Jack Pannell

Britain Backed Greenland’s Autonomy - What Does That Mean for Wales? - British Foreign Policy Group Felix Milbank explores the relationships between centre and periphery on the world stage and within the Union, and what the UK can learn from Denmark.

New BFPG Guest Paper: Britain Backed Greenland's Autonomy - What does that mean for Wales?

Government foreign policy must reckon with an increasingly muscular parliament - British Foreign Policy Group BFPG looks at parliament's role in foreign policy, and the need for government and MPs to alter their approach.

As the government was forced by its backbenchers into yet another retreat this week over the opposition's humble address, @jackpannell.bsky.social argues this increasingly muscular parliament may begin to push the government in an area where it has historically had little say: Foreign policy.

BFPG Director Evie Aspinall speaks to LBC about Keir Starmer's response on Greenland - British Foreign Policy Group BFPG Director Evie Aspinall spoke to Steve Holden on LBC about the Prime Minister's response to Presdient Donald Trump's threats of tariffs on the UK and other European allies over Greenland

Our Director @evieaspinall.bsky.social spoke spoke to Steve Holden on LBC about the Prime Minister’s response to Presdient Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs on the UK and other European allies over Greenland.

What we learned from Keir Starmer’s speech on Greenland and UK-US Relations of the world order - British Foreign Policy Group BFPG summarises the key takeaways from Starmer's statement on Trump's threats to impose tariffs on the UK over Greenland.

Some thoughts from this morning's speech by the Prime Minister.

Another big day in foreign policy. What to expect/look out for:
1. Iran - a slight de-escalation this morning after an intense night. Trump wants any US strike to take out the regime. That is difficult given US military build up in the Caribbean due to their attacks on Venezuela.

Sovereignty, moral high grounds and the future of the world order - British Foreign Policy Group As President Trump attacks Venezuela and leaves key UN institutions, BFPG explores what it means for future global norms and security.

Excited to share my first joint blog post at the British Foreign Policy Group with @evieaspinall.bsky.social. We reflect on the attack on Venezuela over the weekend and what it might men for the future of the rules based order.

Four mayors delayed, three ministers reflect, and a House of Lords battle renewed | Institute for Government The IfG's experts are in the studio to discuss the delay to the 2026 mayoral elections, and the government's plans to instal more peers in the Lords.

PODCAST 🎙️ Four mayors delayed, three ministers reflect, and a House of Lords battle renewed

@drhannahwhite.bsky.social is in the studio with @akashpaun.bsky.social @rebeccamckee.bsky.social @jackpannell.bsky.social

Listen to the Inside Briefing 🎧 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

Last week at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, we published a new set of Ministers Reflect interviews with Sajid Javid, Simon Hart and Theresa Villiers.

My comment piece below explores the key lessons Starmer's govt can take from these reflections.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/less...

One of the best thing we do at IfG (in my unbiased opinion) is the Ministers Reflect archive. Megan has summarised our three most recent interviews here, but cannot reccomend enough going down the rabbit-hole of Ministers Reflect interviews as some pre-xmas procrastination.

1/ Last month, the government released a new list of its parliamentary private secretaries and cabinet committees following September’s reshuffle.

Our explainers are updated with the new numbers!

Here are some key takeaways from the releases…

The Covid Inquiry: What does Module II say about government decision making and political governance? | Institute for Government Join our IfG experts webinar to unpack the Covid Inquiry's findings and explore their implications for future governance.

This afternoon my colleagues at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk will be discussing the second covid inquiry report. Join us online at lunchtime & bring your questions - see you there!

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/covid-...

Worth noting here as well that- unlike in the Commons, where the Speaker selects which amendments are debated- in the Lords, any peer can insist on having their amendment debated and voted on (although there aren't *usually* lots of amendments pushed to a vote)

The government must explain and defend its grooming gang inquiry decisions | Institute for Government Some disagreement when setting up an inquiry isn’t necessarily bad – but how it is handled matters.

New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk comment from me

The chaos surrounding the grooming gangs inquiry last week highlights much deeper problems with the way the government sets up public inquiries

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/groo...

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

Civil service staff numbers | Institute for Government Who exactly are civil servants and how many are there?

