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The Rt Hon David Lammy MP set out how a foreign policy lens of 'progressive realism' might affect the practice of diplomacy, should Labour win the election.
The discussion covered the evolution of the Foreign Office as an institution, under both Labour and Conservative governments. It focused in particular on the balance between traditional diplomatic activity and the new demands created by climate change, global health challenges and the regulation of emerging technologies.
The Shadow Foreign Secretary also explored the convergence between domestic economic and foreign policy and its implications for how Labour's mission-driven approach would shape how Whitehall works on international issues.
Following his speech, David Lammy was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government, and took questions from the audience. -
Parliament and regulators: How can scrutiny be improved? by Institute for Government
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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The Institute for Government welcomed Lucy Powell MP, the Shadow Leader of the Commons, to give a keynote speech on how a Labour government would approach parliament, the legislative process, and the role of MPs.
With Westminster hit by a series of scandals in recent years, what can be done to restore parliament's image? How can the legislative process be improved? And how would Labour, if elected, approach the way that MPs work in parliament?
Following her speech, Lucy Powell was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government. She then took part in an audience Q&A. -
General election: What makes a successful communications strategy? by Institute for Government
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The success of the civil service has always depended on the recruitment and retention of exceptional individuals – and this means bringing in talented outsiders with particular skills and capabilities.
It is 170 years since the Northcote-Trevelyan report argued that people “of the highest abilities should be selected for the highest posts” in Whitehall, while the government’s most recent reform plan, the 2021 Declaration on Government Reform, argued that more external recruits were needed. So, who are the officials at the very top of the civil service – and is enough being done to recruit the best outside talent?
Permanent secretaries Cat Little, Sarah Munby and Gareth Davies joined us to discuss the benefits of external recruitment to the civil service. -
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 Government
The event was chaired by Emma Norris, Deputy Director at the Institute for Government. -
The establishment of the mayor of London and the London Assembly in 2000 was a milestone moment for English devolution. With a budget of over £20bn and responsibility for key functions – including transport, policing and economic development – the mayor of London is one of the most powerful and high-profile figures in British politics.
The UK government has gone on to devolve powers to other cities and regions across England and in some cases – such as the ‘trailblazer’ deals offered to Greater Manchester and the West Midlands – these powers have gone further than London’s deal.
So is it time to reopen London’s own devolution settlement? Is there a case for further devolution to the capital – and if so of which powers? How could the role of the mayor change in the future? And is wider reform of London’s institutions also needed?
Ahead of the May 2024 mayoral and assembly elections, the Institute for Government – in partnership with OnLondon.co.uk – was pleased to host this event to consider where devolution to London goes next.
We were joined by an expert panel, comprised of:
Alison Griffin, Chief Executive of London Councils
Alexander Jan, Chair of the Central District Alliance and Hatton Garden BIDs
Antonia Jennings, Chief Executive of Centre for London
Professor Tony Travers, Director of LSE London
The event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director for Devolution at the Institute for Government.
We would like to thank the Central District Alliance BID, the London Heritage Quarter and Primera for kindly supporting this event. -
From little black books to pet tarantulas, MPs being dragged out of ambulances to vote and tantalising promises of ministerial office, the alleged ‘dark arts’ of the government Whips’ Office have a fearsome reputation. But in reality a government whip is an important conduit between backbenchers and No.10, while also playing an increasingly large role in supporting the wellbeing of MPs. After the election, whips will have to help a large intake of new MPs navigate the Commons – and keep an eye out for any potential ministerial talent.
Following the IfG’s recent interviews with former government whips, this event considered how the role has evolved over recent decades. What makes an effective whip? Are whipping practices fit for the 2020s? And how should the role of a government whip change in the future?
To explore these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel, including:
Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP, former Liberal Democrat Chief Whip
Rt Hon Anne Milton, former Deputy Chief Whip
Dr Emma Peplow, Head of Oral History at the History of Parliament Trust
Chris White, Co-Head, Advocacy at SEC Newgate and former special adviser
The event was chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for 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 General
The event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government. -
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 Partners
The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.
We would like to thank UKICE for kindly supporting this event. -
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.
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. -
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 Microsoft
The 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. -
Just a few hours after Jeremy Hunt sets out his spring budget, a team of Institute for Government experts gathered in the IfG studio to record a special edition of the Inside Briefing podcast.
Olly Bartrum, Jill Rutter, Dr Gemma Tetlow and Giles Wilkes gave their instant reaction to the budget and shared expert analysis of a major day for the country.
What have we learned from the chancellor’s big announcements and what choices did he make? What did the new OBR forecasts show about the UK’s economic prospects? What did it mean for public services? How did Labour respond? And how might this budget shape the battles on the economy at the next general election – and when that election might be held? -
Public services have faced the greatest level of disruption from strikes in more than a quarter of a century. Over the past year nurses, ambulance drivers, teachers, junior doctors, consultants, and civil servants, among others, have all staged walkouts to protest against pay and working conditions.
While improved pay offers from Rishi Sunak’s government have resolved many disputes, some staff are still on the picket line and other disputes could flare up again.
