New BFPG Guest Paper: Britain Backed Greenland's Autonomy - What does that mean for Wales?

As the government was forced by its backbenchers into yet another retreat this week over the opposition's humble address, @jackpannell.bsky.social argues this increasingly muscular parliament may begin to push the government in an area where it has historically had little say: Foreign policy.

Our Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social spoke spoke to Steve Holden on LBC about the Prime Minister’s response to Presdient Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs on the UK and other European allies over Greenland.

Some thoughts from this morning's speech by the Prime Minister.

Another big day in foreign policy. What to expect/look out for: 1. Iran - a slight de-escalation this morning after an intense night. Trump wants any US strike to take out the regime. That is difficult given US military build up in the Caribbean due to their attacks on Venezuela.

Excited to share my first joint blog post at the British Foreign Policy Group with @evieaspinall.bsky.social. We reflect on the attack on Venezuela over the weekend and what it might men for the future of the rules based order.

PODCAST 🎙️ Four mayors delayed, three ministers reflect, and a House of Lords battle renewed @drhannahwhite.bsky.social is in the studio with @akashpaun.bsky.social @rebeccamckee.bsky.social @jackpannell.bsky.social Listen to the Inside Briefing 🎧 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

Last week at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, we published a new set of Ministers Reflect interviews with Sajid Javid, Simon Hart and Theresa Villiers. My comment piece below explores the key lessons Starmer's govt can take from these reflections. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/less...

One of the best thing we do at IfG (in my unbiased opinion) is the Ministers Reflect archive. Megan has summarised our three most recent interviews here, but cannot reccomend enough going down the rabbit-hole of Ministers Reflect interviews as some pre-xmas procrastination.

1/ Last month, the government released a new list of its parliamentary private secretaries and cabinet committees following September’s reshuffle. Our explainers are updated with the new numbers! Here are some key takeaways from the releases…

This afternoon my colleagues at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk will be discussing the second covid inquiry report. Join us online at lunchtime & bring your questions - see you there! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/covid-...

Worth noting here as well that- unlike in the Commons, where the Speaker selects which amendments are debated- in the Lords, any peer can insist on having their amendment debated and voted on (although there aren't *usually* lots of amendments pushed to a vote)

New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk comment from me The chaos surrounding the grooming gangs inquiry last week highlights much deeper problems with the way the government sets up public inquiries www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/groo...

The new Ethics and Integrity Commission has launched today, with a shiny new website (outside the gov. uk brand!) We spoke to its chair, Doug Chalmers, earlier in the year about the new body and its work... eic.independent-commission.uk

1/ If you've been itching to know how the size of the civil service has changed... we at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have you covered. I've crunched the numbers from the latest ONS data release, which you can read about here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ci...

Trump's decaf decertification ends months of anxiety in #Colombia — where soaring #cocaine production has stoked fears of sweeping #U.S. sanctions — but deals a symbolic blow to a country that has historically been one of #Washington's closest allies in the region. www.npr.org/2025/09/16/n...

Huge new numbers of MPs have been appointed as parliamentary private secretaries in the reshuffle. The government needs to use them well to rebuild links with its MPs, rather than just as a way to buy some of them off

Labour has announced their new PPSs, not part of government, but expected to vote with the party. Just one of the 52 signed the reasoned amendment to the welfare bill. So no ministers and just one PPS from those that rebelled. Indicates a clear approach to MP dissidence from the leadership.

Here's the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk 'seven things we learned from Keir Starmer's reshuffle' from @jackpannell.bsky.social @timdurrant.bsky.social and I with data from @philipnye.bsky.social & our now updated Ministers Database www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/seve...

Angela Rayner's resignation on Friday means that a contest to replace her as deputy leader of the Labour Party has started. Read my first explainer at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk to find out how the process will work, who is running, and when will we find out who Rayner's successor will be!

I reported earlier this year that Labour peers were calling for new limits on debates following an increase in the number of votes taking place in the early hours This doesn't seem to have changed - Ben Riley-Smith highlights a 3:47am finish this morning www.politicshome.com/news/article...

With nominations for deputy leader closing tomorrow, @meganbryer.bsky.social has you covered for how the Deputy leadership election will run, who is in the running, and when we can expect Rayner's successor to take up their post. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/20...

