<p> In our report&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/taking-back-control-trade-policy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>Taking back control of trade policy</em></strong></a>, the Institute argued that the government needed a clear trade strategy. So far, the government’s main goal appears to be to strike as many deals as it can. But recent disagreements in cabinet over whether to open UK markets to Australian agricultural produce, and whether UK farmers will be able to compete, suggest that the government is still struggling to make the necessary trade-offs. This panel examined whether the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/blog/trade-strategy-options" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UK has a trade policy</a>, and if so, what it hopes to achieve.</p><p>To discuss these issues, we were joined by:</p><ul><li><strong>Martin Bell</strong>, Deputy Director of Trade at the Scotch Whisky Association</li><li><strong>Anna Isaac</strong>, Incoming Economics Editor at&nbsp;<em>The Independent</em></li><li><strong>Graham Stuart MP</strong>, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Exports) at the Department for International Trade</li><li><strong>Emily Thornberry MP</strong>, Shadow International Trade Secretary</li><li><strong>Nick von Westenholz</strong>, Director of Trade and Business Strategy at the National Farmers Union</li></ul><p>The event was chaired by&nbsp;<strong>James Kane</strong>, Associate&nbsp;at the Institute for Government.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ifgtrade&amp;src=typed_query" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>#IfGtrade</strong></a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>The COP26 climate change summit in November is approaching fast – but where is the plan for the&nbsp;UK to meet its pledge to hit net zero by 2050 or to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035?</p><p>The government has yet to say what it will do – or who it expects to pay for the its plan to drive down emissions. How should costs be distributed between taxpayers, consumers and businesses?&nbsp;Where should the burden fall between current and future generations?</p><p>To debate how to pay for net zero and ensure the UK tackles climate change in a way that maintains public support, the Institute for Government brought together an expert panel for a special IfG Live podcast.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Bim Afolami</strong>, Conservative MP for Hitchin and Harpenden</li><li><strong>Wera Hobhouse</strong>, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath</li><li><strong>Paul Johnson</strong>, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies</li><li><strong>James Meadway</strong>, Director of the Progressive Economy Forum</li></ul><p>Presented by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Audio Production by Candice McKenzie</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>The current government has close ties to Australia, with Australian campaign strategists such as Sir Lynton Crosby and Isaac Levido both having led successful election campaigns for the Conservatives in recent years, and the new trade deal between the UK and Australia agreed in principle in June 2021.</p><p>British politicians also like to point to Australia as an example of policy models to follow – from an ‘Australian-style’ immigration system to the prospect of an ‘Australian-style’ deal with the European Union.</p><p>This event brought together an expert panel to discuss why Australia has so captured the government’s imagination, what the UK is learning from Australia, whether the ‘Australia-style’ label glosses over important differences between the UK and Australia, and also whether there are any Australian policy successes that aren’t yet part of the political debate in the UK.</p><p>Our panel:</p><ul><li><strong>James Starkie</strong>, Founding Partner at 5654 &amp; Company and former Chief of Staff to Priti Patel</li><li><strong>Marc Stears</strong>, Director of the Sydney Policy Lab and former Chief Speechwriter to the Labour Party</li><li><strong>Laura Tingle</strong>, Journalist and Chief Political Correspondent at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation</li><li><strong>John McTernan</strong>, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and&nbsp;former Director of Political Operations for Tony Blair and for Director of Communications for Julia Gillard</li></ul><p>The was chaired by&nbsp;<strong>Jill Rutter</strong>, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFGAus?src=hashtag_click" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#IfGAus</a></p><p><em>We are grateful to&nbsp;Nous&nbsp;for their support with this event</em></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>The G7 in Cornwall was a big opportunity for Boris Johnson to set out his vision for Global Britain. On the agenda was famine prevention, girls’ education, tackling climate change and, of course, recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. But the summit also took place against the backdrop of criticism, at home and abroad, of the government’s decision to cut the UK’s foreign aid budget.</p><p>To assess how much the summit achieved and to discuss what needs to happen next for the UK to reach its global ambitions and priorities, and how it can be a force for global good, the Institute for Government was delighted to bring together the following expert panel:</p><ul><li><strong>Mike Adamson</strong>, Chief Executive of the&nbsp;British Red Cross</li><li><strong>The Rt Hon Baroness Amos</strong>, Master of University College, Oxford and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and former Secretary of State for International Development</li><li><strong>Tobias Ellwood MP</strong>, Chair of the Defence Select Committee</li><li><strong>Laila Johnson-Salami</strong>, Journalist at Arise TV and Founding Member of Feminist Coalition</li></ul><p>The event was&nbsp;be chaired by&nbsp;<strong>Tim Durrant</strong>, Associate Director at the Institute for Government.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ifgg7&amp;src=typed_query" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>#IfGG7</strong></a></p><p><em>We would like to thank British Red Cross for kindly supporting this event.</em></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

