Less than a year out from a general election, the significance of opinion polls in shaping public perception and political strategy is increasingly prominent. Political pundits, parties, journalists and members of the public look to opinion polls to give them a picture of what people are thinking about parties and politicians, their priorities and concerns, and how they might vote. Crucially, public opinion will inform political parties’ election strategies and the public’s voting decisions. 

But with multiple companies publishing a range of different polls, it can be a confusing landscape. To interpret polling results, understanding the methodologies behind opinion polls, including sampling, margin of error and the all-important question framing, is more important than ever. And for those trying to understand party strategies, it is essential to understand the role polling plays. 

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

Kelly Beaver MBE, Chief Executive of Ipsos in the UK and Ireland
Christabel Cooper, Director of Research at Labour Together
Rob Ford, Senior Fellow at UK in a Changing Europe
Tom Lubbock, Founding Partner of JL Partners

The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.

We would like to thank UKICE for kindly supporting this event.

General election: What role does polling play in shaping political strategy?

From little black books to pet tarantulas, MPs being dragged out of ambulances to vote and tantalising promises of ministerial office, the alleged ‘dark arts’ of the government Whips’ Office have a fearsome reputation. But in reality a government whip is an important conduit between backbenchers and No.10, while also playing an increasingly large role in supporting the wellbeing of MPs. After the election, whips will have to help a large intake of new MPs navigate the Commons – and keep an eye out for any potential ministerial talent.

Following the IfG’s recent interviews with former government whips, this event considered how the role has evolved over recent decades. What makes an effective whip? Are whipping practices fit for the 2020s? And how should the role of a government whip change in the future?

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

Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP, former Liberal Democrat Chief Whip
Rt Hon Anne Milton, former Deputy Chief Whip
Dr Emma Peplow, Head of Oral History at the History of Parliament Trust
Chris White, Co-Head, Advocacy at SEC Newgate and former special adviser

The event was chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Beyond the dark arts: what next for the Whips’ Office?

This week we chatted about Grocery trends, Housing, a push to stop Smoking and Vaping across the Country, The passing of Legendary Broadcaster, Bob Cole... The ECMA'S and more.

Best Of April 29th-May5th, 2024

The Institute for Government welcomed Lucy Powell MP, the Shadow Leader of the Commons, to give a keynote speech on how a Labour government would approach parliament, the legislative process, and the role of MPs. 

With Westminster hit by a series of scandals in recent years, what can be done to restore parliament's image? How can the legislative process be improved? And how would Labour, if elected, approach the way that MPs work in parliament?

Following her speech, Lucy Powell was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government. She then took part in an audience Q&A.

Keynote speech: Lucy Powell MP, Shadow Leader of the Commons

Live report during UK General Election programme on Essex Radio from the only seat in Essex to change political colour.
A tribute to a late Essex MP here: https://soundcloud.com/anton-jarvis-206182017/sir-david-amess-tribute-bbc-essex

1992 UK Election Thurrock Count (Essex Radio)

Live report from Shoeburyness Conservative Club on 22.11.1990.
Reporting live from 1992 Thurrock election count here: Anton-jarvis-206182017 – 1992-uk-election-thurrock-seat

Margaret Thatcher Resignation: reaction from Shoeburyness Conservative Club (Essex Radio) 1992

BBC ESSEX NEWS REPORT July 1995:
Essex MPs respond to John Major's vote to be re-elected Conservative Party Leader.
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Reaction to Margaret Thatcher resignation (1992) here: https://soundcloud.com/anton-jarvis-206182017/thatcher-resignation-from-shoeburyness-conservative-club-essex-radio

John Major UK PM Leadership Vote (BBC Essex) July 1995

‘Very few people in parliament can match Nadhim’s childhood experience, his understanding of international affairs, his skills as a businessman and his passion for politics’ Rory Stewart

'From Baghdad to number 11 Downing Street: in any other country it would be fiction. You have to read it to believe it’ Jeffrey Archer 

 Born and raised in Baghdad, Nadhim Zahawi arrived in the UK aged 12, having been forced to flee Iraq with his family, under threat from Saddam Hussein’s regime.

In this candid and thoughtful memoir, Nadhim vividly recalls his upbringing in the Middle East, his family’s adjustment to their new life in Britain and his rise to Second Lord of the Treasury, one of the highest offices in his adoptive homeland.

From his family home being repossessed in his teens to the incredible success of YouGov, and from the highs (and lows) of Jeffrey Archer’s mayoral campaign to overseeing Britain’s rollout as Minister for COVID Vaccine Deployment, Nadhim reflects on the setbacks faced and hurdles cleared that have reinforced his belief in the power of hard work and the benefits of an open, inclusive society.

The Boy from Baghdad is the full and fascinating story of Nadhim’s personal, professional and political journey from Waziriyah to Westminster.

The Boy from Baghdad: My Journey from Waziriyah to Westminster, By Nadhim Zahawi, Read by Nadhim Zahawi

The Labour government will have been in power for nearly two months by the time parliament returns on 2 September. We have already seen a King’s Speech, a major statement on the public finances, an overhaul of the planning system, big plans for clean power – and more.  So what have we learned since Keir Starmer became prime minister – and what comes next for government and British politics?  

Ministers – and opposition MPs – are braced for busy couple of months ahead. What legislation is coming down the track in parliament? How significant is Rachel Reeves’ upcoming budget? Is there more clarity about mission-led government and how the prime minister wants his No.10 to work? How is the Conservative Party leadership contest progressing? And how significant will the party conference season be for Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak and Ed Davey?  

To discuss these questions and more, this Institute for Government webinar brought together an expert panel featuring:  
Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow the Institute for Government 
Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government 
Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government 

The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Parliament returns: What next for British politics?

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’

Publishers of award-winning fiction and non-fiction audiobooks for adults and children. Listen to exclusive clips from our books and free audioook extracts here on Soundcloud.

The leading think tank working to make UK government more effective. 

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Ex-BBC Broadcaster readings of poetry & stories + archive radio/audio features. PLEASE SHARE LINKS with others. 
I’m a self-confessed sound, speech and language nerd.

New tracks tagged #house of commons