In conversation with Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister

In conversation with Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister

Author: Institute for Government January 14, 2026 Duration: 43:20
This event was part of Government 2026, the IfG's annual conference. The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister discussed why his role spanning both No.10 and the Cabinet Office was created and the need to modernise public services. Speaking with Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government, he set out the changes being made to the centre of Whitehall to enable the government to drive action more quickly in 2026. We would like to thank Grant Thornton UK LLP for supporting this event.

Ever wondered what really happens behind the doors of Whitehall? Institute for Government pulls up a chair at the table where policy is made and governance gets tested. This isn't about partisan politics or headlines; it's a deeper, more practical conversation about how the machinery of the UK government actually works-or sometimes, why it doesn't. Each episode brings you the experts from the Institute itself, along with senior civil servants, ministers, and analysts, for frank discussions that dissect the challenges of running a country. You'll hear specific case studies, analysis of major events as they unfold, and explorations of long-term issues like public service reform or the complexities of Brexit implementation. The goal is to move beyond theory and into the tangible details of effectiveness and accountability. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining access to a privileged briefing, one that demystifies the processes that shape daily life. It’s for anyone curious about the structures of power, the art of the possible in policy, and the ongoing effort to improve how the nation is governed. Expect thoughtful, evidence-based dialogue that cuts through the noise to examine the levers of statecraft.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Institute for Government
Podcast Episodes
In conversation with Danny Kruger MP [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:42
Alex Thomas, Executive Director at the Institute for Government, was joined by Danny Kruger MP, head of Reform UK’s unit for preparing the party for government. This event was part of the Institute for Government's progr…
Book launch: The Brexit Effect, 2016–2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:08
The Brexit Effect, edited by Sir Anthony Seldon, is a collection of over 30 essays on the impact of the referendum on whether the UK should stay in or leave the European Union. To discuss the book, the Institute for Gove…
IfG DevoLab #6: How can mayors support a just climate transition? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:21
We were at the Institute for Government for the sixth event in the IfG DevoLab series, held in partnership with the JUST Centre, at which speakers from three regions with devolved powers set out how mayors and strategic…
Creating a regulatory system that attracts investment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:48
This event was part of the IfG's half-day conference, Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future? Panellists discussed how the design of a regulatory system can best build investor confidence and…
Delivering government policy through regulation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:37
This event was part of the IfG's half-day conference, Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future? An expert panel explored the purpose of regulation, and particularly its relationship to governme…
In conversation with Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:39
The IfG was pleased to welcome Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, to set out his priorities for political and constitutional reform. In March, Ed Davey set out proposals for a “new Magna Carta” – a written…