Working to make government more effective

Working to make government more effective

Keir Starmer and his wife walking to the polling station.
Podcast

Elections 2026: Fragmentation nation

The IfG's devolution experts discuss how significant Thursday night's votes will be for the future of the United Kingdom.

Keir Starmer and Labour government have just faced their biggest electoral test since the 2024 general election. Reform UK are on the rise. The SNP have made big gains. And Plaid Cymru are making history in Wales. The consequences for British politics could be huge. So what happens next?

What will results mean for who governs in Holyrood? Is Wales ready for a whole new governing party? What will the changes – big changes – to England's electoral map mean for Keir Starmer's prospects? And how significant will Thursday night's votes be for the future of the United Kingdom?

People featured in this episode

What we talked about in this episode

Topic
Devolution
Keywords
Local government Local elections The union Intergovernmental relations
United Kingdom
Scotland Wales England
Political party
Labour Scottish National Party Plaid Cymru Reform UK
Position
Prime minister First minister of Scotland First minister of Wales
Administration
Starmer government
Devolved administration
Scottish government Welsh government
Legislature
Scottish parliament Senedd
Public figures
Keir Starmer John Swinney Eluned Morgan
Publisher
Institute for Government

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