Podcasts about ifg

Prisons nearly bursting. Court cases backlogged. Prisoners released early. It couldn't happen again, could it? Former BBC journalist and Labour adviser Danny Shaw joins the podcast team to discuss a brand new IfG report into the state of the criminal justice system. In another difficult week for the government, the inquiry into grooming gangs has run into problems after at least four members of the victims and survivors panel quit in protest at how the government has handled the process so far. Can Louise Casey fix it? Plus: Prince Andrew, the Royal family, and the government. What happens next?   Catherine Haddon presents. With Alex Thomas and Cassia Rowland.  Produced by Milo Hynes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Productivity in public services has never been more important. Most services are struggling to return to pre-pandemic performance levels, and the new Labour government has indicated that spending will remain tight. Improvements in performance will likely come from frontline workers finding new, innovative ways of delivering services.   So what can be done to improve productivity? By highlighting outstanding examples of innovation across public services, Productivity Pitches, a series of events hosted by the IfG, aims to share and support ways to improve performance levels. This event was the eighth in the series and focused on innovation across public services. Each speaker had 10 minutes to present their innovation, followed by 10 minutes of audience questions. The chair and a guest from The Productivity Institute – which kindly supported this event series – brought together the common themes from the pitches and discussed the lessons for improving productivity. The speakers for this edition of Productivity Pitches were: Aoife O'Higgins, Director of Evidence at Foundations, the What Works Centre for children and families explained how their work showing the efficacy of Family Group Conferencing (FGC) has led to the government legislating in the Children, Wellbeing and Schools Bill to mandate that councils offer parents a Family Group Decision Making meeting before referring a child to social services. This substantially expanded the use of FGCs. Rhian Gladman and Gary Hughes on LGA's peer challenge programme and transformation support. For its peer challenge programme, the LGA recruits senior local government officers and political leaders to act as peer reviewers. Following a meeting with the council that will be reviewed, a small team of peer reviewers is sent in to speak to people, assess processes and documents, and use their knowledge to provide peer-led feedback. For transformation support, the LGA matches peers with transformation experience with councils that need that specific advice. The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Joel Hoskins, Research Assistant at The Productivity Institute joined to the discuss common themes. Productivity Pitches was kindly supported by The Productivity Institute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The IfG team headed to Birmingham to explore how mayors can secure and deliver private investment into their regions in pursuit of growth and regeneration. The IfG DevoLab is a new initiative from the Institute for Government dedicated to exploring the innovations enabled by devolution, learning from the results, and sharing the lessons so that places can take better decisions about how to use devolved powers and budgets.   IfG DevoLab #2 saw speakers from three regions – West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and the North East – set out how the powers and profile of mayors and the convening role of strategic authorities have been used to secure and deliver private investment for key regional strategic projects. ‘Investing in the West Midlands: The Birmingham Sports Quarter', Jonathan Gibson, Interim Director of Strategy at the West Midlands Combined Authority ‘Investing in Greater Manchester: The Sister Innovation District, Robert Edwards, Deputy Director of Investment at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority ‘Investing in the North East', Dr Henry Kippin, Chief Executive of the North East Combined Authority The three presenters were joined on the panel by Julia Goldsworthy, Head of Social Impact Investment at L&G, and former Director of Strategy at West Midlands Combined Authority, for a broader discussion on the benefits of devolution and mayoral leadership, the lessons less mature devolved regions can learn from those further along in the journey, and whether further devolution can accelerate growth.   This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government, with an introduction by Hannah White, CEO of the Institute for Government.  Insights from this discussion informed a published policy briefing containing the three case studies and a synthesis of key lessons. The Institute for Government would like to thank L&G for its support of this event and its wider support of the IfG DevoLab series.