Dr Catherine Haddon

Such a busy year, but so much great work from the whole team. Really proud of them all.

This is a really impt point too little discussed. The kind of team building you’d see in other walks of life is often neglected.

The appointment of a new Cabinet Secretary is always the hottest of topics*. So very much looking forward to this chat in half an hour!!

*yes it is

Excellent piece from Ben. Good point well made.

Had forgotten about the Exit Poll Discourse.

Nice to see you again Exit Poll Discourse. Welcome back, yes it’s been a while.

Superb thread. I can also tell you that Finn is now a mine of information about niche PMBs

Going on @TimesRadio shortly to discuss the process to replace Case and what the PM should be looking for.

A reminder that first ballot results are only rarely indicative of final MPs ballots. Lots of tactics and lent votes so you really can't judge these numbers except that enough MPs (other camps) chose to eliminate Patel.

Anyhoo, I shall return to being on holiday and avoiding this place I think…

I quite like appointing actual experts into government, especially on the constitution.

I also think governments shouldn’t fear appointing spads when that is the appropriate role. But we also need a route for policy expertise, and it’s good when they are actual experts.

Nobody does “I’m not angry I’m just disappointed” better than Michael Johnson when the US yet again mess up the relay baton change….

This has been such a great series.

Huge well done to Jack and the production team.

The rest of the series has I’m sure been incredibly helpful to anyone who has recently become a spad…. I suspect this episode more cathartic for those who’ve recently stopped being one.

Brother: “ah, some whimsy”

“French minions!”

Excellent thing to be doing.

Do spread far and wide….

Just a reminder
a. there's only so much legislation you can do in one session
b. it's only announcing things that need legislation, not all policy
c. it is actually good practice to limit what you will do when, or you have a bad use of parly time and can lead to a chaotic PBL

She really did have to scramble back. I was on substitute duty while she tried to get across the road.

Watch using the link below

Huge well done and thank you to @FinnBaker3 @Sachin_Savur @philipnye @melissaittoo @annadventurelog and @timd_IFG and to all the @instituteforgov colleagues who’ve contributed to the liveblog since last Friday.

It’s a massive team effort that brings superb charts and analysis.

Excellent points from @NorwichChloe about how new ministers find themselves 'spinning' with the pace of events and it can feel very lonely, despite the large team you're working in. Says you need help to maintain clarity of thoughts, purpose and action.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/new-mini…

More signs of Starmer prioritising competence over politics in appointments.

If he holds to it, it could send a very different signal to ministers about what they need to do to impress (deliver). And also to MPs wanting to become ministers.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir-s…

A LOT of first time Labour MPs going straight into government.