Working to make government more effective

Working to make government more effective

A close up of Yvette Cooper's ministerial portfolio. It says 'Secretary of State Home Office' on it.

Ministers Reflect

Interviews with former ministers on the realities of the role and how to be effective in government.

Our Ministers Reflect series of interviews includes more than 150 conversations with former ministers from the UK and devolved governments. They discuss the reality of being a minister, reflect on what they wish they had known about the job before they began, and offer advice to new ministers taking on the role.

Our interviews are regularly used by civil servants, policy makers and academics to inform their work.

Our quote bank compiles some of the best insights from our interviews, categorised by topic.

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 178
06 NOV 2025 Interview
Theresa Villiers

Theresa Villiers

Theresa Villers reflects on her time in government for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.

21 OCT 2025 Interview
Simon Hart, former secretary of state for Wales and chief whip

Simon Hart

Simon Hart discusses his time in government as secretary of state for Wales during the Covid pandemic and his role as chief whip.

21 OCT 2025 Interview
Sajid Javid, former chancellor and health secretary

Sajid Javid

Sajid Javid discusses his time as chancellor and health secretary among several other government roles.

17 JUL 2025 Interview
Jeremy Hunt, chancellor, outside No 11 Downing Street with the budget case in his hand.

Jeremy Hunt

Jeremy Hunt discusses returning to government as chancellor of the exchequer in the aftermath of the Truss-Kwarteng mini-budget.

31 MAR 2025 Interview
John Glen, former economic secretary to the Treasury.

John Glen

John Glen discusses being City minister for four and a half years and serving in government in the run-up to the 2024 general election.

25 MAR 2025 Interview
Rebecca Pow, former minister for nature.

Rebecca Pow

Rebecca Pow reflects on her role steering the Environment Act through parliament and how she managed stakeholder relationships as a minister in Defra.

12 MAR 2025 Interview
Paul Scully, former minister for small business.

Paul Scully

Paul Scully discusses his role in setting up the Post Office inquiry, dealing with a highly technical brief and taking legislation through parliament.

04 DEC 2024 Interview
Clare Short standing in the garden at her home. She is wear a white and navy scarf and a pink jacket.

Clare Short

Clare Short discusses setting up the Department for International Development, setting clear objectives and getting the most out of her civil servants

04 DEC 2024 Interview
Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock discusses running the Department of Health during the pandemic, difficulties at the centre of government and lockdown lessons.

18 NOV 2024 Interview
John Denham

John Denham

John Denham discusses being an ‘engine room’ minister, resigning over Iraq, and being secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills.