IfG Events
Institute for Government
The Labour government has a huge majority in parliament – but Keir Starmer’s administration is also facing an incredibly complex set of policy challenges. So how can the prime minister and his team turn around public service performance? What can chancellor Rachel Reeves do to get the economy growing again? What will mission-driven government actually mean in practice? Who should be making the key decisions in Westminster – and beyond? And what will the appointment of a new cabinet secretary mean for the future direction of the civil service?From reforming how the centre of government works to the battle for the future of the civil service, from making a success of levelling up to achieve net zero goals, IfG EVENTS stimulate fresh thinking and share ideas about how government works – and how it could work better.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 30, 2020 • 53min
The Good, the SpAd and the ugly: Special advisers in government
Special Advisers or SpAds play a key role in government, giving ministers political advice and working as all-purpose fixers. In the latest of the IfG’s virtual live events, we ask how they fit into the new administration’s vision of how government should work. Should we accept that we need more, not fewer temporary political appointees to oil the wheels of government? How can ministers get the best out of their SpAds? Do ministers need training in how to manage them – and do SpAds need protection? Plus the threat of what guest John McTernan calls “drastic SpAdflation”. Discussing the changing role of SpAds with Tim Durrant, Associate Director at the Institute for Government, are:
Baroness Simone Finn, former adviser to Francis Maude
John McTernan, former adviser to Tony Blair
Salma Shah, former adviser to Sajid Javid
“Some ministers do appoint comfort blankets rather than special advisors… Bad SpAds are their own punishment.” – John McTernanPresented by Tim Durrant. Audio production by Alex Rees See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 25, 2020 • 32min
Inside the emergency CORONA BILL with Shami Chakrabarti, Shadow Attorney General
The emergency Corona Virus Bill contains the most sweeping executive powers we’ve ever seen in Britain – yet the situation is so dire that it has cross-party support. How did we get here? What safeguards does the Bill contain and does the Government have the balance right between emergency provisions and fundamental rights? How does it fit with the Government’s previous views on the Human Rights Act and judicial review? Shadow Attorney General Baroness Shami Chakrabarti and IfG Director Bronwen Maddox discuss the enormity of this unprecedented Bill. “This is an extraordinary piece of legislation for an extraordinary moment.” – Shami ChakrabartiPresented by Bronwen Maddox. Audio production by Alex Rees. Because of isolation protocols this podcast was recorded via Skype. Please excuse the sound quality in this instance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 23, 2020 • 36min
The Johnson Government: The first hundred days
Boris Johnson’s government has just passed the 100 day mark since the 2019 General Election, a traditional moment to assess how a new administration is doing so far. But the entire political and economic environment has changed beyond imagination in just a week. Is the Johnson Government back to square one? How are his pledges faring up against the reality of Britain’s greatest challenge since 1939? How can Britain reflate a collapsed economy while trying to keep people out of the shops? Will any of its emergency renationalisations end up permanent? And is there any bandwidth left for Brexit?Joining Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government, to discuss the most seismic week in British politics in 80 years are the following experts from the IfG:
Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist
Joe Owen, Programme Director, Brexit
Nick Davies, Programme Director, Public Services
Alex Thomas, Programme Director, Civil Service
Audio production by Alex Rees See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 19, 2020 • 44min
Prime Minister and Chancellor: Decoding the titans at the top
The Institute for Government’s renowned debates will take place online for the duration of the Corona Emergency. Our first podcast panel discusses the fascinating relationship between the two most most powerful politicians in the country, the PM and the Chancellor. What can make it work and what makes it break down? What might Boris Johnson’s and Rishi Sunak’s relationship mean for the effectiveness of this government? And are they equal to the enormity of the Coronavirus challenge?Our panel includes:
Baroness Kate Fall, Senior Adviser at Brunswick and Former Adviser to David Cameron
Torsten Bell, Chief Executive at Resolution Foundation and former adviser to Alistair Darling
Robert Shrimsley, Chief Political Commentator at the Financial Times
Hosted by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Audio production by Alex Rees at Podmasters. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
