Akash Paun
Programme Director
Akash's recent work
All work
Intergovernmental relations
How do officials and ministers across the UK cooperate and resolve disputes?
What is local government reorganisation?
Unitarisation is a type of local government reorganisation that replaces separate county and district councils with a single tier of local authorities
Ministers should lose their sweeping powers to delay local elections
The back-and-forth over election timings has been bad for central and local government alike.
Learning from the DevoLab #2: How mayors can secure investment into regional economies
Three case studies of how devolved powers and mayoral influence have been used to secure investment into regional economies.
Local elections 2026
On Thursday, 7 May 2026, local elections will take place in many parts of England.
Learning from the DevoLab #3: How devolution can improve transport connectivity
Three case studies of how devolved powers and mayoral influence have been used to improve transport connectivity.
Labour should introduce the alternative vote system for mayoral elections
The alternative vote would be fairer and more appropriate than the system the government favours.
Scottish independence
How could a second referendum on Scottish independence happen?
Welsh independence
Does the Welsh public support independence?
Mayoral elections in priority areas should be held in May 2027 at the very latest
The government has not made a convincing case for postponement.