How can the government make the most of its post-Brexit freedoms?

Bronwen Maddox speaks to the Chief Economist at the Bank of England

<p>The prime minister says a "green recovery” will be at the heart of the UK's post-pandemic comeback. But his government has so far set out less ambitious measures than some other countries and it cancelled its flagship scheme, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/blog/treasury-should-not-axe-green-homes-grant" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Green Homes Grant</a>, after six months due to low take up.</p><p>With the UK hosting the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/net-zero" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">COP26 climate conference</a>&nbsp;in November, this panel discussed what combination of policies, public and private investment and skills programmes will be needed to turn the government's vision of a green recovery into reality.</p><p>On our panel were:</p><ul><li><strong>Josh Buckland</strong>, Director at Flint Global and&nbsp;former Energy Adviser to the Secretary of State&nbsp;for Business, Energy and&nbsp;Industrial Strategy</li><li><strong>Sam Fankhauser</strong>, Professor of Climate Change Economics and Policy at the University of Oxford</li><li><strong>Rosa Hodgkin</strong>, Researcher at the Institute for Government</li><li><strong>Bridget Rosewell</strong>, Commissioner for the National Infrastructure Commission</li></ul><p><strong>Catherine McGuinness</strong>, Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee at the City of London Corporation, made the opening remarks.</p><p>The event was chaired by&nbsp;<strong>Dr Gemma Tetlow</strong>, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ifgnetzero&amp;src=typed_query" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#IfGnetzero</a></p><p><em>We would like to thank the City of London Corporation for kindly supporting this event.</em></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>The vote to leave the European Union&nbsp;on&nbsp;23 June 2016 marked the start of a tumultuous period in British politics. The government was set&nbsp;on&nbsp;a collision course with parliament over what Brexit really meant. The civil service began to untangle 43&nbsp;years&nbsp;of EU membership, building up new capabilities and preparing for new responsibilities. And the Brexit effect placed the United Kingdom under huge strain – with growing support for independence in Scotland and a new border in the Irish Sea.</p><p>What impact has the referendum had&nbsp;on&nbsp;the governance of the UK? Has control really returned to parliament, or to the government? And what does Brexit mean for the future of the union?</p><p>To mark&nbsp;five&nbsp;years&nbsp;since the end of the referendum, the Institute for Government brought together people who were either involved in, or had front-row seats to, this remarkable period in British politics.</p><p>On&nbsp;the panel were:</p><ul><li><strong>Katy Balls</strong>, Deputy Political Editor at&nbsp;<em>The Spectator</em></li><li><strong>Luke Graham</strong>, former MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, 2017-19, and former head of the Union Unit in No.10</li><li><strong>Lord McDonald of Salford</strong>, former Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 2015-20</li><li><strong>Lisa O’Carroll</strong>, Brexit Correspondent at&nbsp;<em>The Guardian</em></li></ul><p>The event was chaired by&nbsp;<strong>Maddy Thimont Jack</strong>, Associate Director at the Institute for Government.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFGBrexit?src=hashtag_click" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#IfGBrexit</a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

Five years since the Referendum, what have we learned?

Can the Government make its slogan a reality?

