Ministers Reflect
Interviews with former ministers on the realities of the role and how to be effective in government.
There is much to learn from former ministers
The IfG's Ministers Reflect archive offers a rare insight into government.
Ministers Reflect in universities
More and more academics are using our Ministers Reflect interviews in their work.
Ministers Reflect: What is it really like leading a government department?
This one-day conference discussed what we can learn from the IfG's Ministers Reflect interviews and how ministers can approach the job.
Explore all interviews
Johnny Mercer
Johnny Mercer discusses his work on veterans’ issues, trying to pass legislation in parliament. He also discusses working with Boris Johnson.
Estelle Morris
Baroness Morris talks about her six years in DfE, including her perspective as a former teacher and the shift to a targets-orientated culture.
Alun Davies
Alun Davies was interviewed on 12 October 2021 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.
Jeane Freeman
Jeane Freeman was interviewed on 5 October 2021 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.
Danny Kennedy
Danny Kennedy reflects on his time as minister relations within the Northern Ireland executive and assembly and the challenges of cross-party working.
Kirsty Williams
Kirsty Williams discusses her time in the Welsh government, being a lone Liberal Democrat minister and the challenges raised by the Covid pandemic.
Ken Skates
Ken Skates reflects on his time in the Welsh government following the EU referendum and during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Claire Sugden
Claire Sugden reflects on her time as justice minister for Northern Ireland and her experience of being an independent member of the executive.
Stephen Farry
Dr Stephen Farry was interviewed on 14 September 2021 for the Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect project.
Máirtín Ó Muilleoir
Máirtín Ó Muilleoir reflects on his time in the Northern Ireland executive, implications of the EU referendum, and the 2017 collapse of the executive.