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And finally, what did Purnell think was important in civil servants? No10 officials might want to take a look here:

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Later he told us about how spads in No10 and departments can work well together - it will be interesting to see how he'll get spads across government working together, and whether his No10 spads will be close to their deparmental counterparts (and their ministers) as he describes here

He also talked about the difficulty of managing the prime minister's diary - will he encourage the No10 team he runs to take a similar approach?

Purnell also talked about the importance of having a clear sense of direction early on - and the dangers of making things up as you go along...

Andy Burnham has announced that his former ministerial colleague James Purnell will be his chief of staff James spoke last year at an @instituteforgovernment.org.uk event - we've had a look to see how he might approach the CoS role. First up though, what has changed since he was last in govt:

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Robert Buckland, who held various ministerial roles during the Brexit period, reflected on how the legal and political ramifications of the referendum vote became intertwined Personally, I hope he's right that we don't see something quite like that again!

"When I look back at those days [Brexit debates], I think they were a combination of extraordinary events that we’re unlikely to see again. What was legal had become intensely political, and the two were very difficult to extricate." Robert Buckland, Solicitor general (2014-19)

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One of those was of course a no deal exit, which (as work and pensions secretary) Amber Rudd worried would lead to mass unemployment (and the preparation for which was very useful when many people signed up for Universal Credit during the pandemic)

"My no-deal preparations were that there was going to be mass unemployment. I was obviously a marked woman for being too anti-Brexit. But I could see mass unemployment around the corner if we left without a deal." Amber Rudd, Secretary of state for work and pensions (2018-19)

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Defra minister George Eustice talked about the huge range of preparation and new policies Brexit required, including for all the different potential scenarios

"The crucial thing that changed after was that there was huge preparation for a post-EU world. So, developing the Agriculture Bill, the Fisheries Bill, working out what a transition would look like, all of the no-deal planning that I had a role in" George Eustice, Minister for agriculture, fisheries and food (2015-19)

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In another part of the UK, Nicola Sturgeon reflected on how the Brexit result affected devolution and the relationship between the different governments

“I think the [Scottish] independence referendum, my party’s continued success over many years and fears of another independence referendum and what that might mean, have led to a sense of Westminster trying to put devolution back in its box. Brexit has definitely provided some of the tools to do that in the name of something else.” Nicola Sturgeon first minister of Scotland (2014–23)

One of her successors as Northern Ireland secretary, Brandon Lewis, talked about the difficult choices he faced given the various commitments made about the NI-Ireland border

"As Northern Ireland secretary, if you’re going to break international law whichever way – you’re either going to break the international law of the Good Friday Agreement, or of the Withdrawal Agreement that’s not actually complete – that’s a no brainer. I don’t want to break international law at all, but if I’ve got no choice, I’m not breaking the Good Friday Agreement." Brandon Lewis, Secretary of state for Northern Ireland (2020-22)

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Theresa Villiers, who was NI secretary before the referendum and environment secretary afterwards - two of the policy areas most affected by Brexit - said that many of her colleagues were trying to stop Brexit

"I feel that at the heart of the problem was a significant number of MPs trying to stop us from leaving. That's what led to the continual stalemate" Theresa Villiers, Secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs (2019-20)

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Steve Baker, who worked in David Davis's department, said that he and his colleagues were sidelined during the negotiations

[on DExEU ministers] "None of us were responsible for the negotiation and our direct instructions were ignored" Steve Baker, Parliamentary under-secretary of state for the Department for Exiting the EU (2017-18)

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David Davis, the first Brexit secretary, criticised Theresa May's approach as she hadn't campaigned for Leave - and suggests the civil service didn't get what Brexit was about (something the IfG does not agree with, just fyi)

"Theresa [May]'s a very good person and in different circumstances she would've been a very good prime minister… But the problem was she was a Remainer trying to carry out a Brexit thing, and there's a sort of intuitive understanding that you just can't get by reading a book." David Davis, Secretary of state for exiting the European Union (2016-18)

"Whitehall did a really crap job of negotiation. I mean, really crap. I think it’s partly because they sympathised with the European view and assumed that was reciprocated." David Davis, Secretary of state for exiting the European Union (2016-18)

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Mark Garnier, a trade minister who campaigned for Remain, talked about the duty he felt to work to deliver the result

"We lost – and let’s not beat about the bush, we put our case forward, we talked about all the disasters, people looked at it and 52% of them said, “Actually, we’ll live with that and we’ll come out of it” – you’ve got to get on and deliver it." Mark Garnier, Parliamentary under secretary of state in the Department for International Trade (2016-18)

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Andrea Leadsom told us how surprised she was before the referendum that then PM, David Cameron, let ministers campaign for both sides of the argument:

"I was amazed that collective responsibility was lifted. It had never happened before, and I was really impressed with David Cameron… he called all of the junior ministers in, round the cabinet table and he said to all of us 'we're going to do this referendum and you will have to do what you believe is right for your country.'" Andrea Leadsom, Secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs (2016-17)

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

On the 10th anniversary of the referendum, @meganbryer.bsky.social and I have looked into the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect archive to see what ministers involved in getting Brexit done (to coin a phrase) thought about it all... www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...

