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IfG Events

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May 2, 2024 • 1h 1min

Local and mayoral elections 2024: Why they matter and what to look out for

On Thursday 2 May 2024, voters across England and Wales will head to the polls in a major set of local and mayoral elections. The highest-profile contests will be the election of 10 influential metro mayors – including in Greater London and across the north and the midlands. Together these leaders will be responsible for over £25bn of public spending and will play a vital role in shaping the fortunes of the places they represent.Thousands of councillors in over 100 local areas across England are also up for election, with the successful candidates taking responsibility for key public services at a time of acute financial pressures across local government. Voters will also elect 37 police and crime commissioners and the 25 members of the London Assembly.These elections are far more important than just providing a straw in the wind for the general election to come. To discuss why these elections matter and what to expect, the Institute for Government hosted a public event with expert panellists including: • Sarah Calkin, Editor of the Local Government Chronicle • Sir John Curtice, Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University and Senior Research Fellow at the National Centre for Social Research• Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for GovernmentThe event was chaired by Emma Norris, Deputy Director at the Institute for Government Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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May 1, 2024 • 1h 14min

General election: How can the parties improve ethical standards in government?

Trust in government and politicians continues to fall, and this parliament has seen many ethical scandals, from partygate to bullying. Over the last few years, various organisations including the IfG have called for major reforms to the way ethical standards are upheld in public life, but the government has only made piecemeal changes. Labour has criticised the Conservatives for their performance on this issue, but has recently been less vocal on the topic. With an election due in the coming months, will the political parties make ethical standards an issue during the campaign?  To discuss the IfG’s proposals on rebuilding trust in public life, how things can be improved, and why this topic matters ahead of the election, we were pleased to welcome a great panel: • Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government• Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Shadow Minister Without Portfolio (Cabinet Office) and Labour MP for Torfaen• Esther Webber, Senior UK Correspondent at Politico• Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Wright MP, Conservative MP for Kenilworth and Southam and former Attorney GeneralThe event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Apr 30, 2024 • 1h 4min

General election: What role does polling play in shaping political strategy?

Less than a year out from a general election, the significance of opinion polls in shaping public perception and political strategy is increasingly prominent. Political pundits, parties, journalists and members of the public look to opinion polls to give them a picture of what people are thinking about parties and politicians, their priorities and concerns, and how they might vote. Crucially, public opinion will inform political parties’ election strategies and the public’s voting decisions.But with multiple companies publishing a range of different polls, it can be a confusing landscape. To interpret polling results, understanding the methodologies behind opinion polls, including sampling, margin of error and the all-important question framing, is more important than ever. And for those trying to understand party strategies, it is essential to understand the role polling plays.To explore these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel including:• Kelly Beaver MBE, Chief Executive of Ipsos in the UK and Ireland• Christabel Cooper, Director of Research at Labour Together• Rob Ford, Senior Fellow at UK in a Changing Europe• Tom Lubbock, Founding Partner of JL PartnersThe event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 28, 2024 • 1h 11min

General Election: How big a threat is AI and disinformation to elections in 2024?

AI-generated ‘deepfake’ audio clips of both London mayor Sadiq Khan and leader of the opposition Sir Keir Starmer have circulated on social media. A faked robocall impersonating Joe Biden was sent to voters before a primary election. The number of AI-enhanced images of politicians is increasing.In a year when over two billion people in more than 50 countries will vote in elections, the use of AI technology – more widely accessible than ever – and disinformation could have a major impact on trust and integrity.So what can be done to tackle this growing problem? What can political parties, government, media companies and civil society do to mitigate the risks of AI and ensure electoral integrity? And what steps can be taken ahead the elections of 2024 and then in the longer term.We were joined by an expert panel, including:• Professor Joe Burton, Professor of International Security in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University• Louise Edwards, Director of Regulation and Digital Transformation at the Electoral Commission• Chris Morris, Chief Executive of Full Fact• Simon Staffell, Director of Government Affairs at MicrosoftThe event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.We would like to thank Lancaster University for kindly supporting this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 27, 2024 • 1h 9min

