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.

Explore all interviews

Filter:
Displaying 21 - 30 of 156
24 NOV 2021 Interview

Johnny Mercer

Johnny Mercer discusses his work on veterans’ issues, trying to pass legislation in parliament. He also discusses working with Boris Johnson.

17 NOV 2021 Interview

Estelle Morris

Baroness Morris talks about her six years in DfE, including her perspective as a former teacher and the shift to a targets-orientated culture.

12 OCT 2021 Interview

Alun Davies

Alun Davies was interviewed on 12 October 2021 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.

05 OCT 2021 Interview

Jeane Freeman

Jeane Freeman was interviewed on 5 October 2021 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.

01 OCT 2021 Interview

Danny Kennedy

Danny Kennedy reflects on his time as minister relations within the Northern Ireland executive and assembly and the challenges of cross-party working.

28 SEP 2021 Interview

Kirsty Williams

Kirsty Williams discusses her time in the Welsh government, being a lone Liberal Democrat minister and the challenges raised by the Covid pandemic.

27 SEP 2021 Interview

Ken Skates

Ken Skates reflects on his time in the Welsh government following the EU referendum and during the Covid-19 pandemic.

15 SEP 2021 Interview

Claire Sugden

Claire Sugden reflects on her time as justice minister for Northern Ireland and her experience of being an independent member of the executive.

14 SEP 2021 Interview

Stephen Farry

Dr Stephen Farry was interviewed on 14 September 2021 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.

10 SEP 2021 Interview

Máirtín Ó Muilleoir

Máirtín Ó Muilleoir reflects on his time in the Northern Ireland executive, implications of the EU referendum, and the 2017 collapse of the executive.