With guest Paul Goodman of Conservative Home

<p><strong>A special cross-post from our </strong><a href="https://shows.acast.com/ifg-live-discussions-with-the-institute-for-government" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>IFG LIVE feed</strong></a><strong>.</strong> The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement was published on Christmas Eve, just a week before the transition period was due to end. So what does the deal mean for the UK – and for its relationship with the EU? What will change for businesses? How will data be shared? Will the EU and the UK continue to work closely on security issues? How was the contentious issue of fishing finally sorted? And what does ‘taking back control’ really mean in practice?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Institute for Government Brexit team assembles for a special Brexit deal podcast to make sense of what has been agreed and what will happen on January 1.&nbsp;Hear <strong>Jill Rutter</strong>, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government, in conversation with <strong>Maddy Thimont Jack</strong> (Associate Director), <strong>James Kane</strong> (Associate), <strong>Georgina Wright</strong> (Associate), and <strong>Joe Marshall</strong> (Senior Researcher). Audio production by Candice McKenzie. #IfGBrexit</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>

An IfG Christmas Special

<p>From Barnard Castle to Brussels, from Wuhan to the White House, it has been a year of unprecedented challenges, impossible choices, huge governmental gambles and astonishing mis-steps. Will 2020 prove to be a wild aberration or a turning point for the business of British government? Our crack team of analysts returns from the (virtual) IfG Christmas Party to discuss the successes and failures of a year of crisis, from the pandemic emergency measures to the reform of the Civil service to, yes, Brexit.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><em>“We’ve seen a Prime Minister who struggles to rise to the enormity of what he’s faced with</em>.” – <strong>Jill Rutter</strong></li><li><em>“The Government’s communications have been so poor that they obscured many of their own successes.”</em> – <strong>Alex Thomas</strong></li><li><em>“There is a growing narrative about Keir Starmer sitting on the fence. Labour need to address that next year”</em><strong> – Maddy Thimont-Jack</strong></li><li><em>“A hard rain fell on a lot of civil servants before it fell on Dominic Cummings himself.”</em> – <strong>Bronwen Maddox</strong></li><li><em>“Boris Johnson’s optimism has led him into a cycle of overpromising and under-delivering.”</em> – <strong>Jill Rutter</strong></li><li><em>“To say the peak has passed and you can go out, and then see ANOTHER peak…&nbsp;that could be a blow that a government might not recover from.”</em> – <strong>Alex Thomas</strong></li></ul><p>Hosted by Bronwen Maddox with Jill Rutter, Alex Thomas and Maddy Thimont-Jack. <strong>Audio production by Alex Rees</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>

With special guest Ed Conway, Sky economics editor and Times columnist

What are his priorities on COVID, the economy and UK trade?

Brexit: The Eleventh Hour

With special guest Iain Dale

How will the government handle the end of Brexit transition alongside coronavirus?