Keynote speech: Lord McFall of Alcluith, Lord Speaker

The question of how to reform the House of Lords dominates discussions about the upper house, with less attention focused on its day-to-day activities. Since his election as Lord Speaker in 2021, Lord McFall of Alcluith has sought to champion its important role of revising legislation and advising the government, while ensuring the Lords remains on the path of modernisation.Lord McFall has focused on parliamentary outreach and prioritised communicating the value of the House of Lords externally, bringing the devolved parliaments and Westminster closer. He has also worked with schools and universities, and launched a podcast, to demystify the upper house. What are public perceptions of the upper chamber and how have they changed? How has the Lords changed its ways of working? What kinds of links does it have with the devolved parliaments? And what might all of this mean for discussions about reform of the Lords?Lord McFall addressed these questions and more in a keynote speech at the Institute for Government, before taking part in a discussion with the IfG’s Director Dr Hannah White and an audience Q&A.Follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @IfGEvents and join the conversation using #lordspeaker.Lord McFall of Alcluith became Lord Speaker in 2021, having served as senior deputy speaker for five years. He entered the Lords in 2010 after spending 23 years in the Commons as Labour MP for Dumbarton and later West Dumbartonshire. There, he served as a minister in the Northern Ireland Office, a government whip, and chaired the Treasury Select Committee between 2001 and 2010, including during the global financial crisis. Before entering politics, Lord McFall worked for over a decade as a teacher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 27, 2024 • 1h 17min

Does the Treasury wield too much power over government?

The podcast dives into the Treasury's significant power and influence over public spending and tax policy. It debates criticisms of the Treasury's short-term approach and micromanagement tendencies. Experts discuss the need for long-term planning and transparency in fiscal decision-making. There’s exploration of the Treasury's role in driving economic growth, alongside the complexities of public contracts. The conversation touches on enhancing the Treasury's effectiveness and the culture of fear affecting policy evaluations within government. A nuanced look at improving collaboration among departments is also presented.
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Mar 22, 2024 • 58min

How can government tackle fraud?

Fraud is the UK’s most common crime. But despite 3.5 million incidents reported in 2022/23, 40% of all reported crimes, only one in a thousand results in a charge or summons. So why is there such a huge gap between preventing, detecting and prosecuting this crime – and what can be done to fix the problem?A wide range of organisations have responsibility for tackling fraud, including the Home Office, National Crime Agency, Serious Fraud Office, City of London Police, Metropolitan Police Service, Financial Conduct Authority and the National Cyber Security Centre. However, there are problems with coordination, capacity and capability.So what can government and others do to help prevent fraud? How can coordination among the various agencies responsible for tackling fraud be improved? And what steps could be taken to help increase detection and prosecution rates?We were joined by an expert panel, including:• Francesca Carlesi, CEO of Revolut UK• Adrian Searle, Director of the National Economic Crime Centre• Nick Stapleton, Co-Presenter of BBC Scam Interceptors• Rt Hon Emily Thornberry MP, Shadow Attorney GeneralThe event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 13, 2024 • 1h 25min

Fixing the centre of government – with Sir John Major and Gordon Brown

Sir John Major, the former UK Prime Minister known for his 1990s leadership, and Gordon Brown, former Chancellor and Prime Minister, tackle the urgent need for reform in the UK government. They discuss pressing issues like economic stagnation, regional inequalities, and climate change. Major reforms are proposed, including a streamlined decision-making structure and enhanced civil service accountability. The speakers also emphasize the importance of external collaboration and the dynamic between Number 10 and cabinet ministers to ensure effective governance.
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Feb 27, 2024 • 58min

General election: What makes a good manifesto?

With the general election less than a year away, the Conservatives, Labour and all other political parties are drawing up their manifestos. Scrutinised by the media and voters, manifestos can shape debate, shift the polls, and play a major part in an election campaign – and shape what the winning part does in government.While manifestos are described as a contract between a party and the people, the reality in government is often quite different. Pledges may prove difficult to deliver in practice, with unforeseen crises and the day-to-day challenges of governing seeing commitments fall by the wayside. In a coalition or minority government, parties may have to compromise.So how do the parties develop and write their manifestos? What does a good manifesto actually look like? What are the questions that Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer will be considering when signing off on their manifestos? And just how important are manifestos during – and after – a general election campaign?Joining us to discuss these questions and more were: • Andrew Fisher, former Executive Director of Policy for the Labour Party, and author of the 2017 and 2019 Labour manifestos • Robert Shrimsley, Chief UK Political Commentator and Executive Editor at the Financial Times• Rachel Wolf, Founding Partner at Public First, and co-author of the 2019 Conservative manifestoThe event was chaired by Dr Catherine Haddon, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Feb 21, 2024 • 1h 1min

In conversation with Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP

Dr Thérèse Coffey served in government under every prime minister from David Cameron to Rishi Sunak, including four years as a member of the cabinet. She led the Department for Work and Pensions through the Covid pandemic, served as deputy prime minister and heath secretary under Liz Truss, and was made environment secretary by Rishi Sunak. She left government at the November 2023 reshuffle. Dr Coffey joined Tim Durrant, Programme Director for Ministers at the Institute for Government, to reflect on her government career and the challenges of ministerial life. What was it like serving under five different prime ministers? How did she approach running a large delivery-focused department during the pandemic? And are the pressures of ministerial office impacting too much on the lives of politicians? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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