I regret to inform the rest of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk that @alexgathomas.bsky.social is now singing his version of 'the blair necessities' to whoever is around

PODCAST 🎙️ The Blair Necessities Henry Hill joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social to explore Danny Kruger's blueprint for government. AND: Is Tony Blair's essay a sensible plan for the PM to follow? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

Just love that UK politics is now wannabe PMs writing essays in response to essays written by former PMs like it's the mid-19th century all over again. Has UK politics peaked? Probably not.

Can’t tell you how much tweaking went into getting this slightly-more-complicated-than-you’d-think graphic right… Excellent work from @melissaittoo.bsky.social as ever

PODCAST 🎙 Burnham Issues With Andy Burnham inching closer to a return to Westminster, Sam White, Keir Starmer's former chief of staff, joins the team to explore what happens next - and what the PM can do while this drama plays out around him: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

In which i worry about the constitutional literacy of our politicians. Two recent examples of mistaken, or deliberate misreading, of core principles about the role of PM and the issue of confidence. @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...

We do need to have a much better conversation about how parties should prepare themselves for office. Particularly on policy. The tensions between the campaign to win and the platform to govern are even more acute if you’re doing it through the lens of a by-election…

What are Jackdaw and Rosebank? Amid heightened debate, following fossil fuel supply disruptions, Ed Miliband will have to make decisions on the oil and gas projects. @rosahodgkin.bsky.social and @jillongovt.bsky.social are on-hand to explain: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ja...

WEBINAR | Chaos returns to Westminster: What next for Keir Starmer and the government? 📅Tomorrow, 10:00-11:00 Join us as resignations, revolt and uncertainty shake Starmer's leadership. Our expert panel is on hand to brief you on what an explosive week in Westminster means for the government.

EVENT | Chaos returns to Westminster: What next for Keir Starmer and the government? 📅Tuesday 19 May, 10:00-11:00 Join us as resignations, revolt and uncertainty shake Starmer's leadership. Our expert panel is on hand to brief you on what an explosive week in Westminster means for the government.

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...

UK government

The King’s Speech promised proposals to strengthen and safeguard the civil service – an essential and overdue commitment which draws on long-standing IfG recommendations www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

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

PSA: @samcoatessky.bsky.social on the pod this morning said a leadership contest would mean government would be restrained on decision making because gov would be 'effectively in government purdah and that principle that big government decisions go on hold'. That isn't accurate.

My favourite overheard conversation on the route over to Millbank (always get something) is now the two cameramen/ engineers walking their equipment away from the green: ‘yes it was secret, but at least you had Graham Brady’

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

New ministerial appointments have been made following yesterday's 4 resignations. Our updated waffle chart and explainer has the latest info... 1/4

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.

ok, it's 4pm so doing some quick maths for no good reason. 103 backbenchers and PPSs (there's about 50 PPSs, minus the ones who've resigned but the lists aren't updated) 117 ministers (3 resigned today not yet replaced?) SO that's 220. 90(?) have come out against. I make that 93 MPs left?

Somehow, explaining who Chuka Umunna is/ was to the younger staff has segued into explaining what Big Break show was and I for one am very confused now. Is it still Tuesday? Has it been Tuesday all day or have we had other days?

We’re not quite at the timeposting the chart stage (see Johnson 5-7 July 2022) but not far off

They're live-updating The Chart.

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.

It's been a while since I've had to talk someone through the 1923-24 Baldwin King's speech defeat example. Had to warm up some memory synapses I've not used in a few years...

“The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered." + Darren Jones this morning saying PM still had support, despite the resignations. And MPs were out yesterday saying that they supported PM. And yet it still feels like herd is moving. So (hear me out)..

Said it in 2023, saying it again now

Looks like the PM is going to have a ‘make or break’ sleep followed by a ‘make or break’ breakfast and etc etc

Did you know that the Swiss Federal Presidency rotates after a year so everyone gets a go? They are primus inter pares among the Cabinet (technically UK position) but they remain head of their department while also taking on the presidency (not UK approach). Sometimes fun to contemplate.

Fascinating event on a project that is a metaphor for much of what is wrong with governing in the UK. come along

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.

As we wait for the PM‘s speech, and to see how Catherine West (and the cabinet?) respond, here’s your handy Labour leadership contests revision guide from @meganbryer.bsky.social and @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/la...

Next week is the state opening of parliament and we have a great panel for a fascinating discussion about what happens now for parliamentary restoration and renewal [I don't know if anyone on the panel shares my "push it into the river and start again"* position - looking forward to finding out!]

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

Conservatives take control in Westminster and are also now the biggest party in Wandsworth But might be a poisoned chalice: both councils have to raise their council tax by something like 75% over the next three years

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 👇

Just did a quick bit on the radio about the end of the Parliamentary session, prorogation and ping pong. All the Ps. So let's get into that....

Insight for anyone who doesn't know how reshuffles work in the building... Thornberry: Why is he texting you if you're both in No.10? McSweeney: because he wasn't in the room There are *quite a lot* of rooms in No10 and related complex...

As we listen to Philip Barton....some thoughts on the evidence on Mandelson vetting from Ian Collard, published by foreign affairs committee last night committees.parliament.uk/publications...

As ever, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk with a ready to go explainer to deep dive on the privileges committee. This and my thread thanks to the expertise of @aliceolilly.bsky.social and @rebeccamckee.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/pr...

The Commons Speaker has allowed a debate and vote to go ahead tomorrow on whether the PM should be investigated by the Privileges Committee. So what is the Committee and what is the process?

You don't *have* to speak a different UK language to work at IfG, but if you do you *will* get put in front of a camera. Fab work by @howesdaniel.bsky.social and @meganbryer.bsky.social! Any Cornish speakers out there?

This is lovely for Peter. I'm sure both he and his family will be thoroughly chuffed. As will all the many many students of Peter (me included) who wouldn't be doing what they are doing today if not for his remarkable knowledge and expertise, astute guidance and unfailingly enthusiastic support.

Mewn pythefnos, bydd pobl yng Nghymru yn mynd i bleidleisio yn y saethfed etholiad Seneddol ers sefydlu datganoli yn 1999. Mae @meganbryer.bsky.social a @howesdaniel.bsky.social yn esbonio beth sydd yn y fantol yn yr etholiadau yma www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/se...

I did not have @faisalislam.bsky.social walks in playing Rishi Sunak out loud as i’m mid flow on Newscast on my bingo list for today. When my mother listens back I would like her to know the production team thought I was a pro in keeping going.

As someone deep into my Duolingo streak, I’d like to say ‘you will wish to consider’ in civil service means ‘issues include’. It does not translate directly to ‘you must consider’ and is probably not considered “Advice”.

It’s a fair point particularly when you think about the spy and other scandals from Fuchs/ Cambridge 5 onwards. (I’m not sure those waiting months to take up jobs in the civil service would agree but that’s more the getting a laptop / pass side rather than this)

Watch now!

Robbins describes the atmosphere / message from no10 on vetting: "It wasn't just 'please get this done quickly', it was also 'get it done'"