What will the 2026 devolved elections mean for Scotland, Wales and the UK?

What will the 2026 devolved elections mean for Scotland, Wales and the UK?

Author: Institute for Government May 7, 2026 Duration: 1:07:41
On Thursday 7 May, voters in Scotland and Wales will elect the members of the devolved parliaments in Edinburgh and Cardiff. A change of government is expected in Wales, where Labour trails both Plaid Cymru and Reform UK in the polls. In Scotland, by contrast, the SNP is forecast to take a fifth successive victory, potentially with an outright majority, which the party will claim provides a mandate for an independence referendum. What are the probable electoral and government formation scenarios? What will the results mean for how Scotland and Wales are governed? What challenges and opportunities will face the incoming first ministers? And what are the potential implications for Westminster and relations between the UK nations? On the eve of these crucial votes, the Institute for Government convened an expert panel to explore what is at stake and what is likely to happen. On the panel: Professor John Curtice, Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde Liz Lloyd, former Chief of Staff to the First Minister of Scotland, Specialist Partner at Flint Global Akash Paun, Programme Director for Devolution at the Institute for Government Jane Runeckles, former Chief of Staff to the First Minister of Wales, FDA National Officer This event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

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
The view from the IfG: Government in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:35
This event was part of Government 2026, the IfG's annual conference. Political journalist Carolyn Quinn, former presenter of the BBC’s Westminster Hour, was in conversation with four IfG programme directors to discuss th…
Rewiring the state: Is the government making any progress? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:51
This event was part of Government 2026, the IfG's annual conference. Drawing on brand new IfG research, this panel gave its verdict on the government's attempts to reform the civil service. Whitehall Monitor 2026 present…
Is the centre of government built to deliver? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:32
This event was part of Government 2026, the IfG's annual conference. An expert panel explored how well No.10 and the Treasury work together to deliver the government's economic priorities. Rt Hon Ed Balls, broadcaster, p…