Cath Haddon
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cathhaddon.bsky.social
Cath Haddon
@cathhaddon.bsky.social
Senior Fellow @instituteforgov.bsky.social

+ history, Whitehall geekiness and constitutional agony aunt Subscribe to our newsletter: http://bit.ly/3dxiJ5J
Reposted by Cath Haddon
It was great to welcome the "Parliament Matters" podcast to "the political studies powerhouse that is Queen Mary University of London".

Featuring the brilliant @ruthfox.bsky.social @darcyxtip.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social & @danielgover.bsky.social, plus me going tonto on billionaire donors.
🎙️ NEW: PMQs – Parliament Matters Questions.

We took the podcast to Queen Mary University of London for a live Student Week special (@qmul.bsky.social)

Students put their questions to @robertsaunders.bsky.social, @cathhaddon.bsky.social & @danielgover.bsky.social

Listen now:
buff.ly/afqoBHv
September 17, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Really helpful piece by @sirjjkc.bsky.social for
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk on the tricky question of how and when retrospective legislation is appropriate and what it it might mean for the legislation currently in Lords on political donations.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/retr...
Legislating for the past: What is retrospective legislation and when is it ok? | Institute for Government
What is meant by “retrospective” legislation, and can it ever be acceptable?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 15, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Really helpful piece by @sirjjkc.bsky.social for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on the tricky question of how and when retrospective legislation is appropriate and what it it might mean for the legislation currently in Lords on political donations. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/retr...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 15, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Reposted by Cath Haddon
Following Angela Rayner's decision to fully review her predecessor’s LGR decisions, today at 12.30, the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, in partnership with @grantthorntonuk.bsky.social, has brought together a great panel to discuss how this came about and what happens next. Sign up details below.
EVENT | Angela Rayner has put plans to restructure local government on hold. So what went wrong and what happens next?

We'll now discuss on Monday 14 September, 12:30, with Amanda Askham @grantthorntonuk.bsky.social, @matthewfright.bsky.social, Heather Jameson from The MJ and @akashpaun.bsky.social
September 14, 2026 at 5:55 AM
#impact

Boom

(Thank you Cabinet Office)

www.gov.uk/government/p...
September 10, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Must-read for @louisehaighmp.bsky.social by the excellent @hannahkeenan.bsky.social
- Don't just call it a taskforce and parachute new people into centre duplicating others

- Do have a small agile core
- Do keep asking if the taskforce is working
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/task...
A collaborative taskforce can help a government deliver its priorities | Institute for Government
Andy Burnham and Lousie Haigh have an uphill battle to overcome taskforce scepticism.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 9, 2026 at 2:53 PM
In 2021 we looked at how legal advice intersects with policy making.

We came to same conclusion the govt now seems to have drawn: ultimately its for ministers to decide how much legal risk they want to take. They have the power to set the culture.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
September 9, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Yes i know it's very SW1.

But can we have the updated list of cabinet committtees now pretty please?

www.gov.uk/government/p...
List of Cabinet Committees
Cabinet and Cabinet Committees are groups of ministers that can take collective decisions that are binding across government.
www.gov.uk
September 7, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Reposted by Cath Haddon
How can special advisers in the Burnham government get things done?

@paddy-mcalary.bsky.social and @meganbryer.bsky.social set out five tips for how spads can get the most out of their time in government www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/spec...
August 21, 2026 at 10:31 AM
I know you were all discussing this this morning, but i was busy.

Yes it's a thing, no it's not new.

There was a tradition of former PM's/ ministers stocking the No10 library. Goes back to c.1930s?

Supposedly Blair era didn't, but Johnson 'brought it back' (see Telegraph on that).
Is this a thing now?
Can we all send our own books to the Downing Street Library?
Seem to recall Sue Lawley choked when Engelbert Humperdinck opted for his autobiography on Desert Island Discs. A revealing list
August 21, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by Cath Haddon
Highly recommend this excellent @instituteforgovernment.org.uk @cathhaddon.bsky.social series
PODCAST 🎙️ Mid-term prime ministers – Episode 3: Adjusting to the role

In the final episode of our series, we explore how incoming mid-term PMs adjust and the lessons former mid-term transitions hold for Burnham’s premiership – or future mid-term PMs
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Mid-term prime ministers – Episode 3: Adjusting to the role | Institute for Government
In the final episode of our series, we explore lessons former mid-term transitions hold for Andy Burnham’s premiership – or future – mid-term PMs.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
August 21, 2026 at 9:30 AM
🚨Episode Three of Mid-Term Prime Ministers

We dig into early election pressure all mid-term PMs go through, and the Brown, May and Johnson versions of that

Talk about how long the honeymoon period lasts

And explore how mid-term PMs to adjust to the role

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
Mid-term prime ministers – Episode 3: Adjusting to the role
Podcast Episode · Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government · 20 August · 37min
podcasts.apple.com
August 21, 2026 at 8:34 AM
🚨 New podcast

