Paddy McAlary
@paddy-mcalary.bsky.social
Researcher @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Fellow @ihr.bsky.social
Fellow @ihr.bsky.social
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
September 5, 2025 at 1:14 PM
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
Dealing with crises will always be tough for ministers – but by thinking about what they can do beforehand and how they can be effective during a crisis they can make sure that they are better prepared for what is to come – because this is something that they need to get right
June 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Dealing with crises will always be tough for ministers – but by thinking about what they can do beforehand and how they can be effective during a crisis they can make sure that they are better prepared for what is to come – because this is something that they need to get right
One of the most noticeable roles that a minister plays is communicator. Whether visiting a town submerged in flood water, appearing on TV screens alongside experts with updates or making statements in parliament itself, ministers invariably become the face of the government’s response to a crisis.
June 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
One of the most noticeable roles that a minister plays is communicator. Whether visiting a town submerged in flood water, appearing on TV screens alongside experts with updates or making statements in parliament itself, ministers invariably become the face of the government’s response to a crisis.
Ministers also need to be problem solvers and be willing to use the weight of their office to push decisions through inertia in the system – whether that be fending off other parts of the system or providing political cover for those agencies that are leading the response effort
June 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Ministers also need to be problem solvers and be willing to use the weight of their office to push decisions through inertia in the system – whether that be fending off other parts of the system or providing political cover for those agencies that are leading the response effort
Certain crises – like floods or terrorist attacks – will see emergency services and other bodies like the Environment Agency take the lead in responding to the event – but ministers still have a role to play in setting the strategic parameters for crisis resolution.
June 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Certain crises – like floods or terrorist attacks – will see emergency services and other bodies like the Environment Agency take the lead in responding to the event – but ministers still have a role to play in setting the strategic parameters for crisis resolution.
While ministers will fulfil many of these roles in everyday business, the context of a crisis shapes ministers’ roles. Whether it is manning the desk at a sudden COBR meeting or ensuring their own resilience and that of their immediate team – crises demand a specific response from ministers.
June 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
While ministers will fulfil many of these roles in everyday business, the context of a crisis shapes ministers’ roles. Whether it is manning the desk at a sudden COBR meeting or ensuring their own resilience and that of their immediate team – crises demand a specific response from ministers.
New IfG research has shed light on what ministers can do before a crisis to prepare and after it has passed to capture learning – but when a crisis is unfolding in real time, there are six roles that ministers can play
June 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
New IfG research has shed light on what ministers can do before a crisis to prepare and after it has passed to capture learning – but when a crisis is unfolding in real time, there are six roles that ministers can play
📣New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report & guide on ministerial leadership during crises
Most government ministers will face a crisis of one type or another in office – and this can be make or break. So how can a minister successfully prepare for crises and what roles can they play? 🧵
Most government ministers will face a crisis of one type or another in office – and this can be make or break. So how can a minister successfully prepare for crises and what roles can they play? 🧵
June 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
📣New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report & guide on ministerial leadership during crises
Most government ministers will face a crisis of one type or another in office – and this can be make or break. So how can a minister successfully prepare for crises and what roles can they play? 🧵
Most government ministers will face a crisis of one type or another in office – and this can be make or break. So how can a minister successfully prepare for crises and what roles can they play? 🧵
Lord Hunt has resigned as Minister for Energy Security/Net Zero, being replaced by Baroness Curran
5 ministers have resigned from Starmer's govt putting him narrowly behind Sunak & Johnson (each had 6 resignations at this point) but he is pulling away from their predecessors on resignation numbers
5 ministers have resigned from Starmer's govt putting him narrowly behind Sunak & Johnson (each had 6 resignations at this point) but he is pulling away from their predecessors on resignation numbers
May 23, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Lord Hunt has resigned as Minister for Energy Security/Net Zero, being replaced by Baroness Curran
5 ministers have resigned from Starmer's govt putting him narrowly behind Sunak & Johnson (each had 6 resignations at this point) but he is pulling away from their predecessors on resignation numbers
5 ministers have resigned from Starmer's govt putting him narrowly behind Sunak & Johnson (each had 6 resignations at this point) but he is pulling away from their predecessors on resignation numbers
With rumours of a Labour reshuffle on the horizon, the prime minister should be conscious about making unnecessary moves, while ministers with an eye on a new job should follow John Glen’s advice ...