<p>As the economy recovers from the pandemic, the government wants to ‘build back better’ and ‘level up’. Improving public health could play an important role in achieving these objectives. We are a less healthy nation than many of our European neighbours, and there are huge differences in health between more and less prosperous parts of the UK. This affects quality of life as well as how productively people can work.</p><p>How can public health policy form a part of the levelling up agenda? What is the appropriate role for government and businesses in promoting good public health? What interventions would make a difference and what incentives would help people to get healthier?</p><p>To discuss these questions and more, we are delighted to bring together an expert panel featuring:</p><ul><li><strong>Jo Bibby</strong>, Director of Health at the Health Foundation</li><li><strong>Professor Sir Michael Marmot</strong>, Professor of Epidemiology at University College London, Director of the UCL Institute of Health Equity and Past President of the World Medical Association</li><li><strong>Nigel Wilson</strong>, Group Chief Executive at Legal &amp; General</li><li><strong>Tina Woods</strong>, Founder and CEO of Collider Health and CEO and co-founder of Longevity International</li></ul><p>The event is chaired by&nbsp;<strong>Dr Gemma Tetlow</strong>, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government, with an introduction by&nbsp;<strong>Bronwen Maddox</strong>, Director of the Institute for Government.</p><p>#IfGlevellingup</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

With Lord Ricketts and Sir Peter Westmacott

With special guest Gus O’Donnell

<p>Boris Johnson has announced that a public inquiry into the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic will start next year. Following the publication of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/coronavirus-inquiry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our paper</a>, which set out the case for an inquiry and how it should be run, this Institute for Government event discussed how the inquiry can succeed.</p><p>How can the inquiry ensure important issues aren't missed and findings are delivered in a reasonable time? What is the role of parliament and the public in shaping the purpose of the inquiry and ensuring that the government follows up on its findings? Who should lead the inquiry and what type of person should sit on its panel?</p><p>Discussing these questions were:</p><ul><li><strong>Sir Lawrence Freedman</strong>, Professor of War Studies at King’s College London and committee member for the Chilcot Inquiry</li><li><strong>Sally Warren</strong>, Director of Policy at The King’s Fund</li><li><strong>Sir Bernard Jenkin</strong>, Chair of the House of Commons Liaison Committee</li><li><strong>Layla Moran</strong>, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus&nbsp;</li></ul><p>The event was&nbsp;chaired by&nbsp;<strong>Marcus Shepheard</strong>, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government.</p><p><strong>#IfGCovidinquiry</strong></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>The legacy of Richard, Viscount Haldane can be seen across modern Britain. But why has modern Britain forgotten the many and wide-ranging accomplishments of this philosopher-statesman?</p><p>The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome&nbsp;<strong>John Campbell,</strong>&nbsp;author of&nbsp;<em>Haldane: The Forgotten Statesman Who Shaped Modern Britain,&nbsp;</em>and<strong>&nbsp;Sir Anthony Seldon</strong>, historian and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, to discuss his life and legacy.</p><p>Richard Haldane created the Territorial Army and the British Expeditionary Force and was a key player in the formation of MI5, MI6, and the RAF. In academia, he played a big part in founding and developing the LSE, Imperial College, the ‘redbrick’ universities, and the Medical Research Council. His work in science and research with the University Grants Committee was catalytic in British university life, and his name is still frequently invoked in the "Haldane principle" – that the aims of research should be separate from government direction – although the principle and indeed the attribution to him are still hotly debated. A formidable lawyer and philosopher, who rose to be Lord Chancellor, he was the first incumbent of that office to advocate an independent Supreme Court.</p><p>In a conversation chaired by&nbsp;<strong>Bronwen Maddox</strong>, the Director of the Institute for Government, John Campbell and Sir Anthony Seldon discussed Haldane's influence on the past and present. John Campbell, who describes himself as a lifelong admirer of Haldane, is also co-founder and chair of Campbell Lutyens, an international private equity and infrastructure advisory house.