<p>With eyewatering sums spent on the COVID crisis and Britain facing the lowest growth since the 1700s, will <strong>Rishi Sunak’s spending review</strong> do enough to keep the public finances from meltdown? Will the public sector pay freeze really make a difference? And are the health risks of saving Christmas worth the potential political gain?&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><ul><li><em>“This is a good year to have bad figures… If there was ever a year to do a lot of borrowing, it’s this year.”</em><strong><em> – Giles Wilkes</em></strong></li><li><em>“It’s strange when Sunak has spent billions this year and we’re debating whether he’s a generous or a tough chancellor.”</em><strong><em> – Tom Pope</em></strong></li><li><em>“Sunak seems to have got the politics right. Whether it’s the right thing for the country remains to be seen.”</em><strong><em> –&nbsp;Giles Wilkes</em></strong></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Presented by Bronwen Maddox with Gemma Tetlow, Tom Pope and Giles Wilkes. <strong>Audio production by Alex Rees</strong></p><p><br></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>Can Boris Johnson make his reset stick? Will changing his advisors change his problems? Is No.10 getting nervous as the Brexit endgame looms? And what does the departure of Dominic Cummings mean for the use of digital data to revolutionise government? <a href="https://twitter.com/johnmcternan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>John McTernan</strong></a>, political strategist and former Director of Political Operations to Prime Minister Tony Blair, joins us to hack through the thickets of government.</p><p><br></p><ul><li><em>“This is Theresa May all over again. It wasn’t the advisors that were the problem. The Prime Minister is the problem.” </em><strong><em>– John McTernan</em></strong></li><li><em>“If you can’t reset your character, you can’t reset your government.”</em><strong><em> – John McTernan</em></strong></li><li><em>“Gordon Brown was right. The UK may not be breaking up but governance is definitely breaking down.”</em><strong><em> – John McTernan</em></strong></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Presented by Bronwen Maddox with Alex Thomas, Jill Rutter and Gavin Freeguard. <strong>Audio production by Alex Rees</strong></p><br><p><br></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>What does the <strong>defenestration of Lee Cain</strong> from No.10 mean for the Vote Leave faction that got Johnson into power? Who are the Conservatives’ restive ‘<strong>Covid Recovery Group</strong>’ and what do they want? As <strong>the end of Brexit transition</strong> looms, does the PM have to choose between the economic damage of No Deal and the political damage of caving to the EU? And will government ever get out of London? This week’s special guest is <strong>Peter Foster</strong>, public policy editor at the FT.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><ul><li><em>“People should be really clear: we’re going back to 1992. The big political calculation is, does Johnson want to own this deal?”</em><strong><em> – Peter Foster</em></strong></li><li><em>“Seeing through the fog, this is all about the Prime Minister’s authority…&nbsp;and he’s failed to make clear what his decision is.”</em><strong><em> – Peter Foster</em></strong></li><li><em>“If No Deal happens it’s a lot easier to blame disruption on the EU.”</em><strong><em> - Maddy Thimont Jack</em></strong></li><li><em>“If we’re heading towards No Deal, the Government will put extraordinary pressure on the Lords to let the clauses through” – </em><strong><em>Alex Thomas</em></strong></li><li><em>“Westminster still treats the regions like distant colonies” </em><strong><em>– Peter Foster</em></strong></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Presented by Bronwen Maddox with Alex Thomas, Maddy Thimont-Jack and Sarah Nickson. <strong>Audio production by Alex Rees</strong></p><br><p><br></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>After an incredible week, and even with votes still being counted, we now know that Joe Biden has won the US presidential election. But Donald Trump is refusing to concede that he last lost, and is instead mounting a series of legal challenges. So what happens now? How does a smooth transition of power work in this scenario? What will Donald Trump do next – and what next for Trumpism? How will Joe Biden lead – and reset – the US? What does his election mean for the special relationship? And how will President Biden work with Boris Johnson?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In this special edition of the Institute for Government podcast, Bronwen Maddox is joined by Henry Zeffman, Washington correspondent for the Times, the New York Times’ London bureau chief Mark Landler, and IfG senior researcher Alice Lilly. 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>

How to balance scientific and economic evidence

US Election with guest Yasmeen Serhan of The Atlantic

<p>There’s no escaping COVID19, and with calls for a ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown growing by the day, how is the Government coping as the pressure mounts? And with Number 10 sidelining the devolved administrations, Jess Sargeant joins to discuss the impact of the Britain’s varied coronavirus response. Plus, with the US Presidential election less than a week away, what will the result mean for the UK?</p><p><br></p><ul><li>“Boris Johnson hasn’t found a way to navigate between the scientists and his backbenchers” - Mark Landler</li><li>“Whether or not the Government acts now affects if people can see their families at Christmas” - Cath Haddon</li><li>“Angela Merkel has political capital to spend on a lockdown that Boris Johnson does not” - Alex Thomas</li><li>“Closing borders is not a sustainable solution, practically or politically” - Jess Sargeant</li><li>“Biden would not view a UK-US trade deal as a priority” - Mark Landler</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Presented by Hannah White with Cath Haddon, Alex Thomas, Jess Sargeant and Mark Landler. Audio production by Alex Rees.</p><br><p><br></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>

Andy Burnham, Marcus Rashford and the trouble with SpAds

<p>First birthday edition! Is Boris Johnson’s tiers-based compromise on fighting COVID worse than simply biting the bullet of a national lockdown? Is Westminster command-and-control creating an irreparable breach between London, Scotland, Wales and the North of England? And does that road end in full devolution? <strong>JACK BLANCHARD</strong>, UK politics editor at <a href="http://politico.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">politico.com</a>, is our special guest.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><ul><li><em>“It’s very hard to find anyone who thinks the tiers approach is really going to work.”</em><strong><em> –&nbsp;Jack Blanchard</em></strong></li><li><em>“We assume that the Government has good reasons for its approach, not just ‘We’re frightened of the lockdown sceptics’.”</em><strong><em> – Jill Rutter</em></strong></li><li><em>“There is no worse way to win hearts and minds than to have scenes of angry disagreement like we saw this week.”</em><strong><em> – Jack Blanchard</em></strong></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Presented by Bronwen Maddox with Jill Rutter and Cath Haddon. <strong>Audio production by Alex Rees</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>

