IfG at the Conservative Party Conference 2026
The IfG was in Birmingham for the Conservative Party Conference 2026.
The IfG is hosting a wide-ranging, thought-provoking and influential programme of fringe events at the party conferences.
All events will take place at Soprano Room, Hyatt Birmingham unless otherwise stated.
Governing in a fractured Britain: How should the Conservatives rethink their approach to power?
Listen to the event
Speakers:
- Baroness Finn of Swansea, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office
- Dr Patrick English, Head of Elections and Political and Social Data at YouGov
- Lucy Harris, former MEP and Conservative Special Adviser
- Salma Shah, IfG Senior fellow and former Conservative Special Adviser
- Tom Skinner, former Conservative Special Adviser
This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Executive Director at the Institute for Government.
This event was in partnership with YouGov.
Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.
See the presentation from this event.
Should ministers have more power over public bodies?
Listen to the event
Speakers:
- Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Shadow Minister (Treasury)
- Henry Hill, Editor of The Critic
- Rt Hon Lord Maude of Horsham, Founder and Chairman of Francis Maude Associates
- Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King's Fund
This event was chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.
Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.
In conversation with Alex Burghart MP, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party
Listen to the event
Speakers:
- Alex Burghart MP, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party
This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Executive Director at the Institute for Government.
Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.
Social security, disability and health-related inactivity: What is the Conservative case for reform?
Listen to the event
Speakers:
- Helen Whately MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
- Helen Barnard, Director of Policy and Research at Trussell
- Fraser Nelson, Columnist at The Times
- Ben Paxton, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
This event was chaired by Thomas Pope, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.
This event was in partnership with Trussell.
Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.
Leaders of tomorrow: How can the UK develop politicians fit for the future?
Listen to the event
Speakers:
- Heather Blundell, CEO of Grayling
- Rt Hon Baroness Thérèse Coffey, former Deputy Prime Minister
- Rt Hon Lord Michael Gove, Editor of The Spectator
This event was chaired by Vicky Elliott, Director at the Institute for Government
This event was in partnership with The Spectator.
Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.
The Institute for Government is grateful to the following organisation for their support of this Conservative Party Conference 2026 event:
Visit our other 2026 party conference event pages: