Akash Paun
Programme Director
Akash's recent work
Local elections 2024: Mayor of the West Midlands
On 2 May 2024, voters in Birmingham and six neighbouring local areas elected Richard Parker as the mayor of the West Midlands.
Local elections 2024: Mayor of Greater Manchester
On 2 May 2024, Andy Burnham was elected for the third time as mayor of Greater Manchester
Local elections 2024: Mayor of West Yorkshire
On 2 May 2024, voters elected Tracy Brabin as Mayor of West Yorkshire
All work
SNP leadership: How will Humza Yousaf be replaced as first minister of Scotland?
How will the SNP elect its next leader?
Local elections 2024: District, borough and unitary councils
On 2 May voters across England elected more than 2,500 councillors.
Humza Yousaf’s precarious position puts the SNP – and Scotland – at a crossroads
This week could bring the swift toppling of the first minister and a summer election.
Six things to look out for in the May 2024 local and mayoral elections
These elections will be the last major test of public opinion before the coming general election – but are important in their own right.
The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales
What was the aim of the Independent Commission?
The 2023 autumn statement marks a step forward on devolution – but the job is far from complete
Four new devolution deals shows promise for the government’s devolution agenda.
The use of Section 35 of the Scotland Act to block the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
What are the court proceedings between the UK and Scottish governments about?
This should be Labour's last pre-election reshuffle
Keir Starmer has made some big changes to Labour's shadow ministerial team.
The art of the devolution deal
Too little attention has been paid to how devolution deals are negotiated and implemented and how Whitehall should support them.
Three key challenges facing Scotland’s new first minister
Humza Yousaf, elected leader of the SNP, must now assemble his top team, set out his independence strategy, and reset relations with Westminster.