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nick Jeffery and John Granger continue their Q&A conversations about Rowling-Galbraith's Hallmarked Man (if you missed the first discussion, click here to catch up). As usual, the pair promised to send links and notes along with their recorded back and forth for anyone wanting to read more about the subjects they discussed. Scroll down for their seven plus one questions and a bevy of bonus material they trust will add to your appreciation of Rowling's Strike 8 artistry and meaning. Cheers!Q1: What is the meaning of or artistry involved with Pat Chauncey's three fish in the Agency's fish tank, ‘Robin,' ‘Cormoran,' and ‘Travolta/Elton'?Mise en Abyme (Wikipedia)In Western art history, mise en abyme (French pronunciation: [miz ɑ̃n‿abim]; also mise en abîme) is the technique of placing a copy of an image within itself, often in a way that suggests an infinitely recurring sequence. In film theory and literary theory, it refers to the story within a story technique.The term is derived from heraldry, and means placed into abyss (exact middle of a shield). It was first appropriated for modern criticism by the French author André Gide. A common sense of the phrase is the visual experience of standing between two mirrors and seeing an infinite reproduction of one's image. Another is the Droste effect, in which a picture appears within itself, in a place where a similar picture would realistically be expected to appearSnargaloff pods (Harry Potter Wiki)“It sprang to life at once; long, prickly, bramble-like vines flew out of the top and whipped through the air... Harry succeeded in trapping a couple of vines and knotting them together; a hole opened in the middle of all the tentacle-like branches... Hermione snatched her arm free, clutching in her fingers a pod... At once, the prickly vines shot back inside and the gnarled stump sat there looking like an innocently dead lump of wood“— The trio dealing with the Snargaluff plant in sixth year Herbology classSnargaluff was a magical plant with the appearance of a gnarled stump, but had dangerous hidden thorn-covered vines that attacked when provoked, and was usually best handled by more than one person.Juliana's Question about the Oranda Goldfish:did anyone else notice - I confess to only noticing this on my second re-read of THM- that Travolta, Pat's third fish, dies?What do we think about this? Could this mean Mr. Ryan F. Murphy dies…? Or could it just be foreshadowing of the fact that him and Robin don't end up together? I think the fish symbolism was quite humorous and delightful paralleling such a deep and intricate plot. Just wanted to know if anyone noticed this tinge of humor towards the end of the book… As for the fish theory, Pat's three fish in the tank: Strike, Robin and the third, she calls, Travolta — ironically, named after a “handsome” man. I'm thinking JKR meant Travolta, the fish to symbolize Murphy…What I was referring to in my original comment: the three fish = the love triangle between Ellacott/Murphy/Strike. I was asking: since Travolta died in Chapter 113, do we think this foreshadows Murphy either dying physically, or just that Robin and Murphy do not end up together?John's ‘Fish and Peas' Response:It's a relief to learn that Travolta's most famous role wasn't a character named Ryan Murphy that everyone in the world except myself knows very well. Thank you for this explanation!There's more to your idea, though, I think, then you have shared. Forgive me if you were already aware of this textual argument that suggests very strongly that these Oranda goldfish have been an important part of Rowling's plan from the series from the start. In brief, it's about the peas.In Part 2, Chapter 3, of ‘Cuckoo's Calling,' Robin and Matt are having their first fight about Strike and the Agency. The chapter ends with an odd note that this disagreement has blemished the Cunliffe couple's engagement.“She waited until he had walked away into the sitting room before turning off the tap. There was, she noticed, a fragment of frozen pea caught in the setting of her engagement ring.” (73)Your theory that the fish bowl is an embedded picture of the state of Robin's feelings for Murphy and Strike, a Mise en abyme of sorts, is given credibility in the eyes of this reader by the appearance of frozen peas as the cure for the dying Cormoran goldfish. It is hard for a Rowling Reader to believe that these two mentions of frozen pea fragments were coincidental or unrelated, which means that (a) Rowling had the office Oranda goldfish scene-within-the-scene in Strike 8 foreshadowed by the Strike 1 tiff, and (b) therefore of real significance.There is another pea bit, of course, in ‘Troubled Blood' at Skegness, a passage that links Robin's heart or essence with peas.Strike was still watching the starlings when Robin set down two polystyrene trays, two small wooden forks and two cans of Coke on the table.