Mid-term prime ministers – Episode 3: Adjusting to the role

Every new prime minister arrives in No.10 with a view about what brought down their predecessor as well as ringside seat to the downfall. So after convincing their colleagues why a change of prime minister is necessary, what happens when the new PM's belief in his or her skills and talents meet the reality of the biggest job in British politics?

How easy it is to learn on the job? What is the right balance between continuity and reinventing the government? And how good is the UK at preparing for mid-term changes of PM?

In this final episode of this special IfG podcast series, we’re going to look at how incoming mid-term prime ministers adjust to the role, the dilemma of whether to call an early general election, and what lessons former mid-term transitions hold for Andy Burnham’s premiership – or future – mid-term PMs.

Featuring Gus O’Donnell, Mark Sedwill, Helen MacNamara, Simon Case, Stewart Wood, Salma Shah, Lee Cain, Asa Bennett and Rupert Yorke.