Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government

Epizódy

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  Is Ed Miliband rethinking UK foreign policy?  10.09.2026 34min

  Foreign secretary Ed Miliband has announced UK sanctions on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. So what does this change of position say about UK foreign policy under Andy Burnham - and what are the possible consequences for UK domestic policy? The i's Kitty Donaldson joins the podcast team to assess the PM's big move. On the domestic front it was chancellor John Healey’s turn to make headlines, with a big pre-Budget speech on growth and the economy. So does this mark the dawn of a new economic policy? Plus: Angela Rayner has hit the pause button on the Local Government Reorganisation plans. What has happened and has it all gone wrong? Presented by Alex Thomas. With Giles Wilkes and Akash Paun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Burnham down the House - the new PM's Parliamentary debut 03.09.2026 45min

  The summer recess is over. Parliament is up and running. And the new prime minister gave a mammoth statement in the Commons. There were no new policy announcements, but there was a promise to do things differently. Henry Hill joins the podcast team to make sense of Andy Burnham's first day back in Parliament.Kemi Badenoch has been busy too, with the Conservative leader reshuffling her top team and bringing in, amongst others, a new chancellor and foreign secretary. So what is she trying to do and what difference could it make?Plus: Farewell to Keir Starmer. As the former prime minister is quitting parliament, we give the Inside Briefing verdict.  Hannah White presents With Cath Haddon  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Totally Rewired - Can Burnham really do government differently? 28.08.2026 57min

  Andy Burnham has clocked up a month mark in Number 10. As the long recess draws to a close and Parliament prepares to return, the Guardian's Kiran Stacey joining the podcast to look back on a summer of speeches, policy announcements, guitar-playing and a lot of social media game.  How has Burnham handled the familiar problem of prison capacity and the headache of early release schemes? Do his devolution plans really add up and will Number 10 North make any difference to government? Is this PM's plan for social care finally going to deliver reform? And after a relatively quiet summer recess, what are the challenges heading his way once Parliament returns? Plus: Is the new prime minister really going to play in the big Labour v the Lobby football match at Labour Party conference? Hannah White presents. With Jill Rutter, Cassia Rowland, Matthew Fright and Stuart Hoddinott Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Mid-term prime ministers – Episode 3: Adjusting to the role 20.08.2026 36min

  Every new prime minister arrives in No.10 with a view about what brought down their predecessor as well as a ringside seat to the downfall. So after convincing their colleagues why a change of PM is necessary, what happens when the new PM's belief in his or her skills and talents meet the reality of the biggest job in British politics? How easy it is to learn on the job? What is the right balance between continuity and reinventing the government? And how good is the UK at preparing for mid-term changes of PM? In this final episode of this special IfG podcast series we’re going to look at how incoming mid-term prime ministers adjust to the role, the dilemma of whether to call an early general election, and what lessons former mid-term transitions hold for Andy Burnham’s premiership – or for future mid-term PMs.   Presented by Catherine Haddon Featuring Gus O’Donnell, Mark Sedwill, Helen MacNamara, Simon Case, Stewart Wood, Salma Shah, Lee Cain, Asa Bennett and Rupert Yorke. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Mid-term prime ministers – Episode 2: The Transition 13.08.2026 40min