“Mushy peas,” said Strike, looking at Robin's tray, where a hefty dollop of what looked like green porridge sat alongside her fish and chips.“Yorkshire caviar,” said Robin, sitting down. “I didn't think you'd want any.”“You were right,” said Strike, picking up a sachet of tomato sauce while watching with something like revulsion as Robin dipped a chip into the green sludge and ate it.“Soft Southerner, you are,” she said, and Strike laughed. (807-808)If you tie this in with the fish symbolism embedded in Rowling's favorite paintings and the meaning of ‘Oranda,' this is quite a bit of depth in that fish bowl -- and in your argument that the death of Travolta signifies Murphy is out of consideration.You're probably to young to remember this but Travolta's most famous role will always be Tony Manero in ‘Saturday Night Fever,' the breakout event of his acting career. Manero longs for a woman way out of his league, attempts to rape her after they win a dance contest, she naturally rejects him, but they wind up as friends.Or in a book so heavy in the cultish beliefs and practices of Freemasonry, especially with respect to policemen that are also “on the square,” maybe the Travolta-Murphy link is just that the actor is, with Tom Cruise, as famous (well...) for his beliefs in Scientology as for his acting ability.So, yes, it's fun, your ‘Peas and Fish' theory, but there's something to it.Check out this note on ‘Peas' in the Strike novels from Renee over at the weblog: https://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/hallmarked-man-placeholder-post-index/comment-page-1/#comment-1699017 The fish symbolism embedded in Rowling's favorite painting: https://hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/p/rowlings-favorite-painting-and-what And the meaning of ‘Oranda:' https://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/rowling-twixter-fish-and-strike-update/Follow-Up by Julianna:I'm not sure what exact chapter this is in, but let's also not forget that on Sark, Strike procures a bag of frozen peas to soothe the spade to his face injury. I also want to add that he has used frozen peas before, to soothe his aching leg too, but I could be wrong about that…I cant remember where I've read that, so it might not be true….Lastly, after reading Renee's comment, I have to say, that now I do believe that the peas might have been an ongoing symbol for Strike (a la…the pea in the engagement ring) and…stay with me here….peas are potentially, what save Cormoran, the goldfish, from dying.“The black fish called Cormoran was again flailing helplessly at the top of the tank. ‘Stupid a*****e, you've done it to your f*cking self'.” And the very last line of the book being: “Then pushed himself into a standing position ear and knee both throbbing. In the absence of anything else he could do to improve his present situation, he set off for the attic to fetch the empty margerine tub…and some peas.” (Chapter 127).My point being: this could be a way of Rowling saying, that Strike saves himself from himself…another psychological undertone in her stories. (Lake reference: Rowling has pulled herself up out of poverty ‘by her own bootstraps' we say.) Thoughts? Thanks for induldging me here, John! I am enjoying this conversation. Apologies for the grammar and potentially confusing train of thoughts.And from Vicky:Loving the theories and symbolism around the peas and fish! Just had a thought too re John quoting the Troubled blood scene. Robin calls mushy peas by a familiar term “Yorkshire caviar”. Caviar is of course fish eggs, and poor Robin, Yorkshire born, spends much of THM agonising over the thought and pressure of freezing her eggs. Giuliana mentioned the frozen peas Strike puts on his swollen face after the spade hit...maybe this is foreshadowing to their intimate and honest dinner conversation later with Robin baring her heart to Strike about her ectopic pregnancy griefQ2: Why didn't the Strike-Ellacott Agency or the Metropolitan Police figure out how the murderer entered the Ramsay Silver vault to kill William Wright the first time they saw the grainy surveillance film of the auction house crate deliveries?Tweet UrlFrom ‘The Locked Room Lecture' (John Dickson Carr) It's silly to be disappointed in a border-line absurd Locked Room Mystery such as Hallmarked Man because improbability is close to a requirement in such stories:“But this point must be made, because a few people who do not like the slightly lurid insist on treating their preferences as rules. They use, as a stamp of condemnation, the word ‘improbable.' And thereby they gull the unwary into their own belief that ‘improbable' simply means ‘bad.'