May 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
With rumours of a Labour reshuffle on the horizon, the prime minister should be conscious about making unnecessary moves, while ministers with an eye on a new job should follow John Glen’s advice ...
It is not all about being inside government, however, those parties currently in opposition can learn a lesson from Nick Gibb, who describes how his own period outside of government was central to his effectiveness on the inside
May 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
It is not all about being inside government, however, those parties currently in opposition can learn a lesson from Nick Gibb, who describes how his own period outside of government was central to his effectiveness on the inside
While our ministers sometimes felt pigeonholed in their roles, they all agreed that staying in place was fundamental to their success in government - it allowed them to develop expertise and connections and to be respected in their respective areas
May 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
While our ministers sometimes felt pigeonholed in their roles, they all agreed that staying in place was fundamental to their success in government - it allowed them to develop expertise and connections and to be respected in their respective areas
One of the big lessons is the pressure that ministers feel to perform - failure is simply not an option, but it takes time for ministers to work out the nuances of their role
May 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
One of the big lessons is the pressure that ministers feel to perform - failure is simply not an option, but it takes time for ministers to work out the nuances of their role
The first thing is that these ministers stand outside the norm for the length of time they stayed put!
Gibb saw six different education secretaries over his 10 years in office, Glen outlasted four chancellors and Pow saw four environment secretaries come and go in her time
Gibb saw six different education secretaries over his 10 years in office, Glen outlasted four chancellors and Pow saw four environment secretaries come and go in her time
May 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The first thing is that these ministers stand outside the norm for the length of time they stayed put!
Gibb saw six different education secretaries over his 10 years in office, Glen outlasted four chancellors and Pow saw four environment secretaries come and go in her time
Gibb saw six different education secretaries over his 10 years in office, Glen outlasted four chancellors and Pow saw four environment secretaries come and go in her time
While these details help add some colour to the Labour spads, there is still too much that we do not know!
We lack key details about pay and seniority despite reports of pay being rebanded
The picture is becoming clearer, but we need more spad data sooner rather than later
We lack key details about pay and seniority despite reports of pay being rebanded
The picture is becoming clearer, but we need more spad data sooner rather than later
April 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM
While these details help add some colour to the Labour spads, there is still too much that we do not know!
We lack key details about pay and seniority despite reports of pay being rebanded
The picture is becoming clearer, but we need more spad data sooner rather than later
We lack key details about pay and seniority despite reports of pay being rebanded
The picture is becoming clearer, but we need more spad data sooner rather than later
There has also been a greater proportion of female spads (40%) amongst this cohort
But gender balance amongst special advisers is lower than other areas of politics and is not too far outside the trajectory of recent special adviser cohorts
But gender balance amongst special advisers is lower than other areas of politics and is not too far outside the trajectory of recent special adviser cohorts
April 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM
There has also been a greater proportion of female spads (40%) amongst this cohort
But gender balance amongst special advisers is lower than other areas of politics and is not too far outside the trajectory of recent special adviser cohorts
But gender balance amongst special advisers is lower than other areas of politics and is not too far outside the trajectory of recent special adviser cohorts
This is the fewest number of special advisers - proportionally at least - appointed by a PM since the coalition government
April 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM
This is the fewest number of special advisers - proportionally at least - appointed by a PM since the coalition government
While Starmer's No.10 has been evolving since the election - with some high profile moves such as the departure of Sue Gray and Matthew Doyle - we have seen a drop in the number of special advisers in No.10
April 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM
While Starmer's No.10 has been evolving since the election - with some high profile moves such as the departure of Sue Gray and Matthew Doyle - we have seen a drop in the number of special advisers in No.10
This is fewer spads than were in place under Rishi Sunak's government, but we shouldn't overstate this - it is broadly in line with recent cohorts
April 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM
This is fewer spads than were in place under Rishi Sunak's government, but we shouldn't overstate this - it is broadly in line with recent cohorts
But ultimately, when it comes to representation in government it is a choice