So what impact has recent industrial disputes had on public service performance? What skills do ministers, civil servants, frontline public sector leaders and unions need to effectively negotiate with each other and resolve disputes – and what mechanisms can be used to resolve entrenched disputes? How effective are pay review bodies and do they need to be reformed? And to what extent will the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act help or hinder the management of industrial dispute?
To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel, including:
Mike Clancy, General Secretary at Prospect
Baroness Finn, former Government Adviser on Industrial Relations
Raj Jethwa, Chief Executive at UCEA
Kate Nowicki, Director of Dispute Resolution at Acas
The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. -
The Treasury is perhaps the most powerful department in Whitehall. Its ownership of public spending means it has direct control over the money available to the rest of government, while the Treasury’s responsibility for tax policy gives it enormous influence over the finances of households and businesses.
But criticism of the department’s influence on government policy is almost as old as the institution itself, with frequent complaints about the “dead hand of the Treasury” or attacks on the department’s “orthodoxy”.
However, a recent IfG report found many of the fiercest criticisms to be overblown: many simply represent a dislike of a budget constraint. The department plays an important function in effectively managing public spending and guarding against financial disorder. It has also consistently been a champion of economic growth, though there is debate about how that is managed against its responsibility for managing government spending. While the department has clear strengths, there are clearly problems with how it functions. The Treasury often takes a short-term approach, is frequently accused of micromanaging other departments, and wields excessive influence over government policy relative to the rest of the centre.
So how can these problems be addressed? How much are they due to the relative weakness of other departments or the incentives facing Treasury ministers? And just what impact does the Treasury have on government policy making?
Our expert panel exploring these issues and more featured:
James Bowler CB, Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury
Anita Charlesworth, Director of Research at the Health Foundation and former Director of Public Spending at HM Treasury
David Gauke, former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and co-author of Treasury orthodoxy, and former No 10 special adviser for industrial strategy
The event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government. -
Better use of data is key to more effective government. Across government, teams are doing fascinating work with data. But those projects don’t get the attention they deserve. Data Bites aims to change that.
This event was the 49th in our series, where the speakers present their work in an exciting, quickfire format. -
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 General
The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.
We would like to thank Revolut for kindly supporting this event. -
As he prepares to step down as Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Alex Chisholm spoke at the Institute for Government for his final time as a civil servant.
During nearly a decade at the top of the civil service as a permanent secretary, Alex served four prime ministers and worked with three cabinet secretaries, covering eventful and tumultuous times. After four years as permanent secretary at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, in 2020 Alex moved to his current role at the heart of the civil service.
Having played a leading part in the civil service reform agenda, Alex reflected on the scheme to relocate parts of the civil service from London, efforts to improve Whitehall’s use of data and digital and to overhaul cross-departmental working, and his reflections on the government’s response during the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the event, Alex Chisholm was in conversation with IfG Director Dr Hannah White and will take part in an audience Q&A. -
The future of the UK asylum system could dominate the 2024 general election campaign. The prime minister has made his controversial Rwanda plan a flagship part of the government’s agenda, while Labour has committed to reforming the asylum system as part of its plan to tackle Channel crossings.
Rishi Sunak pledged to clear the legacy asylum backlog by the end of 2023, but the sizeable backlog of people waiting for a decision remains – with the government struggling to deal with new asylum cases and problems elsewhere in the system.
So what are these problems? Does the government have a coherent plan to bring down the backlog? And what can be done to improve the UK’s asylum system in the long term?
This panel examined what steps the government can take to ensure the asylum system is fit for purpose in the long term.
We were joined by an expert panel, including:
Alvina Tamara Chibhamu, Ambassador at the VOICES network
Sal Copley, Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs at the British Red Cross
Lizzie Dearden, Home affairs journalist and author
Sir Philip Rutnam, former Permanent Secretary at the Home Office
The event was chaired by Joe Owen, Director of Impact at the Institute for Government.
We would like to thank the British Red Cross for kindly supporting this event. -
Political parties are increasingly focusing their energy and resources on the approaching general election campaign. The pace will be relentless. The atmosphere will be increasingly fraught. So as the campaign intensifies, how can think tanks make themselves heard – and help to shape policy and political debate?
A dramatic – and sometimes chaotic – decade in British politics has brought new challenges to think tanks. Different think tanks, with a range of political views and policy priorities, play different roles – but how has their work evolved in recent years? What level of influence do they have in shaping the priorities and policies of opposition parties and government and how does this change in an election year? What are a think tank’s responsibilities when it works with political parties, government ministers or their advisers? And does being a registered charity impact how a think tank can inform and influence public debate and policy development?
These questions and more were explored in a joint Institute for Government and Charity Commission event featuring:
Andy Cook, Chief Executive of the Centre for Social Justice
Polly Curtis, Chief Executive of Demos
Orlando Fraser KC, Chair of the Charity Commission
Dr Hannah White OBE, Director of the Institute for Government
The event was chaired by Lord O'Donnell, former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service (2005–11). - Visa fler