“Now, it seems reasonable to point out that the word improbable is the very last which should ever be used to curse detective fiction in any case. A great part of our liking fofr detective fiction is based on a liking for improbability. When A is murdered, and B and C are under strong suspicion, it is improbably that the innocent-looking D can be guilty. But he is. If G has a perfect alibi, sworn to at every point by every other letter in the alphabet, it is improbable that G can have committed the crime. But he has. When the detective picks up a fleck of coal dust at the seashore, it is improbable that such an insignificant thing can have any importance. But it will. In short, you come to a point where the word improbable grows meaningless as a jeer. There can be no such thing as any probability until the end of the story. And then, if you wish the murder to be fastened on an unlikely person (as some of us old fogies do), you can hardly complain because he acted from motives less likely or necessarily less apparent than those of the person first suspected.“When the cry of ‘This-sort-of-thing-wouldn't-happen!' goes up, when you complain about half-faced fiends and hooded phantoms and blond hypnotic sirens, you are merely saying, ‘I don't like this sort of story.' That's fair enough. If you do not like it, you are howlingly right to say so. But when you twist this matter of taste into a rule for judging the merit or even the probability of the story, you are merely saying, ‘This series of events couldn't happen, because I shouldn't enjoy it if it did.'“What would seem to be the truth of the matter? We might test it out by taking the hermetically sealed chamber as an example, because this situation has been under a hotter fire than any other on the grounds of being unconvincing.“Most people, I am delighted to say, are fond of the locked room. But – here's the damned rub – even its friends are often dubious. I cheerfully admit that I frequently am. So, for the moment, we'll all side together on this score and see what we can discover. Why are we dubious when we hear the explanation of the locked room? Not in the least because we are incredulous, but simply because in some vague way we are disappointed. And from that feeling it is only natural to take an unfair step farther, and call the whole business incredible or impossible or flatly ridiculous.” (reprinted in The Art of the Mystery Story [Howard Haycraft] 273-286)Q3: Hallmarked Man is all about silver and Freemasonry. What is the historical connection between South American silver (‘Argentina' means ‘Land of Silver'), the end of European feudalism, and the secret brotherhood of the Masons?How Silver Flooded the World: And how that Replaced Feudalism and the Church with Capitalism and Nation-States (‘Uncharted Territories,' Tomas Pueyo) In Europe, silver also triggered the discovery of America, a technological explosion, and a runaway chain of events that replaced feudalism with capitalism and nation-states. If you understand this, you'll be able to understand why nation-states are threatened by cryptocurrencies today, and how their inevitable success will weaken nation-states. In this premium article, we're going to explore how Europe starved for silver, and how the reaction to this flooded the world with silver. ,See also Never Bet Against America and Argentina Could be a Superpower, both by Pueyo.‘Conspiracy Theories associated with Freemasonry' (Wikipedia)* That Freemasonry is a Jewish front for world domination or is at least controlled by Jews for this goal. An example of this is the anti-Semitic literary forgery The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Adolf Hitler believed that Freemasonry was a tool of Jewish influence,[12] and outlawed Freemasonry and persecuted Freemasons partially for this reason.[13] The covenant of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas claims that Freemasonry is a “secret society” founded as part of a Zionist plot to control the world.[14] Hilaire Belloc thought Jews had “inaugurated” freemasonry “as a bridge between themselves and their hosts”[15]* That Freemasonry is tied to or behind Communism. The Spanish dictator Francisco Franco had often associated his opposition with both Freemasonry and Communism, and saw the latter as a conspiracy of the former; as he put it, “The whole secret of the campaigns unleashed against Spain can be explained in two words: masonry and communism”.[16] In 1950, Irish Roman Catholic priest Denis Fahey republished a work by George F. Dillon under the title Grand Orient Freemasonry Unmasked as the Secret Power Behind Communism. Modern conspiracy theorists such as Henry Makow have also claimed that Freemasonry intends the triumph of Communism[17]* That Freemasons are behind income taxes in the US. One convicted tax protester has charged that law enforcement officials who surrounded his property in a standoff over his refusal to surrender after his conviction were part of a “Zionist, Illuminati, Free Mason [sic] movement”.[18] The New Hampshire Union Leader also reported that “the Browns believe the IRS and the federal income tax are part of a deliberate plot perpetrated by Freemasons to control the American people and eventually the world”[19]Umberto Eco's The Prague Cemetery, a Freemasonry Novel (Wikipedia)So much for the link between Freemasonry and Baphomet worship!