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IfGHaldaneprinciple?src=hashtag_click" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#IfGHaldaneprinciple</a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>The future of EU citizens living in the UK was one of the big sticking points of the Brexit talks. In the 2019 Withdrawal Agreement, the UK agreed to establish an Independent Monitoring Authority to oversee the protections of the rights of EU citizens living in the UK before the end of the transition period.</p><p>What are the IMA’s priorities? What are its concerns? What progress has been made and what are the key challenges ahead?</p><p>Five months after the IMA’s launch, and with the 30 June deadline for EU citizens to register for settled, or pre-settled, status fast approaching, the IfG was pleased to welcome the new IMA chair and members of its senior team for a wide-ranging discussion on the IMA’s vital role.</p><p>Our panel</p><ul><li><strong>Sir Ashley Fox,&nbsp;</strong>Chair of the&nbsp;Independent Monitoring Authority</li><li><strong>Kate Chamberlain,</strong>&nbsp;Chief Executive of the&nbsp;Independent Monitoring Authority</li><li><strong>Pam Everett,&nbsp;</strong>Director of Operational Delivery at the Independent Monitoring Authority</li><li><strong>Rhys Davies,&nbsp;</strong>General Counsel at the&nbsp;Independent Monitoring Authority&nbsp;</li></ul><p>The event was chaired by&nbsp;<strong>Jill Rutter</strong>, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFGBrexit?src=hashtag_click" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#IfGBrexit</a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>Crucial elections took place across the UK on 6 May. The result in Scotland could have huge consequences for the UK's future. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/elections-2021-senedd-cymru" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">election in Wales</a>&nbsp;is the most unpredictable since devolution. And across England, voters have elected the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/elections-2021-london-assembly" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mayors of London</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/elections-2021-metro-mayors" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">other English cities</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/elections-2021-police-crime-commissioners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">39 police and crime commissioners</a>&nbsp;and several thousand&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/local-government" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">councillors</a>. The impact on the national political debate could be significant.</p><p>To make sense of the results and analyse what they mean, the Institute for Government held a special post-election expert discussion.</p><p>What will the votes mean for the major parties? How will the result in Scotland affect the independence question? What comes next in the devolution debate? And what will the mayors of the big English cities do with their powers?</p><p>Our panel:</p><ul><li><strong>Kieran Andrews,</strong>&nbsp;Scottish Political Editor at&nbsp;<em>The Times</em></li><li><strong>Professor Laura McAllister,&nbsp;</strong>Professor of Public Policy at the Wales Governance Centre, University of Cardiff</li><li><strong>Professor Tony Travers</strong>, Professor in Practice in the&nbsp;Department of Government, London School of Economics</li><li><strong>Jess Sargeant</strong>, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government</li></ul><p>The event was chaired by&nbsp;<strong>Akash Paun</strong>, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IfGdevo?src=hashtag_click" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#IfGDevo</a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome the three newly appointed leaders of data, digital and technology in government.&nbsp;<strong>Paul Willmott</strong>, Chair of the Central Digital and Data Office,&nbsp;<strong>Joanna Davinson</strong>, Executive Director of the Central Digital and Data Office, and&nbsp;<strong>Tom Read</strong>, Chief Executive Officer of the Government Digital Service, was in conversation with&nbsp;<strong>Alex Thomas</strong>, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.</p><p>The Central Data and Digital Office was established earlier this year, and its work will complement that of the Government Digital Service, which is approaching its tenth anniversary. The event explored Paul, Joanna and Tom’s visions for the next phase of digital delivery and transformation in government, and their respective priorities for the coming year.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFGdigital?src=hashtag_click" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>#IfGdigital</strong></a></p><p><em>The Institute for Government would like to thank Oracle for kindly supporting this event.​</em></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

