Read this excellent piece from @drhannahwhite.bsky.social, and then join us as we discuss the chaos in our webinar tomorrow, 19th May at 10am. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/what-n...

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...

Inbox (almost) zero, out of office on, apps deleted - I'm off for 2 weeks! Where will government be by then...? Tune in to this fab event on Tues, and follow @rebeccamckee.bsky.social, @meganbryer.bsky.social and @philipnye.bsky.social for our analysis on ministerial and parliamentary shenanigans!

Will government grind to a halt as Labour edges towards a leadership contest? Read this FT piece… Then sign up to Tuesday’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk webinar to find how things might really work (or not) in the months ahead.. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/what-n...

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.

How would a Labour leadership contest work? A Labour leadership election can only be triggered if the leader resigns, or if 20% of MPs nominate a challenger. Read our explainer to find out more: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/la...

Legislation is needed to strengthen accountability at the top of government. In the King's Speech, the monarch announced plans to strengthen and safeguard the civil service – an essential commitment which draws on IfG recommendations www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

🎧New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast Brilliant analysis of what this PM - or the next - needs to do differently @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social @timdurrant.bsky.social & former Starmer adviser @claire-ainsley.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

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.

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...

Today's King's Speech marks the State Opening of the second session of parliament following the 2024 general election. So why is it important? What happens before, during and after the speech? And how is it debated and voted on? We explain www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ki...

The PM (well, the King, as if he wasn't busy enough today) has appointed new ministers to fill the gaps created by yesterday's resignations. I wonder whether Natalie Fleet negotiated any commitments out of the PM, given how damning Jess Phillips' letter was on lack of action from No10...

In 2024, the Starmer government announced a suite of reforms to children’s social care. So what would make Josh MacAlister MP, Minister for Children and Families, consider the reforms a success three years from now? 📺 Watch the full discussion www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/childr...

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

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

In the King's Speech, it was announced that the government will bring forward proposals to strengthen and improve the civil service. @alexgathomas.bsky.social says this is a huge moment for government reform. 📖 Read our view on how to achieve this www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

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

Now underway 🚨- do tune in live and submit your questions for our panel via Slido www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/childr...

As more ministers resign from Keir Starmer's government, follow @meganbryer.bsky.social for all the latest IfG analysis.

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...

TOMORROW | What does the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act mean for children’s social care? Join us at 14:00 to hear @amberdellar.bsky.social, Josh MacAlister MP and Rachael Wardell explore the next steps for children’s social care reform www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/childr...

Starting now!

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.

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

some useful ideas from Moira Wallace who ran the Social Exclusion Unit under Blair on how to make things happen in govt labourlist.org/2026/05/the-... and here is her @instituteforgovernment.org.uk case study www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

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 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

Polls are open until 10pm for the Scottish Parliament, Senedd and English local elections. In our latest piece, @shawharriet.bsky.social and I discuss the Scottish and Welsh parties' competing visions for independence and further devolution – and the big questions they leave for Westminster.

This letter from the PM goes to some of the themes from our recent @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect interviews, including this point from Steve Baker:

On now!

Today at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, we publish a brand new set of Ministers Reflect interviews with Steve Baker, Gillian Keegan and Danny Alexander. They discussed what makes for effective ministerial leadership, the challenges of the role and their proudest achievements in post...

Polls are open till 22:00 for the Senedd, Scottish Parliament and English local elections. To find out more details about the elections head over to the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk local and devolved elections hub www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...

Heading to the polls tomorrow for the local elections? Our video sets out where in England 4,850 councillors will be elected and why these elections matter. Read the full explainer for more analysis www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...

My first - and hopefully last - outing as a royal correspondent for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk . Huge success that failed to shift the dial (unless you are a distiller)

Tomorrow, voters head to the polls for the Senedd and Scottish Parliament elections. Sign up to today’s @instituteforgovernment.org.uk in person and online pre-election briefing on likely outcomes and their implications for decision makers in Cardiff Bay, Holyrood and Westminster. Details below.

WEBINAR | Civil service leadership, diversity and morale 📆Thursday 07 May 2026 (tomorrow), 12:00-12:45 Join us for the third of our 'A state rewired?' series exploring the findings of Whitehall Monitor 2026 and the people who make up the civil service workforce, including diversity and morale.

Ministers and officials are no strangers to working under pressure. So how can they do it well? Our comment sets out some key lessons from our recent report on policy making in a crisis www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

EVENT | Local and devolved elections 2026: Who won, who lost and what next? 📆Friday 08 May 2026, 16:00-17:00 Join us online to reflect on the local and devolved election results, including the implications on local government reorganisation and devolution plans.

Ahead of this week's devolved elections, we have hosted a series of events with Scottish and Welsh party leaders to discuss their plans and priorities Watch as we explore the key issues at stake in Scotland and Wales Follow our elections 2026 hub: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...

EVENT | Local and devolved elections 2026: Who won, who lost and what next? 📆Friday 08 May 2026, 16:00-17:00 Join us online to reflect on the local and devolved election results, including the implications on local government reorganisation and devolution plans.

In one week, local elections will be taking place across the country Ministers should take the opportunity of LGR to introduce all-out elections for all councils in place of elections by third and halves www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

Ministers and officials are no strangers to working under pressure. So how can they do it well? @rosahodgkin.bsky.social and @timdurrant.bsky.social set out some key lessons from our recent report on policy making in a crisis www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

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?

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...

Parliament will be prorogued today, signalling the end of the 2024-26 parliamentary session. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/pr... But what progress did the government make on its legislative agenda? Our graphic sets out the status of the government's King's Speech bills

Parliament will be prorogued today until 13 May when it meets again for the state opening What does proroguing parliament mean? How is prorogation different from adjournment, recess and dissolution? Read our explainer to find out more: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/pr...

EVENT | A keynote speech by Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing and Planning 📆Wednesday 29 April 2026 (tomorrow), 14:30 — 15:30 Join us tomorrow as Matthew Pennycook MP gives a speech on leasehold reform and the move to commonhold. The speech will be followed by an audience Q&A.

We haven't posted on Bluesky about the IfG Academy's work for a while – but we've been really busy. Here's a round-up of what we've been up to www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ifg-academy

How to rebuild trust inside government after the Mandelson affair Our comment piece sets out what needs to happen to fix the damage to the already bruised relationship between ministers and civil servants www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rebu...