Support for opposition parties

Helping opposition parties prepare for government has been one of the IfG’s priorities since we were established.

Being in government is very different from being in opposition or campaigning to win an election. Understanding how a party’s role will change and the challenges that being in government presents helps opposition politicians to hit the ground running upon entering government. The IfG Academy can help opposition politicians and their teams think through working with the civil service, getting up to speed with the issues will face in their department and making the most of the time available to prepare.

Take a look at some of our work on preparing for government and transitioning into ministerial roles, and get in touch via ifgacademy@instituteforgovernment.org.uk to find out how we can support you and your team.

See more of our work on shadow ministers.

04 JAN 2024 Report

Preparing for government

Rishi Sunak has called a general election for 4 July 2024.

10 JAN 2024 Hybrid event

10 January 2024

General election: How should an opposition prepare for government?

With a general election at most a year away, Wes Ball, Baroness Fall and Lord Macpherson discussed how opposition parties can prepare for government.

05 MAY 2023 Insight paper

Preparing a shadow ministerial team for office

What the last two changes of government tell us about effective transitions.

Preparing for Power podcast series

This six-part series takes you behind the scenes to find out how our politicians, their advisers and officials get ready for being in government. Featuring interviews from Harriet Harman, Gus O'Donnell, Ed Balls, Oliver Letwin and more.

Listen to the series