For Amber Rudd, leadership needs "to be making an effort to ensure women are promoted" while Justine Greening points out that “people pick teams” - making representation a priority "really is a question of will”
For Amber Rudd, leadership needs "to be making an effort to ensure women are promoted" while Justine Greening points out that “people pick teams” - making representation a priority "really is a question of will”
March 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
But ultimately, when it comes to representation in government it is a choice
For Amber Rudd, leadership needs "to be making an effort to ensure women are promoted" while Justine Greening points out that “people pick teams” - making representation a priority "really is a question of will”
For Amber Rudd, leadership needs "to be making an effort to ensure women are promoted" while Justine Greening points out that “people pick teams” - making representation a priority "really is a question of will”
Previous office holders drew on their own experiences and perspectives to make policies that are designed for women
Margaret Hodge reflects on the women who helped push through flexible working arrangements and Harriet Harman discusses the (then new) women & equalities ministerial brief
Margaret Hodge reflects on the women who helped push through flexible working arrangements and Harriet Harman discusses the (then new) women & equalities ministerial brief
March 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Previous office holders drew on their own experiences and perspectives to make policies that are designed for women
Margaret Hodge reflects on the women who helped push through flexible working arrangements and Harriet Harman discusses the (then new) women & equalities ministerial brief
Margaret Hodge reflects on the women who helped push through flexible working arrangements and Harriet Harman discusses the (then new) women & equalities ministerial brief
But, as Chloe Smith says, there have been big changes for women in government, not least the formalisation of maternity leave under the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021
March 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
But, as Chloe Smith says, there have been big changes for women in government, not least the formalisation of maternity leave under the Ministerial and other Maternity Allowances Act 2021
Interviewees explain some difficulties they faced dealing with male colleagues
Margaret Beckett felt hostility as Foreign Sec, Jo Swinson was put off by the "alpha male syndrome" & Patricia Hewitt had to rebuff well-meaning, but misguided, assumptions by the PM about what her team should look like
Margaret Beckett felt hostility as Foreign Sec, Jo Swinson was put off by the "alpha male syndrome" & Patricia Hewitt had to rebuff well-meaning, but misguided, assumptions by the PM about what her team should look like
March 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Interviewees explain some difficulties they faced dealing with male colleagues
Margaret Beckett felt hostility as Foreign Sec, Jo Swinson was put off by the "alpha male syndrome" & Patricia Hewitt had to rebuff well-meaning, but misguided, assumptions by the PM about what her team should look like
Margaret Beckett felt hostility as Foreign Sec, Jo Swinson was put off by the "alpha male syndrome" & Patricia Hewitt had to rebuff well-meaning, but misguided, assumptions by the PM about what her team should look like
The interviews provide a flavour of ministerial life
Tracey Crouch recalls taking time to think about accepting her new ministerial job compared to male colleagues who felt destined for greatness
While Claire Sugden reflects on the unbalanced media scrutiny that attaches itself to gender and age
Tracey Crouch recalls taking time to think about accepting her new ministerial job compared to male colleagues who felt destined for greatness
While Claire Sugden reflects on the unbalanced media scrutiny that attaches itself to gender and age
March 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The interviews provide a flavour of ministerial life
Tracey Crouch recalls taking time to think about accepting her new ministerial job compared to male colleagues who felt destined for greatness
While Claire Sugden reflects on the unbalanced media scrutiny that attaches itself to gender and age
Tracey Crouch recalls taking time to think about accepting her new ministerial job compared to male colleagues who felt destined for greatness
While Claire Sugden reflects on the unbalanced media scrutiny that attaches itself to gender and age
For the first time, half of all ministers are women and more women now attend cabinet than ever before –
To celebrate international women’s day we've taken a deep dive into the @instituteforgov.bsky.social Ministers Reflect archive to share some insights from women who served in government ...
🧵
To celebrate international women’s day we've taken a deep dive into the @instituteforgov.bsky.social Ministers Reflect archive to share some insights from women who served in government ...
🧵
March 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
For the first time, half of all ministers are women and more women now attend cabinet than ever before –
To celebrate international women’s day we've taken a deep dive into the @instituteforgov.bsky.social Ministers Reflect archive to share some insights from women who served in government ...
🧵
To celebrate international women’s day we've taken a deep dive into the @instituteforgov.bsky.social Ministers Reflect archive to share some insights from women who served in government ...
🧵