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 has missed the point about public inquiries
Public inquiries are a vital public resource – providing accountability that protects the public from repeated harmful and costly failures.
The UK’s ‘no deal’ plan for the Irish border falls short
The Government's plan for the Irish border doesn't work in the longer term.
They rejected the Prime Minister’s deal – now MPs must tell us their vision for Brexit
Parliament has again rejected the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal. Now MPs are the ones responsible for setting out an alternative to break the impasse.
The UK’s Independent Trade Policy falls at the first hurdle
There are reasons to be seriously concerned about the Government’s handing of tariff policy.
An Article 50 extension is becoming inevitable – the question is how long?
Whether or not her Brexit deal passes, the Prime Minister is likely to need more time.
The NHS waiting times target review highlights the pressures facing public services
The Government must take its lead from the NHS and make clear the trade-offs that it will have to make with public services.
Party whips are trying to take back control of select committee membership
Labour's latest intentions would be a worrying reassertion of the power of the party whips over the select committee system.
Any Brexit “deal dividend” won’t last for long
The prospect of a Brexit “deal dividend” is at best a temporary fillip.
Chris Grayling’s charmed life threatens ministerial accountability
The continued survival of Chris Grayling in government sets a dangerous precedent for the principle of ministerial accountability.
Workers’ rights after Brexit: the limits of legislation
There are limits to what any UK government can do unilaterally to strengthen protection of workers' rights.