Working to make government more effective

Patrick McAlary

Researcher

Patrick is a researcher at the Institute, contributing to the work of the ministers team and the IfG Academy. Patrick previously worked with the Centre for Geopolitics and the Centre for Science and Policy at Cambridge and he was a Fellow at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

All work

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13 JAN 2026 Explainer

Government ministers

This explainer sets out what are the different types of ministers, how they are appointed and what they do.

28 NOV 2025 Explainer

Cabinet committees

Cabinet committees are groups of ministers that can “take collective decisions that are binding across government."

28 NOV 2025 Explainer

Payroll vote

The 'payroll vote' is the body of MPs who hold offices that require them to support the government.

24 NOV 2025 Report

Ministers Reflect on the Treasury

Drawing on over a decade of interviews with over 150 ministers, this report explores the Treasury’s role and the tensions it creates across Whitehall.

06 OCT 2025 Explainer

Gender balance in politics

This explainer takes a closer look at how women are represented in parliament, cabinet, among ministers and special advisers.