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 Heathrow judgment is not “undemocratic judicial activism”
Any cries of judicial overreach are wide of the mark
Protecting special advisers is good for government
SpAds could do their jobs better if they were provided with clearer employment protection and professional support of their own
Ministers and senior civil servants should respect each other – and the rule of law
Reports that the Home Office is “at war” and that the home secretary is trying to remove her permanent secretary are damaging for the government
The PM’s rhetoric risks the Northern Ireland protocol not being operational in time
Boris Johnson’s denial that there will be checks in the Irish Sea harms preparations in the region
The reshuffle has left No.10 supreme – and that could lead to new battles
A combination of an uncompromising approach and ministerial inexperience may create problems on Northern Ireland, Brexit and the courts
The attorney general should not always be a ‘team player’
The cabinet should not expect the next attorney general to 'massage' legal advice to make it more palatable
The role of the PM is more important than Alok Sharma’s when it comes to COP26
The decision to give the job of preparing for the global climate summit to a minister also running a major department reduces the chances of success
The reshuffle demonstrates the PM’s power – but does not mean the end of the Treasury
While Sajid Javid’s departure will make things easier for No.10 in the short term, his former department cannot be side-lined for long
New ministers should be given time to understand their roles
Newly appointed ministers are facing a busy few days, but both they and government will benefit if they are given time to understand their roles
Fiscal rules must not follow the chancellor out the door
The prime minister should not use the chancellor’s resignation to abandon the government’s fiscal rules