<p>Dominic Cummings wants to make “seismic” changes to the way government works. Can the PM’s supreme advisor pull off such radical transformations in short order? And are his reforms really all that radical, or just designed to look that way? Special guest <strong>James Kirkup</strong> of the Social Market Foundation joins us to discuss what levelling up government” really means – and whether proper scrutiny is a thing of the past in an age of massive majorities.</p><br><p>Plus, secrets of how new MPs look busy. Can Boris Johnson really ban the word Brexit? The march of the “misfits and weirdos”. And the undiscovered political power of the English-not-British. And we talk to Tony Blair’s former Chief of Staff <strong>Jonathan Powell</strong> about the limits of power and the bear-traps hidden in the heart of Whitehall. Watch out for a special extended version of the interview in your podcast feed.</p><br><p>“These are the beginning of the lean years for lobby journalists who have for three years feasted on huge fatted corpses.” - James Kirkup</p><br><p>Hosted by Bronwen Maddox with Cath Haddon and Hannah White. 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>

Plus key Brexiter Douglas Carswell, and the legacy of Cameron

As the SNP sweeps Scotland in the General Election, can the Union survive?

What the Conservative victory means for Brexit, trade, services… and fish?

<p>As the General Election goes down to the wire, we’re joined by special guest&nbsp;<strong>Sebastian Payne</strong>&nbsp;of the Financial Times to look at campaign control freakery and the constitutional uncertainty that surrounds this unpredictable vote. What happens if there’s a hung parliament but the biggest party can’t form a government? Can the PM just stay in place? And what would happen if Boris Johnson lost his seat?</p><br><p>Plus, the&nbsp;<strong>social care</strong>&nbsp;crisis is a pressing issue for government but why are politicians so terrified of touching it? Nick Davies of the IfG tells us why this politically radioactive issue urgently needs cross-party consensus.&nbsp;</p><br><p>And with political journalism under the spotlight as seldom before, we speak to&nbsp;<strong>Jo Coburn</strong>, formidable presenter of the BBC’s Daily Politics show, about the challenges of fake news, unconscious bias and dealing with politicians who simply refuse to turn up to face scrutiny. “When parties attack us, I think they’re losing the argument,” she says. “It’s an easy hit to blame journalists when we bend over backwards to ensure we represent every shade of opinion.”</p><br><p>All this plus Seb Payne coining the world “Coalitious”. Remember that one for future use.&nbsp;</p><br><p>Hosted by Bronwen Maddox with Cath Haddon and Hannah White plus Gavin Freeguard and Nick Davies. Audio production by Alex Rees.&nbsp;</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>

Why the magic money tree keeps on growing

Can the election really make sense of it all?

What happens to the best-laid plans of mice and ministers?

A brand new Speaker, Take Out The Trash Day and veteran Lib Dem strategist Olly Grender

Why is good behaviour from the public bad for the public finances?

Can Boris do the Deal? Plus the future of outsourcing

Debut episode of the Institute for Government podcast