‘The Desacralization of Work' (Roger Sworder, Mining, Metallurgy, and the Meaning of Life)Q4: Ian Griffiths is the Bad Guy of Hallmarked Man. His name has definite Christian overtones (a ‘Griffin,' being half-eagle, half-lion, King of Heaven and Earth, is a symbol of Christ); could it also be another pointer to Rowling's mysterious ‘Back Door Man,' Harry Bingham, author of the Fiona Griffiths series?Troubled Blood: The Acknowledgments (Nick Jeffery, November 2020)In both Silkworm and Career Rowling/Galbraith's military advisors are thanked as SOBE (Sean Harris OBE?) Deeby (Di Brookes?) and the Back Door Man. Professor Granger has identified the Back Door Man as a southern US slang term for a man having an illicit relationship, but beyond this is so far unidentified.Any thoughts on her dedications or acknowledgements? Any new leads for the elusive Back Door Man? Please comment down below.Harry Bingham's website, June 2012“My path into TALKING TO THE DEAD was a curious one. I was approached by a well-known figure who was contemplating working with a ghostwriter on a crime thriller. I hadn't read any crime for a long time, but was intrigued by the project. So I went out and bought about two dozen crime novels, then read them back-to-back over about two weeks.”Could Rowling have hired a (gasp) “ghost writer”? Or was it just “expert editorial assistance” she was looking for, what Bingham offers today?Author's Notes in The Strange Death of Fiona Grifiths (Publication date 29th January 2015, before Career of Evil):“If you want to buy a voice activated bugging device that looks like (and is) an ordinary power socket, it'll set you back about fifty pounds (about eighty bucks).”This is the same surveillance device used in Lethal White, but interestingly is not used in Bingham's book. (Nick Jeffery)Moderators Backchannel List of Correspondences between Cormoran Strike series and Bingham's Fiona Griffiths mystery-thrillers (John Granger):(1) A series that has an overarching mystery about which we get clues in every story, one linked to a secret involving a parent who is well known but whose real life is a mystery even to their families;(2) A series that is preoccupied with psychological issues, especially those of the brilliant woman protagonist who suffers from a mental illness and who is a student of psychology;(3) A series that is absorbed with death and populated by the dead who have not yet passed on and who influence the direction of the investigation more or less covertly (”I think we have just one world, a continuum, one populated by living and dead alike,” 92, This Thing of Darkness), a psychic and spiritual realm book that rarely touches on formal religion (Dead House and Deepest Grave excepted, sort of);(4) A series that, while being a police procedural because the detective is a police officer, is largely about how said sergeant works around, even against the hierarchy of department authority and decision makers, “with police help but largely as an independent agent;”(5) A series that makes glancing references to texts that will jar Rowling Readers: “All shall be well” (284, Love Story with Murders), she drives a high heel into a creepy guy's foot when he comes up to her from behind (75, This Thing of Darkness), Clerkenwell! (103, The Dead House), a cave opening cathedral-like onto a lake, the heroine enters with a mentor, blood spilled at the entrance, and featuring a remarkable escape (chapter 34, The Dead House), etc, especially the Robin-Fiona parallels....(6) A series starring a female protagonist who works brilliantly undercover, whose story is about recovery from a trauma experienced when she was a college student, who struggles mostly with her romantic relationships with men, a struggle that is a combination of her mental health-recovery progress (or lack of same) and her vocation as a detective, who is skilled in the martial art of self-defense, and who is from a world outside London, an ethnicity and home fostering, of all things, a love of sheep;(7) A series with a love of the mythological or at least the non-modern (King Arthur! Anchorites!)Q5: Can you help us out with some UK inside jokes or cultural references of which we colonists can only guess the meaning? Start with Gateshead, Pit Ponies, and Council Flats and Bed-Sits!* Gateshead (Wikipedia)J. B. Priestley, writing of Gateshead in his 1934 travelogue English Journey, said that “no true civilisation could have produced such a town”, adding that it appeared to have been designed “by an enemy of the human race”.* Pit Ponies (Wikipedia)Larger horses, such as varieties of Cleveland Bay, could be used on higher underground roadways, but on many duties small ponies no more than 12 hands (48 inches, 122 cm) high were needed. Shetlands were a breed commonly used because of their small size, but Welsh, Russian, Devonshire (Dartmoor) and Cornish ponies also saw extensive use in England.