Second in our mid-term PMs series

The transition

- why reshuffles much more precarious for mid-term PMs
- whether they think enough about organising No10
- the all impt q of how to balance continuity v change from their predecessor

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Mid-term prime ministers – Episode 2: The transition | Institute for Government
Episode two of our series takes a closer look at what happened in the first weeks and months of the mid-term premierships from Major to Sunak.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
August 14, 2026 at 7:51 AM
Reposted by Cath Haddon
Great holiday listening if you're away over the summer, or everyday listening if you're not. Loved hearing @cathhaddon.bsky.social 's expert views with a fascinating range of guests from both quite far in the past and very recent transitions.
August 11, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Reposted by Cath Haddon
NEW PODCAST SERIES 🎙️ Mid-term prime ministers: transitions of power between elections

In episode 1 we explore the recent history of mid-term changes of PM from Major to Sunak.

Feat. Gus O'Donnell, Mark Sedwill, Helen MacNamara, Simon Case and more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Mid-term prime ministers – Episode 1: Preparing for change | Institute for Government
Special guests Lord O'Donnell, Mark Sedwill, Helen MacNamara, Simon Case and others share the behind the scenes of the preparation for an incoming PM.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
August 10, 2026 at 8:49 AM
🚨 Episode 1 of our summer podcast series is out!!

We look back at mid-term PMs from Major and Brown, though May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak.

Former cabinet secs and spads took us inside what happened and what makes a mid-term transition different.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Mid-term prime ministers – Episode 1: Preparing for change | Institute for Government
Special guests Lord O'Donnell, Mark Sedwill, Helen MacNamara, Simon Case and others share the behind the scenes of the preparation for an incoming PM.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
August 7, 2026 at 7:49 AM
Reposted by Cath Haddon
Andy Burnham must avoid repeating Keir Starmer’s failed ‘civil service reset’

For a PM who prides himself on plain speaking, he could do worse than start with an honest conversation about the relationship with the civil service www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...
Andy Burnham must avoid repeating Keir Starmer’s failed ‘civil service reset’ | Institute for Government
Platitudes and generalisms serve no one: we need an honest conversation about trust.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
August 6, 2026 at 3:01 PM
New from @drbenpaxton.bsky.social

5 ways all departments can use procurement to deliver on the government’s priority of supporting “growth and innovation in every postcode”.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...
Five ways departments can help deliver Andy Burnham’s procurement agenda | Institute for Government
The government has asked departments to show how they can support its new procurement reforms.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
August 5, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Also worth saying for transparency that the reference to 'lots of my colleagues' by Nicola Hughes (NH) was undoubtedly a reference to @gavinfreeguard.com

Others who worked here at the time (me) weren't quite as obsessed with craft beer but certainly respected Gavin's commitment.
Just looking through @instituteforgovernment.org.uk #MInistersReflect interview with John Healey and instructive that this is what he picks as his big achievement in govt www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/defaul...
August 5, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Reposted by Cath Haddon
Andy Burnham's government has announced changes to the prison early release scheme.

But who is being released and when? Our graphic takes a closer look.

Read @cassiarowland.bsky.social's latest comment on the prison capacity challenge www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/publ...
August 4, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Reposted by Cath Haddon
The UK is forgetting the dull bit of climate change policy

@jillongovt.bsky.social tells us why the Treasury needs to take the lead on how we adapt to the heat www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/uk-f...
The UK is forgetting the dull bit of climate change policy | Institute for Government
The Treasury needs to take the lead on how we adapt to the heat.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
August 4, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Reposted by Cath Haddon
Work with us! 🚨 We are looking for an Events Officer to help support the design and co-ordination of our programme of public and private events.

⏰ Applications close on Friday 7 August at 11:00.

Find out more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...
August 3, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Cath Haddon
Here’s our piece wrapping up Andy Burnham’s government formation - six things we learned about BurnhamWorld by @rebeccamckee.bsky.social @philipnye.bsky.social @meganbryer.bsky.social

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/six-...
Six things we learned from Andy Burnham’s government formation | Institute for Government
What do Andy Burnham’s cabinet choices reveal about the priorities and direction of his new government?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
July 29, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Andy Burnham is setting out his approach to social care

Our performance tracker from 2025 shows the damaging geographical and demographic ‘care gap’ in England.

To take action government needs to understand how and where this care gap is forming www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
July 29, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Reposted by Cath Haddon
This will be a great webinar with @jillongovt.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @tompope.bsky.social - do join us on Thursday and send in the questions you’d like the team to answer…
EVENT | Andy Burnham: How is the new prime minister changing the direction of government?

📅Thursday 30 July 2026, 13:00-13:50

Join us online as an expert panel assesses Andy Burnham's early decisions, his key appointments, and the way he is approaching the job of prime minister.
July 28, 2026 at 7:51 PM