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 parties should think carefully before promising new government departments
Setting up a new government can quickly create more problems than it solves.
The row over the Intelligence and Security Committee may require Parliament to review the committee’s role
The delayed publication of the ISC’s report underlines the need for a fundamental rethink of how Parliament scrutinises intelligence.
British Steel's collapse highlights the complexities of state intervention
The government's response to the troubles of British Steel is a reminder of how difficult it is to get state intervention right.
Labour’s timetable for a second Brexit referendum would be hard to meet
Labour’s commitment to renegotiate a Brexit deal and then hold a referendum within six months leaves no room for error.
The UK’s refusal to appoint a commissioner is a risk for the EU
The UK’s failure to appoint a British commissioner could delay the start of the new European Commission until 1 February.
Both parties' new fiscal rules don’t address the challenges facing public services
The fiscal splurges of the election campaign trail fail to address the clear pressures in public services.
Election manifestos should be bold about tax reform
Politicians should use this general election to set out proposals for much-needed changes to the tax system.
The government doesn’t need to scrap EU procurement rules to spend more with small businesses
The government is right to look at how to increase procurement spending with small companies and local firms but wrong to blame EU rules.
Costings of opposition policies are legitimate – but not during an election campaign
The decision by the Cabinet Secretary to refuse the publication of Treasury costings of opposition policies was inevitably controversial.
John Bercow’s legacy will continue to shape the House of Commons
Changes to the culture of the Commons will be harder to reverse than some other aspects of John Bercow's approach.