[2] In the interwar period, ponies were imported into Britain from the Faroe Islands, Iceland and the United States. Geldings and stallions only were used. Donkeys were also used in the late 19th century, and in the United States, large numbers of mules were used.[6] Regardless of breed, typical mining ponies were low set, heavy bodied and heavy limbed with plenty of bone and substance, low-headed and sure-footed. Under the British Coal Mines Act 1911 (1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 50), ponies had to be four years old and work ready (shod and vet checked) before going underground.[15] They could work until their twenties.At the peak of this practice in 1913, there were 70,000 ponies underground in Britain.In shaft mines, ponies were normally stabled underground[16] and fed on a diet with a high proportion of chopped hay and maize, coming to the surface only during the colliery's annual holiday.* Council Flats (Wikipedia)Q6: What are Rowling Readers to think of Robin's dream in chapter 22 (174 )when she's sleeping next to Murphy but dreaming of being at Ramsay's Silver with Strike and the showroom is filled with “cuddly toys instead of masonic swords and aprons”?* ‘Harry's Dreams:' Steve Vander Ark, Harry Potter LexiconQ7: The first bad news phone call that Robin takes from her mother Linda in Hallmarked Man is about the death of Rowntree. What is the connection between Robin's beloved Chocolate Labrador, Quakers, and Rowling's Golden Thread about ‘What is Real'?‘Troubled Blood: Poisoned Chocolates' (John Granger, 2021)‘Troubled Blood: The Secret of Rowntree' (John Granger, 2021)I explained in ‘Deathly Hallows and Penn's Fruits of Solitude‘ why Penn's quotation is a key to the Hogwarts Saga finale, how, in brief, the “inner light” doctrines of the Quakers and of non-conformist esoteric Christianity in general inform the story of Harry's ultimate victory in Dobby's grave over doubt and his subsequent ‘win' in his battle against death and the Dark Lord. I urge you to read that long post, one of the most important, I think, ever posted at HogwartsProfessor, for an idea of how central to Rowling's Christian faith the tenets of Quakerism really are as well as how this shows itself in Deathly Hallows.What makes the historical chocolate connection with the Quakers, one strongly affirmed in naming the Ellacott dog ‘Rowntree,' that much more interesting then is the easy segue from the “inner light” beliefs of the Christian non-conformists to the effect of chocolate on characters in Rowling and Galbraith novels. The conscience of man per the Quakers are our logos within that is continuous with the Logos fabric of reality, the Word that brings all things into existence and the light that is in every man (cf., the Prologue to St John's Gospel). Our inner peace and fellowship, in this view, depend on our identification with this transpersonal “inner light” rather than our ephemeral ego concerns.What is the sure way to recover from a Dementor attack, in which your worst nightmares are revisited? How does Robin deal with stress and the blues? Eat some chocolate, preferably a huge bar from Honeydukes or a chocolate brownie if you cannot get to Hogsmead.Access, in other words, the Quaker spiritual magic, the “inner light” peace of communion with what is Absolute and transcendent, a psychological effect exteriorized in story form by Rowling as the good feeling we have in eating chocolate. Or in the companionship and unconditional love of a beloved Labrador, preferably a chocolate Lab.Christmas Pig: The Blue Bunny' (John Granger, 2021)“Do you just want to live in nice houses?” asked Blue Bunny. “Or is there another reason you want to get in?”“Yes,” said Jack, before the Christmas Pig could stop him. “Somebody I need's in there. He's called DP and he's my favorite cuddly toy.”For a long moment, Jack and Blue Bunny stared into each other's eyes and then Blue Bunny let out a long sigh of amazement.“You're a boy,” he whispered. “You're real.”“He isn't,” said the panic-stricken Christmas Pig. “He's an action figure called—”“It's all right, Pig,” said Blue Bunny, “I won't tell anybody, I promise. You really came all the way into the Land of the Lost to find your favorite toy?” he asked Jack, who nodded.“Then I'll be your decoy,” said Blue Bunny. “It would be an honor” (169).The Bunny's recognition here of Jack as a messiah, sacrificial love incarnate, having descended into existence as a Thing himself from Up There where he was a source of the love that “alivens” objects, is one of, if not the most moving event in Christmas Pig. Note the words he uses: “You're real.”Rowling has used the word “real” twice before as a marker of reality transcending what we experience in conventional time and space, the sensible world. The first was in what she described as the “key” to the Harry Potter series, “lines I waited seventeen years to write” (Cruz), the end of the Potter-Dumbledore dialogue at King's Cross….In a Troubled Blood passage meant to echo that dialogue, with “head” and “backside” reflecting the characters inverted grasp of “reality,” Robin and Strike talk astrology:“You're being affected!” she said. “Everyone knows their star sign. Don't pretend to be above it.”Strike grinned reluctantly, took a large drag on his cigarette, exhaled, then said, “Sagittarius, Scorpio rising, with the sun in the first house.”