Over on @instituteforgovernment.org.uk live blog we're posting our 'cabinet flashcards' - key info on who's who in Starmer's reshuffled cabinet. Helping you prepare for - presumably - the hottest round at every pub quiz this week (if your local one hasn't been cancelled due to tube strikes...)

As the second reshuffle of the week kicks off, we have launched our liveblog. We will be covering all the ins and outs as well as top analysis from our IfG experts. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

Posting this again because now I’ve had chance to look at it in detail - Starmer is *well* ahead of other recent PMs when it comes to resignations at this point in their tenure. Not all because of scandal (though several are) - also higher pressure and expectations on ministers generally?

Reshuffle has started Lucy Powell out as Leader of the Commons Ian Murray out as Scottish Secretary

While all eyes have been on Angela Rayner's big announcement, she was not the only minister to go - reports are that Poppy Gustafsson has resigned as UK investment minister meaning 11 ministers have officially resigned (and 1 has been sacked) from the government since the GE

With Rayner stepping down we have hit 10 minister's who have oficially resigned from this government. Make sure you are following @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social @timdurrant.bsky.social @rebeccamckee.bsky.social meganbryer.bsky.social for what Starmer will do next with his minsiterial team.

📎REPORT: Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure Hybrid bills help approve major infrastructure projects, but recent cases show inefficiencies. This paper suggests reforms to improve the process and unlock the potential of hybrid bills. Read the report:👇 zurl.co/m7cUv

New report from my colleagues @jackpannell.bsky.social & @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social on hybrid bills and parliament's role in delivering the government's major infrastructure projects Excellent insight into these bills and the reform that's needed www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure @jackpannell.bsky.social and Patrick McAlary uncover key issues around hybrid bills and provide recommendations that will assist future infrastructure projects. Read the report: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

The Government cramming Committee, Report & 3rd Reading into 1 day the week after 2nd Reading (so much for intervals between stages...) means if they pull the Bill they will have 2 days of Commons business to fill. But of greater concern is that this timetable has important implications for...

So.... Some of us are old enough to remember when the Truss govt got itself into a complete mess (worse mess) by confusion over confidence votes. The PM has now said he doesn't see it as a confidence vote *in him* But to be clear, confidence votes are A Thing. Quick 🧵

📣New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report & guide on ministerial leadership during crises Most government ministers will face a crisis of one type or another in office – and this can be make or break. So how can a minister successfully prepare for crises and what roles can they play? 🧵

Most of the focus ahead of the SR has been on how much money depts get. That's understandable, money makes a difference But it's not just about the amount of money, but how departments spend it Here's a summary of how we think the govt can spend money on public services more effectively

At our @ukandeu.bsky.social @fpalondon.bsky.social briefing yesterday @anandmenon.bsky.social said that for many politicians Brexit was in the past. So I asked @jackpannell.bsky.social @instituteforgovernment.org.uk to crunch some numbers on how many MPs now were in Parliament in 2016

#IWD2025 and modernising parliament: Lucy Powell 🎧 Listen to our event with the leader of the @houseofcommons.parliament.uk on the role of women in parliament and how the Modernisation Committee can help make the House more accessible and inclusive www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/intern...

So this is rather special! Keir Starmer joined us on our Inside Briefing podcast today for an in-depth chat about his plans for civil service reform - landing in your podcast feed tonight!

We’ve just recorded this week’s Inside Briefing - with the prime minister joining us following today’s speech in Yorkshire. @drhannahwhite.bsky.social’s interview with Keir Starmer will be landing in your podcast feeds tonight www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-podcasts...

As ever, @finnbaker.bsky.social has spotted an interesting update from the government - political parties will now have to explain *why* they are nominating someone to the House of Lords - and this will be published questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...

So the assisted dying bill has passed second reading. My superb colleague @finnbaker.bsky.social sets what happens now. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ki...

Amid the discussion of citizens' assemblies and the assisted dying bill, some thoughts... CAs can be a v useful tool to understand what the public think on a complex issue. We know participants can get to grips with technical detail and good facilitation can ensure high quality deliberation.