Prime Minister and Chancellor: the most important relationship in government
The prime minister and chancellor of the exchequer are the most powerful politicians in the country. When united they can exert immense power.
Please note: This event was recorded as part of the IfG LIVE podcast.
The prime minister and chancellor of the exchequer are the most powerful politicians in the country. When united they can exert immense power over the government machine – sometimes too much, failing to check each other. But their clashes can paralyse or destroy administrations.
Over the past 30 years, the UK has experienced strong and weak chancellors and close and frosty relationships between No.10 and No.11 Downing Street. In February’s reshuffle, Sajid Javid belied his reported nickname of “Chancellor In Name Only” by resigning over the terms the prime minister offered.
A week after the government’s first budget, and ahead of this summer’s post-austerity spending review, how will Javid’s successor Rishi Sunak carve out his role? Will he demonstrate his independence? And what might Johnson’s and Sunak’s relationship mean for the effectiveness of this government?
Our panel included:
- Baroness Kate Fall, Senior Adviser at Brunswick and Former Adviser to David Cameron
- Torsten Bell, Chief Executive at Resolution Foundation and former adviser to Alistair Darling
- Robert Shrimsley, Chief Political Commentator at the Financial Times
This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.
Listen to the event
- Keywords
- Majority government
- Political party
- Conservative
- Administration
- Johnson government
- Department
- HM Treasury
- Public figures
- Boris Johnson Rishi Sunak
- Publisher
- Institute for Government