Catherine Haddon
Senior Fellow
Cath's recent work
All work
By-elections
How are by-elections triggered?
Does Andy Burnham have a mandate?
Labour’s opponents are demanding that the next prime minister call an early general election.
Effective transitions of prime minister: lessons for Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham needs to be ruthless with his time and priorities in his preparations for power
Replacing a prime minister during a general election campaign
Can a prime minister be replaced during an election campaign?
Preparation for government by opposition parties or leadership challengers
What is a transition of government?
Labour leadership uncertainty highlights growing ignorance about the UK’s constitution
Talk of acting prime ministers and shutting down government risks creating constitutional confusion.
Ten things we learned from the King’s Speech 2026
What did the King’s Speech tell us about the government’s priorities for the new session?
Cabinet manual
The cabinet manual is a document which sets out rules and procedures for the operation of government.
King's Speech
The King's Speech is part of the State Opening of Parliament, the formal beginning of each new session of parliament.
What happens if a prime minister loses their seat in a general election?
At every general election there is a possibility that a party's leader would not be returned to parliament.