Catherine Haddon
Programme Director
Cath's recent work
What is a manifesto?
Manifestos set out the policies a political party would deliver if they were to win an election.
All work
Being prime minister means taking responsibility for how you shape your premiership
Every prime minister tries to define their premiership through achievements, but their achievements will be determined by their personal approach.
Caretaker government
The phrase ‘caretaker government’ describes a government that holds office subject to certain temporary restrictions on what it may do.
Gavin Barwell
Gavin Barwell was interviewed on 9 December 2019 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.
Unclear constitutional rules add to the immediate uncertainty of a hung parliament
The potential controversies which follow a hung parliament show the need for constitutional reform.
Conservative manifesto plans for the constitution are too reactive and Labour’s too uncertain
Dr Catherine Haddon warns against vague or short-termist constitutional reform.
What happens if a prime minister loses their seat in a general election?
At every general election there is a possibility that a party's leader would not be returned to parliament.
The row over the Intelligence and Security Committee may require Parliament to review the committee’s role
The delayed publication of the ISC’s report underlines the need for a fundamental rethink of how Parliament scrutinises intelligence.
Costings of opposition policies are legitimate – but not during an election campaign
The decision by the Cabinet Secretary to refuse the publication of Treasury costings of opposition policies was inevitably controversial.
How the civil service prepares for a general election
This explainer considers the preparation the civil service undertakes during an election period.
How political parties prepare for government
Alongside campaigning for office, political parties also undertake other preparation for what they will do if they win an election and get into power.