist terrorism. 1/

The 12th July is just over a month away and the lead up starts weeks before. If the UK government and NI executive don't get a grip on this asap it will roll into July, and escalate in Northern Ireland. This is a real test of leadership for both.

A bit of background on racism in Northern Ireland - paper by @rebeccamckee.bsky.social on the warning signs emerging a decade ago www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...

Excellent new piece by @meganbryer.bsky.social on a new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report on relationships between ministers and the civil service - drawing on our extensive Ministers Reflect archive of interviews and IfG recommendations Lessons for both ministers and the civil service

The government announced yesterday that it's launching a democratic engagement fund £2.5m for civil society orgs Aim - to find out what what interventions support groups with historically low turn out and participation to engage in democracy Interesting idea! Very small ££ but one to watch

EVENT | How can government close the early years attainment gap for boys from low-income families? 📅Thursday 18 June 2026, 12:30-13:30 Join us as we explore how government can better serve children at risk of being ‘left behind’ in their earliest years.

TODAY | Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP: keynote speech 📆 Tuesday 9 June , 10:30–11:20 The IfG is pleased to welcome the Leader of the Opposition to give a keynote speech, followed by a Q&A with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social. Register to watch online 📺 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/kemi-b...

ICYMI: Great thread from Megan looking at her and @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social's latest paper from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, on what ministers have told us about their views on the civil service

A new paper published today by @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social and me draws on the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's archive of interviews with former ministers to set out, in ministers’ own words, their experience of working with the civil service... 🧵 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Ahead of our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk event this lunchtime New from @drhannahwhite.bsky.social 👇 www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Join us tomorrow for this event - I'm really looking forward to this discussion about the role of backbenchers in shaping policy. We've got a fantastic panel who have been involved in creating PMBs, explaining them to the public and @danielgover.bsky.social who will be sharing his latest research!

1/ I’ve set out why recent local election gains by opposition parties – especially Reform UK – could make it harder for Labour mayors in the North and Midlands to get things done. A quick thread 🧵

Catching up after two weeks away (travelling round France, didn't crash the hire car, yes it was very hot, had a lovely time, thanks for asking) and there's lots to catch up on from my fab @instituteforgovernment.org.uk colleagues...

EVENT | Are private members' bills a good way for MPs to decide on difficult policy issues? 📅Thursday 4 June, 12:30–13:30 Join us as an expert panel explore the value and effectiveness of private members' bills, and the wider role of backbenchers in shaping policy.

Delighted to guest on one of my favourite podcasts -talking to the brilliant David Runciman about the travails of the current Labour government in historical perspective, alongside Anthony Seldon, David Kelmperer Robert Saunders and Rob Ford open.spotify.com/episode/5kcP...

An interesting discussion about how MPs actually make legislation on difficult issues AND air conditioning?! Join us on 4 June at 12.30pm

EVENT | Are private members' bills a good way for MPs to decide on difficult policy issues? 📅Thursday 4 June, 12:30–13:30 Join us as an expert panel explore the value and effectiveness of private members' bills, and the wider role of backbenchers in shaping policy.

PODCAST 🎙️ May 2026 elections: What are the implications for local government reorganisation? @matthewfright.bsky.social travels across the home counties to find out how a changed political landscape will shape local government reorganisation www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

A good, fixed-term senior researcher job going at SPICe in Holyrood @parliament.scot The role focuses on devolution and constitutional issues, elections and referendums, and parliamentary procedures and scrutiny. #Job #Vacancy #Research #Holyrood 🔗 ce1046li.webitrent.com/ce1046li_web...

What might the Makerfield by-election mean for the Labour party leadership? Our flowchart explores the potential Labour leadership challenges. Read our explainer to find out more about how a Labour Party leadership contest works 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/la...

Second, new ministers will need to use civil service support to get up to speed quickly. Entering government can be a bewildering experience as Nicola Sturgeon recalls, but a minister’s private office can help to ease the transition.

Reflecting on the 2007-11 SNP minority government, former minister Alex Neil advised that minority governments need to think strategically and realistically about what it wants to priorities and what it is open to compromise on.

There are lots of new faces entering government for the first time in Scotland and Wales - particularly in Wales where Plaid Cymru now lead the government @meganbryer.bsky.social and I have been through our devolved ministers reflect archive and drawn out some key lessons for the new ministers 👇

This kind of pledge is unhelpful. Big spending cuts look unlikely under any Labour leader, so this pledge means spending pressures (e.g. from defence/NHS/ongoing crises) are more likely to be met from distortive tweaks to smaller taxes (creating more complexity) www.ft.com/content/2661...

Are private members' bills a good way for MPs to decide on difficult policy issues? On Thursday 4 June, an expert panel will draw on the lessons from the assisted dying bill and other PMBs to consider how backbench MPs should approach complex issues. 📺@drhannahwhite.bsky.social tells us more

Highlight of the week so far: delivering a @ifgacademy.bsky.social session for the @britishacademy.bsky.social Elevate programme with the wonderful @profarlenehh.bsky.social and @teodorgrama.bsky.social. The sun shone in York and delegates were very thoughtful on how best to engage with government.

If you have heard people talking about Jackdaw and Rosebank but are not totally sure what they actually are... ⬇️