“You're –” Robin began to laugh. “Did you just pull that out of your backside, or is it real?”“Of course, it's not f*****g real,” said Strike. “None of it's real, is it?” (Blood 242, highlighting in original).The Bunny's simple declaration, “You're real,” i.e., “from Up There,” the greater reality of the Land of the Living in which Things have their awakening in the love of their owners, clarifies these other usages. Dumbledore shares his wisdom with Harry that the maternal love which saved him, first at Godric's Hollow and then in the Forest, is the metaphysical sub-stance beneath, behind, and within all other reality. Strike gives Robin a dose of his skeptical ignorance and nominalist first principle that nothing is real but surface appearance subject to measurement and physical sensation, mental grasp of all things being consequent to that.Christmas Pig‘s “real” moment acts as a key to these others, one evident in the Bunny's response to the revelation of Jack's greater ontological status. He does a Dobby, offering to die for Jack as Jack has done in his descent into the Land of the Lost for DP, a surrender of self to near certain death in being given to the Loser he considers an “honor.” He acts spontaneously and selflessly as a “decoy,” a saving replacement in other words, for the “living boy” as Dobby did for the “Boy Who Lived.” The pathetic distraction that saved the DP rescue mission in Mislaid despite himself, crying out in desperation for his own existence, has metamorphized consequent to his experience with Broken Angel and in Jack's example, into a heroic decoy that allows Jack and CP to enter the City of the Missed.The Blue Bunny makes out better than the House-elf, too, and this is the key event of the book and the best evidence since the death of Lily Potter, Harry's defeat of Quirrell, and the demise of the Dark Lord that mother's love is Rowling's default symbolism for Christian love in her writing. The Bunny's choice to act as decoy, his decision to die to his ego-self, generates the life saving appearance of maternal love and its equivalent in the transference attachment a child feels for a beloved toy. The Johannine quality of the light that shines down on him from the Finding Hole and his Elijah-esque elevation nails down the Logos­-love correspondence.EC: All through Hallmarked Man Robin is saying to herself, “I think I love Ryan, no, really, I know I love him…,” which of course is Rowling's way of signaling the conflict this character has in her feelings for Strike and for Murphy. What is that about?* See ‘The Hallmarked Man's Mythological Template' for discussion of the Anteros/Eros distinction in the myth of Cupid and Psyche as well as the Strike-Ellacott novels Get full access to Hogwarts Professor at hogwartsprofessor.substack.com/subscribe

The government's major restructuring of local government will be a formidable challenge for local officials and political leaders in 164 district councils across 21 English county areas and 19 small neighbouring unitary authorities. For local government reorganisation to truly act as a catalyst for local public service reform, as envisaged by central government, services currently delivered by outgoing district councils – like waste collection and housing – will need to be merged and delivered from day one of the new unitary authorities' existence.   This means harmonising service provision, staff terms and conditions, establishing new management structures and resolving issues such as incompatible ICT systems, culture clashes between teams and overcome incompatible business processes.   What are the challenges and options facing local district council leaders? How long does it take to merge these services? What are the risks and opportunities? What have been the greatest barriers to successful transformation in earlier rounds of local government reorganisation? And what structures and service delivery options are available to the new unitary authorities?   To answer these questions and more, this IfG event brought together an expert panel, including:   Professor John Denham, Research Fellow and Director of the Centre for English Identity and Politics at the University of Southampton Liz Elliott, Deputy Chief Executive – Transformation at Harborough District Council Justin Galliford, Chief Executive at Norse Group Rachel Joyce, Assistant Chief Executive – Local Engagement at North Yorkshire Council   The event was chaired by Dr Matthew Fright, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government.   