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Great to be up in Edinburgh at Prosper Forum 26 - looking forward to hearing what the FM has to say about his government’s objectives

Scottish FM John Swinney speaking at a conference

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

And finally, like everyone else in Westminster, we're keeping an eye on the Makerfield by-election. Read this handy infographic for what the different outcomes could mean for a Labour leadership challenge: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/la...

An IfG infographic with different scenarios for the Labour leadership following the Makerfield by-election later this month

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

The PM (well, the King, as if he wasn't busy enough today) has appointed new ministers to fill the gaps created by yesterday's resignations. I wonder whether Natalie Fleet negotiated any commitments out of the PM, given how damning Jess Phillips' letter was on lack of action from No10...

A gov.uk update:

The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:

Nesil Caliskan MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Natalie Fleet MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office
Catherine Atkinson MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice
Preet Kaur Gill MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care
Gen Kitchen MP as Comptroller of HM Household (Government Whip)
Deirdre Costigan MP as Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
Shaun Davies MP as Assistant Whip, House of Commons
Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Jess Phillips MP, Alex Davies-Jones MP and Dr Zubir Ahmed MP have left the Government.

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Great work from @meganbryer.bsky.social updating our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk ministerial resignation chart with Miatta Fahnbulleh's decision You can see our full list of resignations since 1979 here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

A chart showing how many ministers have resigned under different prime ministers; Starmer has seen the most ministers resign by this point in his premiership

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

As we wait for the PM‘s speech, and to see how Catherine West (and the cabinet?) respond, here’s your handy Labour leadership contests revision guide from @meganbryer.bsky.social and @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/la...

A graphic showing the different stages of a Labour leadership contest

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And Danny Alexander shared his advice for future ministers

Gillian Keegan told us about her proudest moments in office:

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That's not the only interesting thing Steve had to say about his time as a minister and as an MP - reflecting on the Brexit years, he told us:

A quote from Steve Baker: I've held the future of this country in my hands more times than I can remember. I have decided on my own authority which way votes in the House of Commons would go. I've at times put over 70 MPs through the rebel lobby by sending one WhatsApp message.

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

This letter from the PM goes to some of the themes from our recent @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect interviews, including this point from Steve Baker:

A quote from former minister Steve Baker: It is the job of officials, however inconvenient, to warn ministers of what the consequences might be of their chosen course of action.

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The @instituteforgovernment.org.uk research internship programme is now open for applications www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car... And if you're interested in applying, see what advice our current interns have:

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

The notes from the government say *if* they were to use the new limits at their highest level, they’d create one new SoS post - based on diff govts’ records to date, I can’t see them doing anything other than maxing out the limit. Patronage is a powerful thing

If all additional salaries were to be allocated to the most senior rank available, this would
result in one additional salary at Secretary of State rank, three additional salaries at Minister
of State rank, and seven additional salaries at Parliamentary Secretary rank.

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

This goes to something @jillongovt.bsky.social taught me soon after I joined IfG - no matter how long something has been discussed and played around with in government, the only test is how it is received in the real world.

Tapp responded: “I find the framing of this absolutely absurd – it is nonsense. There have been years in planning from the officials and ministers. This has been in the public domain for some years.

Second sentence highlighted

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Interesting tidbit from the FT's Inside Politics newsletter- goes to a point I wrote about for the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on the things the next chief(s) of staff need to be thinking about. Alakeson and Cuthbertson making their mark already? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir...

Keeping the peace | Starmer has sent a letter to MPs that sets out how he wants to include them more in policymaking in the future and admits that he needs to change the “culture” of his administration, according to the i paper. As part of the shake-up, he promised to engage more substantially with his backbenchers to “shape the agenda” and said No 10 would work more closely with departmental, regional and national groups of the Parliamentary Labour Party as well as its equalities groups.

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Interested in working in think tanks? Join @instituteforgovernment.org.uk and a group of other think tanks for an event about what working in the sector is like: www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/worki...

