Elections were held across England on 1 May, with votes cast for four regional mayors, in 24 of England’s 317 councils and to decide the new MP for Runcorn and Helsby. So who are England’s newly-elected mayors and what might they do with the power they wield? What impact will the elections have on the Labour government's devolution agenda? And what happens next with its plans to reorganise local government across England?  

To explore these questions and more, the IfG was delighted to bring together an expert panel featuring:

Matthew Fright, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
Stuart Hoddinott, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
Sarah Routley, Research Assistant at the Institute for Government
The webinar was chaired by Akash Paun, Devolution Programme Director at the Institute for Government.  

What do the 2025 mayoral and local election results mean for Keir Starmer’s government?

In contrast to the halting approach to reform from the current UK government, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have moved fast to slash staff and programmes. That has led some of those frustrated with the slow pace of government reform in the UK and elsewhere to see DOGE as a model for radical reformers. 

But what are the actual benefits – and costs – of the Trump administration approach? Is there anything to be learnt from DOGE, or is the whole approach misconceived? And what is the better, feasible model for reformers who want to deliver change at rapid pace while avoiding the DOGE template?  

To explore these questions and more, the IfG was pleased to bring together an expert panel featuring:

Munira Mirza, former Director of the No.10 Policy Unit
Don Moynihan, Professor of Public Policy, Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan
Jeni Tennison, founder and Executive Director of Connected by Data
Alex Thomas, Civil Service Programme Director at the Institute for Government
The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.

The Trump challenge: What is a better way to reform government than copying Elon Musk and DOGE?

This event marked official launch of the second edition of Exploring Parliament, a new book which brings together academic insights with real-world perspectives to bring parliament to life for readers. The book’s 73 authors – leading academic experts and parliamentary practitioners – offer an unrivalled insider’s guide to the UK parliament, providing an accessible yet in-depth exploration of how parliament works, its key functions, and the realities of law-making and scrutiny in the UK. 

Who are the key players in parliament? How is parliament organised and run? How is the government held to account? How are laws made? And what challenges does parliament face in the future? To explore these questions and more, we were joined by the editors of Exploring Parliament – who made opening remarks, reflecting on the book’s unique approach, and a panel of the book’s authors who discussed their chapters and insights.

This was followed by a Q&A session. Panellists included:

Professor Nicholas Allen, Professor of Politics at Royal Holloway, University of London
Dr Sean Haughey, Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool
Chloe Mawson, Clerk Assistant at the House of Lords
Dr Rebecca McKee, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
Margaret McKinnon, Director Member and Members’ Staff Services Team at the House of Commons
Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit at University College London (UCL)

The event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government. 

Introductory remarks were also delivered by the editors Professor Cristina Leston Bandeira, Dr Louise Thompson and Dr Alexandra Meakin.

We would like to thank the Study of Parliament Group for kindly supporting this event.

Book launch: ‘Exploring Parliament’

Labour’s 2024 manifesto set out a number of big changes aimed at strengthening democratic participation, such as improving voter registration, addressing inconsistencies in voter ID rules and extending the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds. 

Twenty-five years after the introduction of the UK’s political finance regime, and a billion pounds of donations later, the manifesto also committed to “strengthening the rules around donations to political parties” – something that has become more pressing as high-profile actors flirt with introducing significant sums of money into the UK’s party funding system.

So what difference would these proposed changes make to the UK electoral system? Can they reignite voter confidence and engagement in the democratic process? What are the lessons learnt from the 2024 general election about turnout, the voter ID requirement, and candidate abuse and intimidation? And what should the government prioritise to ensure the electoral system is ready for the next general election in 2029 and able to address growing threats?

To reflect on last summer’s election and to discuss how the government’s plans will affect the way elections work, we were joined by an expert panel:

Lewis Baston, Political journalist and author
Matteo Bergamini, Founder and CEO of Shout Out UK
Professor Jane Green, Co-Director of the British Election Study
John Pullinger, Chair of the Electoral Commission

The event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

How does the electoral system need to change before 2029?

The former deputy prime minister set out what this and future governments can learn from the 2010–15 coalition government.

To mark the 15th anniversary of the creation of the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition in 2010, the IfG was pleased to welcome the Rt Hon Sir Nick Clegg to reflect on the 2010-15 government and the lessons for today’s politics.

Following his speech, Sir Nick was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government, and took part in an audience Q&A.

In conversation with Nick Clegg

As part of its devolution agenda, the government is deepening and extending the mayoral model across England. Fourteen regional mayors are now in office, holding powers over transport, skills, housing and planning, economic growth and more. The government eventually wants every region of England to be led by a mayor.

But what are the characteristics of effective mayoral leadership? How should existing and new mayors use their powers and their platform to bring benefits to their regions? And what lessons can England’s mayors learn from international experience?

We held a discussion of these themes, informed by insights from the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University and its director, Professor Jorrit de Jong, who was in conversation with Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government, and Akash Paun, Programme Director for Devolution.

Effective urban leadership: What are the international lessons for England’s mayors?

After a decade of tight funding settlements and the Covid-19 pandemic, Wes Streeting is the latest health secretary trying to improve NHS productivity. But what can the government do to ensure the NHS spends its budget – due to be more than £200bn in 2025/26 – more effectively?

This event, held in partnership with the Health Foundation, explored what the NHS can do to improve productivity – which is vital to improve the quality of services for patients, ensure the NHS is financially sustainable and provide value for money for taxpayers.  

What improvements in productivity and health outcomes can technology really deliver? What lessons are there from previous governments’ attempts to make efficiency savings? What options does Streeting really have to drive through reforms? What effect – if any – will the abolition of NHS England and cuts to integrated care boards’ budgets have on driving productivity to improve performance? 

To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel including:

Helen Buckingham, Chair of Trustees at National Voices
Anita Charlesworth, Senior Economic Advisor at the Health Foundation
Caroline Clarke, Regional Director of the NHS in London
Rachel Sylvester, Political Editor at the Observer
The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This event was held in partnership with The Health Foundation.

What can the government do to improve how the NHS spends money?

Britain has been through a difficult period since the global financial crisis, leading many to conclude the country is doomed to inevitable decline. But Jeremy Hunt, who was at the top of government as both Foreign Secretary and Chancellor, disagrees. In his new book, Can We Be Great Again?, he sets out to rebut those who think Britain is no longer capable of shaping the world we live in.

With the election of president Trump, a world that was already becoming more dangerous has also become more unpredictable. But when it comes to the big challenges facing the world – whether on European security, the future of democracy, migration, trade and climate – the UK remains one of the most influential countries and should, Hunt says, use that influence wisely. Hunt does not shy away from the UK’s weaknesses but argues that they should be considered in perspective and without underestimating this country’s many strengths.

To discuss his new book and the questions it raises, Jeremy Hunt was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

In conversation with Jeremy Hunt MP: Britain's place in the world

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What do the 2025 mayoral and local election results mean for Keir Starmer’s government?

Institute for Government

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