  Becoming prime minister is a job like no other. The arrival of Andy Burnham is the latest in the UK’s recent history of prime ministers coming to the job mid-way through a parliament. Mid-term prime ministers often take over after crisis, political upheaval or the sheer weight of the job have put paid to their predecessor. And mid-term prime ministers come to the job through very different means – a leadership contest rather than a general election, or sometimes even without that. They have less time to make a difference, a party looking for change, and a policy platform that is already well underway. In this three-part series, the Institute for Government takes you behind the scenes of the mid-term changes of prime minister from John Major to Rishi Sunak. Speaking to the senior officials and advisers who were there to explore how prime ministers, their teams and the civil service prepare, what the transition is like, how they build their teams, how they change policy, and the lessons from these premierships on what it takes to succeed as a mid-term prime minister. Mid-term prime ministers – Episode 2: The Transition Many politicians have ambitions to become prime minister but however long a would-be prime minister, their advisers and civil servants spend preparing for a transition of power, that first day walking through the famous No.10 door is the moment that reality hits and the job instantly begins. In episode two we take a closer look at what happened in the first weeks and months of the mid-term premierships from Major to Sunak. How did they go about reshuffling the ministers they inherited? How did they build their No.10 team? And how did they manage the fundamental question that affects mid-term prime ministers far more than those coming in from a general election: how much do they change their predecessor’s agenda?    Presented by Catherine Haddon Featuring Gus O’Donnell, Mark Sedwill, Helen MacNamara, Simon Case, Stewart Wood, Salma Shah, Lee Cain, Asa Bennett and Rupert Yorke. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Mid-term prime ministers – Episode 1: Preparing for change 06.08.2026 38min

  Our first episode explores the recent history of mid-term changes of prime minister from John Major to Rishi Sunak. Speaking to senior officials and advisers involved, we go behind the scenes of the preparation and leadership contests, the context in which they took over, and find out what kind of experience makes a difference when inheriting the top job in UK politics. Featuring Gus O’Donnell, Mark Sedwill, Helen MacNamara, Simon Case, Stewart Wood, Salma Shah, Lee Cain, Asa Bennett and Rupert Yorke. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Andy Burnham: How is the new prime minister changing the direction of government? 30.07.2026 48min

  One week on from becoming prime minister, Andy Burnham has now appointed his cabinet, reshuffled ministers, launched a series of machinery of government changes, and set out a range of immediate policy decisions. So what have these early choices revealed about the way Burnham wants to govern? How will his restructured No10 make a difference to the way Burnham leads? What does his reshuffled cabinet reveal about the PM's priorities? And how will the new prime minister set about delivering a "new political model and a new economic model" for the UK? An expert IfG panel assessed Burnham's early decisions, his key appointments, and the way he is approaching the job of prime minister. Hannah White hosts. With Stuart Hoddinott, Tom Pope and Jill Rutter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  He wants to be adored – Burnham’s people-pleasing policy debut 24.07.2026 43min

  Andy Burnham finally takes over No.10 with promises to focus on the cost of living and to make politics better. Can he succeed? Is he the ruthless leader portended by his clearout of Starmerites, or someone more conciliatory? And how will unexpected new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and surprise Chancellor John Healey work out alongside Shabana Mahmood, who’s staying at the Home Office? Plus, Burnham takes the IfG’s advice by finally creating a new Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet. How will that work out?  IfG associate director Hannah Keenan and our devolution expert Akash Paun join special guest Joshi Herrmann of independent news site the Manchester Mill join Alex Thomas to look at Burnham: Week One.  Presented by Alex Thomas. Produced by Jade Bailey for Podmasters.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Full Time for Starmer: Can Burnham Find a Way to Win? 17.07.2026 48min

  Keir Starmer has bowed out of his final PMQs. Andy Burnham is about to become Britain's next prime minister. But after two turbulent years in Downing Street, what went wrong for Starmer? Can Burnham avoid the same mistakes? And will a change of leader be enough to turn Labour's fortunes around? Keir Starmer's former director of communications, Steph Driver, joins the podcast to reflect on the outgoing prime minister's biggest successes and failures - and what Burnham must do differently from day one. Plus: can the next government finally fix England's broken SEND system? We explore the findings of the Institute's latest report and the reforms needed to make it work. Hannah White hosts. With Jill Rutter and Amber Dellar. Produced by Milo Hynes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Burnham, Binface and Starmer's final flight  09.07.2026 39min

