Incisive commentary from the IfG’s expert team on issues facing government and key ministerial decisions.
From analysis of key political events such as budgets and party conferences to snap responses to unexpected developments such as government reshuffles, our writers set out their views and analyse what government gets right, what it gets wrong, and what it can do better.
Boris Johnson is a weakened prime minister
Boris Johnson’s vote of no confidence victory is a fragile one given the number of MPs who voted against him
Stopping the civil service fast stream is a short-sighted mistake
Pausing the civil service fast stream for “at least a year” is a consequence of the government’s wrong-headed approach to workforce management
The new ministerial code fails again to improve standards
The new ministerial code fails to introduce urgently needed changes and further entrenches the prime minister’s power over standards in government
The Privileges Committee’s questioning of Boris Johnson has constitutional significance
The prime minister now faces an inquiry by the Commons Privileges Committee into whether he lied to parliament.
The chancellor has changed direction but policy uncertainty comes with costs
The chancellor has demonstrated clear thinking about current problems – but uncertainty over policy brings real costs
Simon Case must show he can lead the civil service out of its partygate problems
If the cabinet secretary is to remain in post, he needs to demonstrate he grasps the extent of the civil service problems exposed by Sue Gray
Sue Gray’s report shows how Boris Johnson has damaged the office of the prime minister
Boris Johnson has damaged the standing of his government and public faith in his leadership
Reform the Foreign Office – and devise a foreign policy
A real dispatch of this ugly episode will come only with a coherent foreign policy
Rees-Mogg should not turn the public bodies review programme into a purge
The minister for government efficiency should seek better, not just fewer, public bodies.
The new Levelling Up Bill lacks the ambition needed to deliver
The government needs to show more ambition than the new Levelling Up Bill