Working to make government more effective

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 almost 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.

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 17
17 JUL 2023 Interview

Anne Milton

Anne Milton discusses pastoral support for MPs, whipping during the coalition years and working with opposition whips.

04 JUL 2023 Interview

Hilary Armstrong

Baroness Armstrong discusses handling contentious legislation, the welfare of MPs and influencing reshuffles.

03 JUL 2023 Interview

Patrick McLoughlin

Lord McLoughlin reflects on his long experience of government, how the whips manage parliament and dealing with crises as transport secretary.

07 JUN 2023 Interview

Lord Bethell

Lord Bethell discusses being in DHSC during Covid, the importance of experts in government and 'hating' leaving office

25 APR 2023 Interview

Matt Warman

Matt Warman discusses being an expert minister, how to navigate ‘caretaker’ government and receiving an apology for being sacked by Boris Johnson.

09 NOV 2020 Interview

Jeremy Wright

Jeremy Wright reflects on giving legal advice to government, the styles of different PMs and the importance of DCMS as an economic department.

09 DEC 2019 Interview

Gavin Barwell

Gavin Barwell was interviewed on 9 December 2019 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.

20 JUN 2019 Interview

Lord O’Shaughnessy

Lord O’Shaughnessy discusses working in policy before becoming a minister, being a Lords minister and the impact of Brexit on the work of DHSC.

20 MAY 2019 Interview

Steve Brine

Steve Brine was interviewed on 20 May 2019 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.

03 JUL 2018 Interview

Michael Fallon

Sir Michael Fallon was interviewed on 3 July 2018 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.