  Reform UK may have dominated the headlines this week, but Westminster's attention is already turning to a far bigger political moment: the arrival of Britain's next prime minister. Mirror political editor Lizzy Buchan joins the podcast team to explore who Andy Burnham might appoint to his cabinet, the priorities that will define his first weeks in office, and whether he can succeed where Keir Starmer could not. As the Prime Minister attends his final NATO summit, we ask what mark he is trying to leave on foreign affairs and how much of Burnham's time will be consumed by international crises? Plus, the Institute's latest report sets out seven lessons for delivering digital transformation in public services. Its author joins the podcast to explain what governments too often get wrong and how they can do better. Presented by Alex Thomas. With Tim Durrant, Stuart Hoddinot and Cassia Rowland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Northern Soul: Burnham's Manchester No10 plan  02.07.2026 44min

  The King of the North says he will remain - for some of the time - in his kingdom, but how will Andy Burnham's vision for a devolution circuit breaker - powered by a new Number 10 in Manchester - really work? Former de facto deputy prime minister David Lidington joins the podcast to discuss the would-be PM's big speech. How would No.10 North work alongside the original? Who calls the shots? Who is in charge? And what does it mean for the balance of power across the centre of government? Plus: Keir Starmer’s parting gift/parting shot. What is in the Defence Investment Plan and how much will it cost? Alex Thomas presents. With Hannah Keenan and Tom Pope. Produced by Milo Hynes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Brexit at 10: A decade of drama, deals and disruption 29.06.2026 53min

  A decade after the UK voted to leave the EU, the IfG's Jill Rutter and UKICE's Anand Menon are joined by the BBC's Adam Fleming - the former Brussels correspondent and Brexitcast presenter who followed every twist and turn of the UK's EU drama - to share their front row experiences of some of the most significant events in recent British and European political history.  From the night of the referendum to the painful Brexit deal negotiations, the endless parliamentary votes and the rapid turnover of prime ministers, Jill, Anand and Adam get together for this special joint IfG/UKICE Brexflections episode to back on ten years of key Brexit moments and explore what they told us about Britain and the world. Jill Rutter is an IfG and UKICE senior fellow. Anand Menon is the Director of UKICE. Adam Fleming is the Presenter of BBC's daily Newscast on BBC Sounds. Produced by Milo Hynes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  What does Andy Burnham really stand for? 24.06.2026 42min

  Keir Starmer has resigned. Andy Burnham is preparing for power. But what will a mid-parliament change of prime minister mean for the government? How should an incoming prime minister prepare for the biggest job in government? What can an outgoing leader do to ensure a smooth transition? And after seven prime ministers in a decade, could another change at the top finally bring greater stability to British politics—or is volatility now the new normal? The Economist's Hugo Gye joins the podcast to discuss what happens when power changes hands mid-parliament, and what Burnham's arrival could mean for the government, the Labour Party and the country. Presented by Hannah White. With Cath Haddon and Alex Thomas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Burnham v Starmer: The King of the North heads South 19.06.2026 44min

  As Andy Burnham returns to Parliament after winning the Makerfield by election, the Guardian's Rafael Behr joins the podcast team to discuss a huge week for British politics. How should the prime minister - who insists he would compete in any leadership contest - respond? What does this period of volatility mean for how government works? And what would a prime minister Andy Burnham mean for the way Britain is governed?  Hannah White presents. With Giles Wilkes and Cath Haddon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  The way you Makerfield 12.06.2026 32min

  There is just a week to go until the people of Makerfield vote in what could turn out to be the most important by election in decades. More in Common's Luke Tryl joins the podcast from Makerfield to discuss the mood on the ground – and how this peculiar by-election, with both local and national consequences, is shaping how voters are thinking. Burnham is, presumably, both campaigning to win the seat and preparing for government if he makes it to Westminster. So how should he, Keir Starmer and others be thinking about what a transition of power would mean for government? Plus: Kemi Badenoch's headline-making speech at the IfG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Protests, politics and the killing of Henry Nowak 04.06.2026 42min