1/ If you've been itching to know how the size of the civil service has changed... we at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have you covered.

I've crunched the numbers from the latest ONS data release, which you can read about here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ci...

For first time in decades, U.S. says Colombia is falling short in drug war For the first time in decades, the U.S. has decertified Colombia as a drug control partner — a symbolic blow to one of Washington's closest allies in Latin America.

Trump's decaf decertification ends months of anxiety in #Colombia — where soaring #cocaine production has stoked fears of sweeping #U.S. sanctions — but deals a symbolic blow to a country that has historically been one of #Washington's closest allies in the region.

www.npr.org/2025/09/16/n...

Huge new numbers of MPs have been appointed as parliamentary private secretaries in the reshuffle. The government needs to use them well to rebuild links with its MPs, rather than just as a way to buy some of them off

Labour has announced their new PPSs, not part of government, but expected to vote with the party. Just one of the 52 signed the reasoned amendment to the welfare bill.

So no ministers and just one PPS from those that rebelled. Indicates a clear approach to MP dissidence from the leadership.

Seven things we learned from Keir Starmer’s first reshuffle | Institute for Government What does the prime minster’s first major reshuffle tell us about his new-look government?

Here's the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk 'seven things we learned from Keir Starmer's reshuffle' from @jackpannell.bsky.social @timdurrant.bsky.social and I with data from @philipnye.bsky.social & our now updated Ministers Database

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/seve...

Angela Rayner's resignation on Friday means that a contest to replace her as deputy leader of the Labour Party has started.

Read my first explainer at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk to find out how the process will work, who is running, and when will we find out who Rayner's successor will be!

Labour Peers Want New Rules For Lords Debates After A Rise In Midnight Sittings Labour peers are calling for new limits on House of Lords debates after what they describe as an increase in the number of votes taking place in th...

I reported earlier this year that Labour peers were calling for new limits on debates following an increase in the number of votes taking place in the early hours

This doesn't seem to have changed - Ben Riley-Smith highlights a 3:47am finish this morning
www.politicshome.com/news/article...

The 2025 Labour Party deputy leader contest | Institute for Government Angela Rayner has stepped down as deputy leader of the Labour Party. Who is in the running to replace her and how will the process work?

With nominations for deputy leader closing tomorrow, @meganbryer.bsky.social has you covered for how the Deputy leadership election will run, who is in the running, and when we can expect Rayner's successor to take up their post.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/20...

Over on @instituteforgovernment.org.uk live blog we're posting our 'cabinet flashcards' - key info on who's who in Starmer's reshuffled cabinet.

Helping you prepare for - presumably - the hottest round at every pub quiz this week (if your local one hasn't been cancelled due to tube strikes...)

Starmer government reshuffle: PM changes top team after Rayner's exit | Institute for Government The IfG team analyse the moves as Keir Starmer reshapes his Cabinet.

As the second reshuffle of the week kicks off, we have launched our liveblog. We will be covering all the ins and outs as well as top analysis from our IfG experts.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

Posting this again because now I’ve had chance to look at it in detail - Starmer is *well* ahead of other recent PMs when it comes to resignations at this point in their tenure.

Not all because of scandal (though several are) - also higher pressure and expectations on ministers generally?

Reshuffle has started

Lucy Powell out as Leader of the Commons

Ian Murray out as Scottish Secretary

While all eyes have been on Angela Rayner's big announcement, she was not the only minister to go - reports are that Poppy Gustafsson has resigned as UK investment minister meaning 11 ministers have officially resigned (and 1 has been sacked) from the government since the GE

With Rayner stepping down we have hit 10 minister's who have oficially resigned from this government. Make sure you are following @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social @timdurrant.bsky.social @rebeccamckee.bsky.social meganbryer.bsky.social for what Starmer will do next with his minsiterial team.

Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure | Institute for Government How to improve the hybrid bill legislative process.

📎REPORT: Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure

Hybrid bills help approve major infrastructure projects, but recent cases show inefficiencies. This paper suggests reforms to improve the process and unlock the potential of hybrid bills.

Read the report:👇
zurl.co/m7cUv