IfG Events

Latest Episodes:

Keir Starmer’s plan for government: How will it work Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

Keir Starmer used his first speech as prime minister to declare that the “work of change begins immediately”. But how will the Labour government approach the complex policy challenges that it has inherited? And how will it start making progress on new promises?

From freeing up space in crowded prisons to turning around struggling public services, delivering clean energy and kickstarting economic growth, the government’s to-do list is daunting. Labour has promised to “change how Britain is governed” in order to deliver its aims in government – but how will this work in practice? What does Labour’s ‘mission-led’ approach mean for the way government operates? How will central government work with locally elected mayors? And what do Keir Starmer’s cabinet appointments – and the way he has structured his centre of government – tell us about how his plan for government will work?

The FT’s Jen Williams joined us to discuss Keir Starmer’s first week as prime minister and what it tells us about how he intends to govern Britain.

Chaired by Hannah White with Joe Owen and Emma Norris.

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General election 2024: What happens on day one for a new government? Jul 04, 2024

Show notes

This Friday will be day one in government for the winner of the general election. But there will be no chance for anyone to catch their breath after a gruelling campaign. The job begins at once.

So what should civil servants be braced to expect as ministers are appointed to their new roles? How can special advisers best prepare for that frenetic first 24 hours? And what actually awaits a prime minister as they step through that famous No10 door?

The IfG goes behind the scenes of the first day in government after a general election – and reveals what civil servants, officials and ministers can expect to happen next.

Salma Shah, former Government special adviser (2014-2019)

Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the IfG

Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the IfG

Emma Norris, Deputy Director at the IfG (Chair)

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General election 2024: What is in the Labour manifesto? Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

Manifesto launches are a significant moment in any general election campaign, and Thursday’s publication of Labour’s manifesto is a big chance for Keir Starmer to set out how his party would govern if it wins the general election on 4 July.

So how plausible are the manifesto’s plans? What are the big dividing lines with the Conservatives? How would a Labour government pay for public services? And what does the manifesto tell us about the priorities of a Labour government after 14 years in opposition?

In this General Election 2024 webinar, the Institute for Government gives an expert briefing on what is in the Labour manifesto – and what it would mean for government.

Panellists included:

Sam Freedman, author of Failed State

Stuart Hoddinott, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government

Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government

Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government (chair)

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General election 2024: What is in the Conservative manifesto? Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

Manifesto launches are a significant moment in any general election campaign, and Tuesday’s publication of the Conservative manifesto is a big opportunity for Rishi Sunak’s party to set out its vision for government if it wins the general election on 4 July.

So what are the flagship policies? Do the tax and spending numbers add up? How plausible and credible are the manifesto’s plans? And, after 14 years of power, how much of a break is this manifesto from previous Conservative policies and priorities?

In this general election 2024 webinar, the Institute for Government gives you an essential expert briefing on what is in the Conservative manifesto – and what it would mean for government.

Panellists included:

Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government
Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government
Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government (chair)

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What should civil servants do during the general election campaign? Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

With attention focused on politicians, and politicians focused on winning votes, a general election campaign is an unusual time for civil servants. Their top priority remains serving the government of the day, but they must also prepare for a potential transition of power, and be ready to work with whoever forms the next government.

Civil service activity is also restricted during the formal ‘pre-election period’, with civil service impartiality protected by government guidance and measures to stop public funds being used for campaigning purposes. So how should civil servants navigate this period of heightened political sensitivity? How does the work of the civil service change in the campaign? And what can civil servants do to prepare for a potential transition of power?

Ahead of the general election on 4 July, this IfG webinar explored all these questions and more, and asked what lessons can be learned from previous election campaigns and past transitions of power.

To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by:

Sir David Bell KCB DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sunderland and former Permanent Secretary
Catherine Haddon, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government and former senior civil servant

The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow, Institute for Government.

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Keynote speech: Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs May 17, 2024

Show notes

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.

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Keynote speech: Lucy Powell MP, Shadow Leader of the Commons May 15, 2024

Show notes

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.

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General election: What makes a successful communications strategy? May 14, 2024

Show notes

From attacking opposition policies to rebutting opposition attacks, selling key messages to voters and shaping media narratives, general election campaigns can be won or lost on the success of a communications strategy.

So how do the parties design and deliver their approach to the media, or to communicating beyond the media? How different are the approaches needed for print, broadcast and online? Are the challenges different for the Conservatives and Labour? What are the key moments and potential turning points in a campaign? And what happens when an unexpected event, gaffe or story threatens to derail a general election campaign?

To examine how Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are communicating with the electorate as the general election approaches, and to explore the lessons of previous campaigns, the Institute for Government brought together people who have led communications strategies for government and the opposition, and shaped election coverage for national broadcasters and newspapers.

Anushka Asthana, Deputy Political Editor at ITV News

Lee Cain, Downing Street Director of Communications (2019–20)

James Schneider, Head of Strategic Communications for the Labour Party (2016–20)

Katy Searle, Head of BBC Westminster (2017–20) and Executive Editor of BBC Politics (2020–22)

The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.

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Bringing in the best: How can the civil service recruit and retain top talent? May 13, 2024

Show notes

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?

Why would the civil service benefit from bringing in more outsiders? Does civil service culture make it difficult to thrive as an external recruit? What sort of skills does the civil service need from expert outsiders? And what progress has been made since the Declaration on Government Reform was published?

To discuss these questions, this event featured three permanent secretaries who have all spent time working in the private sector as well for the civil service:

Gareth Davies, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Business and Trade

Cat Little, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office

Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Jordan Urban, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government

The event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

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Local and mayoral elections 2024: Why they matter and what to look out for May 02, 2024

Show notes

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

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