Patrick McAlary
Researcher
Patrick's recent work
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Shadow cabinet
Kemi Badenoch has reshuffled her shadow cabinet twice since becoming leader. But who is in it and what experience do they have?
How big is the Labour government’s majority?
There are 650 seats in parliament. At the general election, the government won 411 of them.
By-elections since the 2024 general election
Six by-elections have taken place since the 2024 general election.
Five tips for Labour’s new special advisers
How can spads in the Burnham government get things done?
Government ministers
This explainer sets out what are the different types of ministers, how they are appointed and what they do.
Special advisers
Special advisers (spads) are political appointees hired to support ministers.
Payroll vote
The 'payroll vote' is the body of MPs who hold offices that require them to support the government.
Parliamentary private secretaries
A parliamentary private secretary (PPS) is an MP who serves as an unpaid assistant to a government minister.
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.
Government and academia: How government can better engage with researchers
Government has made great strides in opening itself up to inputs from the UK’s world-leading university sector – but it can do still more.