Lessons from the Covid pandemic

<p>The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome&nbsp;<strong>Ambassador João Vale de Almeida,&nbsp;</strong>the EU Ambassador to the UK.</p><p>The start of the post-Brexit relationship between the UK and the EU has been marked by tensions over vaccine distribution and the Northern Ireland protocol. But these are also issues where close co-operation is needed. How should the UK and the EU work together to implement the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the Northern Ireland protocol? What are the other areas of shared interest ahead of the G7 summit and United Nations climate conference? What can be done to improve relations between the EU and the UK post-Brexit?</p><p>To discuss these questions and more, João Vale de Almeida was in conversation with&nbsp;<strong>Bronwen Maddox</strong>, Director of the Institute for Government.</p><p><em>João Vale de Almeida previously served as the EU Ambassador to the United Nations 2015-19 and the EU Ambassador to the US 2010-14.</em></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFGBrexit?src=hashtag_click" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#IfGBrexit</a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

How to scale up successful changes

<p>The arrival of Covid-19 forced parliament to innovate rapidly and experiment with new ways of working. These had a dramatic impact on the way MPs and peers did their jobs – with implications for the effectiveness and inclusivity of our legislature. What innovations should be kept, what should be dropped and who should decide?</p><p>This event brought together an expert panel to discuss these important questions.</p><ul><li><strong>Tracey Crouch</strong>, MP for Chatham and Aylesford</li><li><strong>Matthew Hamlyn</strong>, Strategic Director, Chamber Business Team at&nbsp;House of Commons</li><li><strong>Philip Norton</strong>&nbsp;(Lord Norton of Louth), Professor of Government at the University of Hull and President of the Study of Parliament Group</li></ul><p>The event was chaired by&nbsp;<strong>Dr Hannah White OBE</strong>, Deputy&nbsp;Director of the Institute for Government.</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IFGParliament?src=hashtag_click" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>#IfGParliament</strong></a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>Following the publication of&nbsp;<em>What Does Jeremy Think?: Jeremy Heywood and the Making of Modern Britain</em>, Lady Suzanne Heywood joins IfG director Bronwen Maddox for a fascinating discussion about the life and career of the former Cabinet Secretary.</p><br><p>Suzanne Heywood discusses her late husband’s experiences at the heart of government alongside four prime ministers, his views on the civil service, and how he navigated the uncharted territory of the Brexit referendum and its tumultuous fall-out. With the Greensill saga rocking British politics, she also discusses Jeremy Heywood’s thinking behind bringing Lex Greensill into government, and why he believed the private sector can play a vital role in improving the way government works.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Suzanne Heywood was married to Jeremy Heywood from 1997 until his death in 2018. She worked as a civil servant in the Treasury and for McKinsey and Company before joining Exor in 2016. The biography&nbsp;<em>What does Jeremy Think?: Jeremy Heywood and the making of Modern Britain</em>, began as a joint effort between Jeremy and Suzanne. It was published earlier this year.</p><br><p>Audio production by Candice McKenzie</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>Three centuries have passed since Robert Walpole became the first prime minister of Great Britain. The context of government has changed enormously, but aspects of the role remain the same. Of the 55 people who held the post some achieved greatness, some struggled with circumstances, others failed dismally.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>So what is the key to being a successful prime minister? How does Boris Johnson compare to his predecessors? And does the job itself need a fundamental makeover?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A fascinating new IFG LIVE discussion looks back on 300 years of prime ministers, and explores the pressures and pitfalls of being at the top of the political greasy pole.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>With</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Iain Dale</strong>, broadcaster and author of The Prime Ministers</li><li><strong>Francis Elliott</strong>, director of advocacy at&nbsp;<a href="http://engagebritain.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">engagebritain.org</a>, former political editor of The Times and biographer of David Cameron</li><li><strong>Rosa Prince</strong>, editor of The House Magazine and biographer of Theresa May</li><li><strong>Anthony Seldon</strong>, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/politics-international-relations/british-government-politics-and-policy/impossible-office-history-british-prime-minister?format=HB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Impossible Office: The History of the British Prime Minister</a></li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Presented by&nbsp;<strong>Catherine Haddon</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Audio production by Candice McKenzie</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>

<p>Boris Johnson’s priority was clear when he appointed his first cabinet in 2019: delivering Brexit. Now, months after the UK has left the Brexit transition period, and a year into a global pandemic, the prime minister is reportedly planning to&nbsp;reshuffle&nbsp;his ministerial team.</p><p>What should the prime minister be looking for as he plans to&nbsp;reshuffle&nbsp;his cabinet? What lessons can be learnt from previous&nbsp;reshuffles? Who might we see in the next cabinet? And what is it like being a minister during a&nbsp;reshuffle?</p><p>Our panel to discuss these questions:</p><ul><li><strong>Katy Balls</strong>, Deputy Political Editor at<em>&nbsp;The Spectator</em></li><li><strong>Salma Shah,&nbsp;</strong>former Special Adviser to Sajid Javid</li><li><strong>Ben Riley-Smith,&nbsp;</strong>Political Editor at the&nbsp;<em>Daily Telegraph</em></li><li><strong>The Rt Hon Lord Young of Cookham,&nbsp;</strong>former Leader of the House of Commons and Chief Whip</li></ul><p>The event was chaired by&nbsp;<strong>Tim Durrant</strong>, Associate Director at the Institute for Government.</p><p><strong>#IfGReshuffle</strong></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>