Incisive commentary from the IfG’s expert team on issues facing government and key ministerial decisions.
From analysis of key political events such as budgets and party conferences to snap responses to unexpected developments such as government reshuffles, our writers set out their views and analyse what government gets right, what it gets wrong, and what it can do better.
The Fixed-term Parliaments Act has confused what it means for governments to command confidence
Legislation designed to provide stability is now contributing to confusion about how the Commons determines when it has confidence in a government.
Government ministers still don’t get enough support when starting out in difficult jobs
New ministers receive little real support when starting their difficult jobs.
The UK government would be foolish not to appoint an EU commissioner if Brexit is delayed
Failing to nominate an EU commissioner would mean surrendering a useful source of influence and intelligence.
The number of Brexit options in play are going up
It is now 39 months since the referendum result, but it is becoming even less clear how the Brexit story ends.
Boris Johnson should not pick a fight with the courts to burnish his Brexit credentials
The government should not be flirting with the idea of an ugly fight with the courts to get around legislation to stop a no-deal Brexit.
No-deal brexit preparations and a general election campaign do not mix
An early general election would cause massive problems for no-deal preparations.
Primetime Brexit drama doesn’t tell the whole story for Parliament’s TV audiences
The fireworks on display in the House of Commons risk giving a distorted impression of parliamentary effectiveness.
The government’s spending round leaves many questions unanswered
It is encouraging to see the Treasury still showing some focus on how best to spend public money.
The Brexit battle is fundamentally changing the constitution
The incredible strain which Brexit has placed on the constitution is causing lasting damage.
Making prisons safer requires more than a one-off cash boost
Rory Stewart’s 10 Prisons Project was successful – but replicating it across the prison estate will require additional spending.