An IfG Live Extra

<p>Is the smorgasbord of <strong>Big Ideas</strong> that Boris Johnson announced to the virtual Conservative Conference actually deliverable? Do plans for the Saudi Arabia of wind, expanded social care and a New Jerusalem all at once contradict one another? And as the Corona bills come in, is crunch time on the way for former distributor of good news and sunshine Rishi Sunak? Special guest <strong>SALMA SHAH</strong>, former advisor to Sajid Javid, joins us for the IfG’s own autumn statement.&nbsp;</p><ul><li><em>“Nobody doubts that the Government can make big announcements. The question is whether they can deliver it.”</em><strong><em> – Jill Rutter</em></strong></li><li><em>“This wasn’t a traditionally Conservative speech and this isn’t a traditional Conservative government.”</em><strong><em> –&nbsp;Salma Shah</em></strong></li><li><em>“When we hear about 30 year mortgages or social care or offshore wind, it’s fair to wonder why nobody’s delivered them so far. And the answer is, it’s hard.”</em><strong><em> - Giles Wilkes</em></strong></li><li><em>“We’ve had two consecutive governments that are, for Conservatives, amazingly uninterested in what business has to say.”</em><strong><em> –&nbsp;Jill Rutter</em></strong></li></ul><p>Presented by Bronwen Maddox with Jill Rutter and Giles Wilkes. <strong>Audio production by Alex Rees</strong></p><br><p><br></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>As the EU gives notice of legal action against Britain, are the trade talks about to enter the Tunnel, the Submarine or total meltdown? Is Lindsay Hoyle right to accuse the Government of holding Parliament in contempt with its overreach on Corona powers? Is a Tory backbench rebellion brewing already – and could some internecine warfare be a good look for embattled Boris Johnson? And can Dominic Cummings just snap his fingers and bring a billion-dollar tech giant to life just like that?&nbsp;</p><br><p><em>“This looks like an increasing war between backbenchers and Boris Johnson and his advisors.” – </em><strong><em>Jill Rutter</em></strong></p><p><em>“The Government thinks that under these circumstances, Parliament should be a rubber stamp. But MPs think you make better policy by debating it.” – </em><strong><em>Hannah White</em></strong></p><p><em>“It’s not always a bad look for a PM to be fighting a lone battle, as long as it’s for the right thing.” – </em><strong><em>Giles Wilkes</em></strong></p><p><em>“The Government seems in tune with public opinion but not with the libertarian wing of its own party.” – </em><strong><em>Jill Rutter</em></strong></p><br><p>Presented by Bronwen Maddox with Hannah White, Jill Rutter and Giles Wilkes. Audio production by Alex Rees</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>As the COVID outlook worsens dramatically, can Boris Johnson make another six months of restrictions stick? Is Rishi Sunak’s new Job Support Scheme just the old furlough in disguise, and will it hold back a tide of autumn job losses? And how prepared are public services for an extended crisis? Special guest <strong>Sir David Lidington</strong>, former de facto Deputy Prime Minister, explains the consequences of a new near-lockdown for consumer confidence, public health and the Government’s stability.&nbsp;</p><br><p><em>“If you don’t get the tax receipts coming in from the economy then you’ll have some very difficult decisions about public spending.” –</em><strong> David Lidington</strong></p><br><p><em>“The Government needs to be seen to reach out… Metro mayors and local authorities need to be partners not adversaries.” </em>– <strong>David Lidington</strong></p><br><p><em>“MPs who brief the papers about how unhappy they are generally do not speak for the majority of the Parliamentary party”</em> – <strong>David Lidington</strong></p><br><p><br></p><p>Presented by Bronwen Maddox with Cath Haddon, Nick Davies and Gemma Tetlow. Audio production by Alex Rees</p><p><br></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 guest Anoosh Chakelian of the New Statesman

<p>As Boris Johnson attempts to feed the Withdrawal Bill into a shredder marked “Internal Market Bill”, what does it mean for the rule of law, civil servants and the devolved nations when a government tries to abrogate international law? And as a new IfG report shows the Government’s plans to reach zero carbon by 2050 are way off track, what does it need to do to meet this ambitious target – and what will it cost?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><br><p>“I can’t see any way this gets through the Lords in its current form.” – <strong>Alex Thomas&nbsp;</strong></p><p>“The nature of the law is, you don’t get to choose when to follow it – because it’s the law.” – <strong>Raphael Hogarth</strong></p><p>“Some of the rationale for this is reasonable and some of it is Mad Max chaos and destruction.” – <strong>Alex Thomas</strong></p><br><p>Presented by Bronwen Maddox with Maddy Thimont-Jack, Alex Thomas and Raphael Hogarth. Audio production by Alex Rees</p><p><br></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>

What's in store for the new Cabinet Secretary?