A graphic showing information about the event - also available at: https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/working-in-the-think-tank-sector-2026/

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

our event with Darren Jones, Chief Sec to the PM, is getting underway now - watch along on our website: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/modern...

Hannah White from IfG introducing Darren Jones’s speech

Darren Jones giving a speech on government reform

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

For the final discussion in the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk’s Government 2026 conference, shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride, is giving a speech - watch on our website here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

A man giving a speech in room full of people

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

New minister appointed - to a role he's kind of already doing: Josh Simons, currently at CO, going to DSIT. The FT reported that he'd be taking on digital ID full time- that programme moved from DSIT to CO, so not clear if that is indeed what he is doing (or if govt is just as confused as me...)

The King has been pleased to approve the following appointment:

Josh Simons MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. He will remain Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office.

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Great to be at the launch of the anti-corruption strategy - looking forward to hearing what this panel has to say about whether it will make a difference…

Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

I would say this, but the IfG's budget live blog is already great, even before we get to the main event - where else do you get this kind of content?

An IfG live blog post from Jill Rutter, titled "Keep the chancellor away from the Treasury"

What will Rachel Reeves and her officials be doing in the last few hours before the budget?

In earlier eras, chancellors could change their minds down to the wire (though the Red Book would be printed over the weekend) and rewrite their speech.

That could mean laborious retypes and recollations.

That led to an instruction in the Treasury’s own budget day manual to “Keep the chancellor away from the Treasury” after the budget had been presented to the cabinet in the morning.

Chancellors would be dispatched to St James’s Park to be photographed feeding the ducks, while Treasury officials frantically compiled printed copies of the budget speech.

No indication yet that this is the plan for this morning!

But if you see Rachel Reeves heading into the park, you know that another bit of Treasury orthodoxy still rules.

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Kicking off here @instituteforgovernment.org.uk - how have Labour managed public services. Sure to be a fascinating discussion - watch online here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...

A group of people on a panel listening to a man speaking

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

You want me to upload the data where?

An update from gov.uk called "Uploading data to the National Fraud Initiative"

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Interestingly, this assessment comes from officials in local government - not necessarily from the politicians... I think there's a lesson here for national government - particularly relevant after one of the largest reshuffles ever, which saw around 50% of ministers in a new job

Senior officials in one of these local authorities attributed their strong performance to a few factors. First, they said that stable political leadership over many decades meant that members were able to take a longer-term view during austerity, meaning they were less inclined to make knee-jerk, short-term cuts to balance budgets in-year. Second, recent localised economic growth – driven by rising

Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

The new Ethics and Integrity Commission has launched today, with a shiny new website (outside the gov. uk brand!) We spoke to its chair, Doug Chalmers, earlier in the year about the new body and its work... eic.independent-commission.uk

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

...do it for real, these exercises allow them and their colleagues across government to practise how they would respond to particular challenges. As Amber Rudd told us about her time as home secretary, while these exercises can feel like a drain on time, "you're very grateful that you've done it"

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

What day is it? That's right, it's Day 2 ("containment") of Exercise Pegasus, the "largest ever simulation of a pandemic in UK history" - right now, teams in the NHS, govt depts and others are testing their approach to dealing with a possible future pandemic... hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025...

A written statement from Ashley Dalton MP, health minister:

Exercise Pegasus will be the largest ever simulation of a pandemic in UK history and will involve participation from every Department, the devolved Governments and representation from arm’s length bodies and local resilience fora.

The exercise is due to take place from September to November 2025, led by the Department of Health and Social Care and delivered with the UK Health Security Agency. Core exercise days have been confirmed for 18 September, 9 October and 30 October, simulating the first phases of a pandemic: emergence, containment, and mitigation. A fourth phase—recovery—is also planned for 2026. The UK Government have committed to communicating the findings and lessons of the exercise as recommended by the covid-19 inquiry and a post-exercise report will be delivered in due course.

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And Beatrice Butsana-Sita, CEO of the British Red Cross, talks about the work of the BRC in the UK (responding to an emergency every four hours!!) and around the world, including in Gaza, Myanmar and Ukraine

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And Emma Hardy talks about the importance of public services working together to deal with floods - it cuts across multiple departments and agencies, so govt created the flooding taskforce to bring everyone together to make better policy

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Dan Jarvis tells us about the importance of preparing for crises-this work doesn’t always attract the most attention, but when the world is acutely dangerous and the country faces challenging threats, it matters. He also talks about his role as minister for resilience across Cabinet and Home Offices