  With the murder of 18 year old Henry Nowak sending shockwaves through Westminster and beyond, IfG senior fellow - and former BBC home affairs correspondent - Danny Shaw joins the podcast team to discuss a fraught week for the police and for politics. What questions do the police need to answer? What could an inquiry explore - and what might need to change? And how could the events of this week shape British politics in the months ahead? Plus: The footage of the riots in Southampton has knocked the Mandelson files off the front pages, but the ongoing saga has left some questions for government - not least how its key figures communicate with each other. WhatsApp is Westminster’s preferred way of talking - but is this good for scrutiny, for making decisions, and for transparency? Hannah White presents. With Alex Thomas and Alice Lilly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  The Blair Necessities  28.05.2026 52min

  With a promise to abolish the position of Cabinet Secretary and scrap the Cabinet Office, Reform UK’s Danny Kruger has launched his party’s plans for reforming the civil service.  IfG senior fellow Henry Hill joins the podcast team to explore the Kruger blueprint for government.  Tony Blair has entered the Labour leadership race! Well, sort of. The former PM's 5000 word essay sets out his vision for government. But is it a sensible plan for the current - or future - prime minister to follow? Plus: Everyone is talking about Brexit again. Weeks away from the 10th anniversary of the referendum, we look at where things are with the reset and where they might go. Hannah White presents. With Alex Thomas and Jill Rutter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  May 2026 elections: what are the implications for local government reorganisation? 22.05.2026 50min

  How has England’s political landscape changed after the May 2026 elections? How will new local leaders go about their new roles? And what does this mean for the delivery of the government’s local government reorganisation (LGR) agenda?   In this special episode of Inside Briefing, Matthew Fright, the Institute for Government’s LGR anorak, has been gathering views across three areas - Surrey, Essex and Kent – at the forefront of LGR delivery to see how the government’s aims to remove two-tier local government will be impacted by May’s elections.  PLUS: An expert panel to unpick the election results and consider the demanding in-tray facing new local leaders as they get up to speed on this once in a generation transformation of local areas.    Featuring:   Ed Hammond, Director of Public Sector Audit at Grant Thornton UK  Heather Jameson, Editor of MJ  Vicky Elliot, Director of the IfG Academy  Akash Paun, Programme Director for Devolution at IfG  Plus interviews with:   Cllr Tim Oliver OBE, Leader of Surrey County Council  Mari Roberts-Wood, Chief Executive of Reigate and Banstead District Council  Cllr Stephen Robinson, Leader of Chelmsford District Council  Cllr Kevin Bentley, former leader of Essex County Council   Cllr Linden Kemkaran, Leader of Kent County Council  Cllr Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council  This podcast was produced with the kind support of Grant Thornton UK.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Burnham Issues 21.05.2026 40min

  With Andy Burnham inching closer to a return to Westminster, Sam White, Keir Starmer's former chief-of-staff, joins the podcast team to explore what happens next - and what the prime minister can do while this drama plays out around him. If Burnham makes it to Number 10, then he will follow a path once trodden by Boris Johnson  in being a mayor turned prime minister. So what skills does the mayoralty provide - and how might they be transferable to Downing Street? Plus: What is in Rachel Reeves's economic support package and will it meet the scale of the Iran crisis?  Catherine Haddon presents.With Hannah Keenan and Tom Pope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Starmer, Streeting and the fight for No10 13.05.2026 39min

  With Keir Starmer's premiership on the rocks, Claire Ainsley - a former adviser to Starmer in opposition - joins the podcast team to make sense of an explosive week in Westminster.  Can the PM reassert his authority? How could a leadership contest play out? And what have the bust-ups of the last few days revealed about the failings of Starmer’s premiership - and what can he, or someone else, learn from these mistakes? Plus: On a day of pomp and pageantry, what stood out in the King’s Speech - and how much of it will actually make it onto the statute book? Hannah White presents. With Cath Haddon and Tim Durrant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices