Ketaki Zodgekar
Research Assistant
All work
Special advisers and the Johnson government
How Boris Johnson's changes to the role of special advisers disempowered ministers and undermined the quality of decision making in government.
Party conferences
Every autumn, UK political parties hold their annual conferences – gatherings of politicians, party members and affiliated groups.
Direct ministerial appointments to the House of Lords
If the prime minister wants to appoint a minister who is not a sitting MP or serving peer, they must ennoble them.
Keir Starmer's first shadow cabinet
Following his election as leader of the Labour Party on 4 April 2020, Keir Starmer conducted an extensive reshuffle of the shadow cabinet.
Sam Gyimah
Sam Gyimah reflects on working across two departments, dealing with prison riots and government’s relationship with universities.
Acting prime ministers
The UK does not have a formal constitutional role of a deputy or caretaker prime minister who would step in if the PM were unable to perform their job
Special advisers
Special advisers (SpAds) are political appointees hired to support ministers.
Boris Johnson government reshuffle - February 2020
Boris Johnson is conducting a reshuffle of his government. Follow the latest developments and analysis from the team at the IfG.
Government reshuffles: the case for keeping ministers in post longer
Boris Johnson should keep his ministers in place – excessive turnover means they never get properly on top of their brief.
Whitehall Monitor 2020
Continued turnover of ministers and civil servants could disrupt the delivery of government projects and policies.