May 2026 elections: what are the implications for local government reorganisation?

May 2026 elections: what are the implications for local government reorganisation?

Author: Institute for Government May 22, 2026 Duration: 50:34
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

Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government picks up the conversation where the headlines leave off. With a new Labour administration in place after fourteen years, the sheer scale of its agenda comes into sharp focus. This podcast, from the Institute for Government, digs into the practical realities of governing. Each episode moves beyond the political rhetoric to examine how policies are actually made and implemented, exploring the pressures on public services and the civil service tasked with delivering change. We consider the government's ambitious missions and whether ideas like leveraging AI or fostering a new culture can genuinely "rewire" the state to meet complex challenges. The discussions aim to identify where government is functioning effectively and, just as importantly, where the obstacles lie. By speaking with experts, analysts, and those with firsthand experience, the series provides a clear-eyed look at the mechanics of power and the ongoing effort to turn political goals into tangible results. It’s for anyone curious about the forces that shape our public institutions and the day-to-day work of making government happen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government
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