Working to make government more effective

Working to make government more effective

Keir Starmer and Donald Trump at a table.
Podcast

Donald Trumps Starmer’s new year plans

Lawrence Freedman joins the podcast team to ask what Donald Trump's foreign plans mean for the UK.

With US military strikes on Venezuela dominating headlines, Lawrence Freedman joins the podcast team to ask what Donald Trump's foreign plans mean for the UK – and assess whether Keir Starmer’s Trump strategy will hold in 2026.

The prime minister found his January announcements knocked off the front pages – but was anyone really listening? We explore the government challenges facing Starmer and his team in the year ahead.

Plus: Ed Balls, Wes Streeting, Mel Stride, Louise Casey, Ayesha Hazarika, Andy Burham and more. We preview the IfG annual conference.
 

What we talked about in this episode

People featured in this episode

Topic
International relations Civil service
Keywords
Foreign affairs Trade Civil servants Civil service reform Government reform Missions
Country (international)
United States
Political party
Labour
Position
Prime minister
Administration
Starmer government
Department
Number 10
Public figures
Keir Starmer Donald Trump
Publisher
Institute for Government

Related content

20 FEB 2026 Podcast

All roads lead to Romeo

The IfG's experts are in the studio to discuss the tasks ahead for new cabinet secretary Antonia Romeo, ethical standards and local elections U-turn.

03 MAR 2026 Podcast

Trump vs Iran: Is the UK ready for war?

Sir Alex Younger, former head of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), joins us to discuss what the US strikes on Iran mean for global security.