Westminster
Tracking the pulse of UK politics, legislative developments, and the daily dynamics of Parliament.
How Britain Appoints People to Public Bodies
Britain’s public bodies are led by people who are often appointed rather than elected. Regulators, advisory boards, tribunals and arm’s-length organisations therefore depend...
Rachel FenwickAugust 2, 2026
BP Puts North Sea Business Up for Sale
BP has launched a process to sell its North Sea oil and gas business following a review of its global portfolio. The proposed...
Imogen ClarkeJuly 31, 2026
What Ministerial Responsibility Actually Requires
Ministerial responsibility is one of the central conventions of the Westminster system, but it is often described too simply. A departmental failure does...
Helen WhitmoreJuly 28, 2026
Zelenskyy Meets Burnham on First UK Visit of New Premiership
Zelenskyy and Burnham discuss defence cooperation Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Prime Minister Andy Burnham at His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth on 27...
Imogen ClarkeJuly 27, 2026
Andy Burnham Begins Work at No 10 North in Manchester
Prime Minister Andy Burnham began work at No 10 North in Manchester on 24 July 2026, presenting the new office as a base...
Peter HaldenJuly 24, 2026
Why Civil Service Neutrality Matters
Britain’s permanent civil service is expected to serve the elected government of the day regardless of party. That sounds simple, but it creates...
Rachel FenwickJuly 23, 2026
What Britain’s Voting Systems Trade Off
Arguments about electoral reform often sound as if one voting system is democratic and another is not. The more useful question is what...
Helen WhitmoreJuly 19, 2026
Public Sector Reform and Government Delivery
Public-sector reform is a recurring challenge for UK governments because better services depend on institutions, budgets, technology and staff working together. Reform is...
Helen WhitmoreJuly 16, 2026
What the Mayor of London Can Actually Control
The Mayor of London is one of the most powerful directly elected figures in British local government, but the office does not control...
Rachel FenwickJuly 11, 2026
Labour under Burnham will be faster and bolder, says minister
Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy has signalled a shift in the party’s strategic direction, suggesting that an administration led by Andy Burnham would adopt...
Jonathan MercerJuly 10, 2026
