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.
Parliament braced for battle as another Brexit deal arrives in Westminster
With a Brexit deal coming back from Brussels, there is no guarantee that it will pass in Parliament and that a ‘no deal’ is still a risk.
A no-deal Brexit is at odds with the government’s commitment to the Union
The future of the United Kingdom will be at risk if UK leaves the EU without a Brexit deal.
The government’s criminal justice proposals don’t add up
Current criminal justice plans don’t address how to improve standards in prisons and will leave a hole in their budgets.
A Brexit breakthrough is possible – but perhaps not in time for the deadline
A Brexit extension is still possible even if the UK and the EU sign off on a deal next week.
It is right for the Queen to consider her possible role in the Brexit showdown
It is entirely appropriate for Buckingham Palace to be seeking advice on how and when a monarch could dismiss a prime minister.
Brexit, building work and bullying pose big challenges for the next Speaker
Whoever becomes the next Commons Speaker will need to work out which levers they can pull to achieve their priorities.
Chancellors should not decide the contents of their Budgets in secret
The lack of scrutiny and debate around the Budget process is as worrying as it can be damaging.
Conference pledges leave key questions on health and social care unanswered
Party conferences saw a proliferation of health and social care policies which are full of unanswered questions and skewed priorities.
The four flaws in Boris Johnson’s proposals for a rewritten Brexit deal
The government’s proposals for an alternative to the Irish border backstop are likely to be too problematic to secure the EU’s backing.
Even a Commons majority for an EU withdrawal agreement doesn’t rule out a no-deal Brexit
If Boris Johnson persuades MPs to vote for a Brexit agreement, then the bigger parliamentary challenge could be turning that deal into law.