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 61 - 70 of 156
05 DEC 2018 Interview

Kenny MacAskill

Kenny MacAskill reflects on deciding to release Abdelbaset al-Megrahi from prison, merging the Scottish police forces and preparing for the referendum

17 OCT 2018 Interview

Shona Robison

Shona Robison reflects on transforming the health and care system, getting government out of its silos and delivering the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

16 OCT 2018 Interview

Ieuan Wyn Jones

Ieuan Wyn Jones reflects on leading Plaid Cymru into government for the first time.

27 SEP 2018 Interview

Andy Kerr

Andy Kerr reflects on making tricky spending decisions, trying to reform a “dysfunctional” health system and implementing the smoking ban.

26 SEP 2018 Interview

Alex Neil

Alex Neil reflects on civil service advice, preparing to take on social security powers and attempts to modernise the health system.

14 SEP 2018 Interview

Alun Michael

Alun Michael reflects on the first year of devolution to Wales, the importance of joining up policies at the local level and his time in government.

13 SEP 2018 Interview

Andrew Davies

Andrew Davies was interviewed on 13 September 2018 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.

13 SEP 2018 Interview

Jane Hutt

Jane Hutt talks about taking responsibility for crises as Health Minister and striking deals with opposition parties as Chief Whip.

11 SEP 2018 Interview

Lord German

Lord German reflects on leading the Liberal Democrats into coalition and making the best use of the limited powers of the Welsh Government.

06 SEP 2018 Interview

Lord McConnell

Lord McConnell reflects on managing the first budget of the Scottish Government, becoming First Minister and promoting an outward-looking Scotland.