We would like to thank Norse Group for kindly supporting this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the prime ministers facing awkward questions over the collapse of the Chinese spy case, the Guardian's Gaby Hinsliff joins the podcast team to explore the row and what it says about the UK's relations with Beijing. Local authorities provide services that everybody relies on, but the findings of a new IfG report into the state of local government finances and services makes for some eye-watering reading. We dig into the detail. Plus: A big week for the government's standards and ethics regime! Goodbye ACOBA, and hello Ethics and Integrity Commission. So how will this all work? Hannah White presents, with Stuart Hoddinott, Amber Dellar and Tim Durrant. Produced by Milo Hynes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

durée : 00:58:38 - Cultures Monde - par : Julie Gacon, Mélanie Chalandon - Source de fierté nationale, promesse de développement, plus grande centrale électrique du continent africain, le Grand barrage de la Renaissance éthiopienne nourrit les ambitions politiques du régime éthiopien. - réalisation : Vivian Lecuivre - invités : Wahel Rashid Doctorant à l'Institut Français de Géopolitique (IFG); Mehdi Labzaé Sociologue et politiste spécialiste de l'Ethiopie

On this episode of Two Fat Guys Eat, Sean and Colin discuss their thoughts on Quad State Cheese Fest, an IFG sponsored event in Boonsboro, MD! They discuss the vats of alcohol you can purchase, the merits of having live music in an outdoor venue and how there was a distinct lack of cheesemakers represented at this event. Our subject from this episode is the Quad State Cheese Fest in Boonsboro, Maryland - https://www.ifg-events.com/quadstatec... Show Theme: "Two Fat Guys Eat" by Derek Schiable - https://www.metrolabmusic.com/ Check out some of the vendors we name-drop in this episode: Deliteful Dairy - https://www.delitefuldairy.com/ Moo-Cow Creamery at Walnut Ridge Farm - https://www.moocowcreameryllc.com/ Blackout Nuts and Pretzels -   / blackoutnutsandpretzels  

The gloves are off. And it's a fight for the soul of our country. So says Keir Starmer. So how is he planning to win it? Sophie Stowers of More in Common joins the IfG podcast team for instant reaction to the Prime Minister's speech in Liverpool - which features praise for the swagger of Oasis - and expert analysis of the Labour Party conference. So what does Starmer's speech say about his Nigel Farage strategy? Did the PM give any clues about the upcoming budget? And has Andy Burnham overplayed his hand? Plus: What is going to be the big story at the Conservative Party conference? Hannah White presents. With Alex Thomas and Catherine Haddon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Labour is heading back to Liverpool for its annual conference, so what does Keir Starmer need to do to lift the party's spirits and get some momentum behind his government? Former Number 10 adviser Tom Webb joins the podcast team to preview a massive couple of days for the prime minister and his team. The November budget will loom large over Liverpool – so how might the chancellor approach the tricky question of raising taxes? A new IfG report has the answers. Plus: The Liberal Democrat conference saw Ed Davey say a lot about Nigel Farage – but what did we actually learn about where the UK's third party is trying to position itself?   Presented by Hannah White. With Tom Pope and Jill Rutter. Produced by Milo Hynes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The former deputy prime minister, in his only fringe event at this year's Liberal Democrat conference, spoke to IfG director Hannah White about Keir Starmer's Donald Trump strategy, Elon Musk's interventions in British politics, the AI challenge, and how centre left parties can fight back against the rise of populism.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The former deputy prime minister, in his only fringe event at this year's Liberal Democrat conference, spoke to IfG director Hannah White about Keir Starmer's Donald Trump strategy, Elon Musk's interventions in British politics, the AI challenge, and how centre left parties can fight back against the rise of populism.

Von Michael Nikbakhsh. Die 225. Ausgabe ist eine Gemeinschaftsproduktion mit dem Politik-Podcast "Ganz Offen Gesagt" und Stefan Lassnig. Wir sprechen mit dem Anti-Korruptions- und Transparenz-Experten Mathias Huter, er ist unter anderem Vorstand des Vereins Forum Informationsfreiheit, der die Plattform "FragDenStaat" (www.fragdenstaat.at) betreibt. Das Forum Informationsfreiheit hatte zugleich maßgeblichen Anteil daran, dass es nunmehr ein Informationsfreiheitsgesetz gibt, das staatliche Stellen zu mehr Transparenz gegenüber Bürgerinnen und Bürger verpflichtet. Aber was genau können wir nunmehr erfahren, das bisher verborgen blieb? Welche Stärken und Schwächen hat das neue Gesetz und wie kommt man eigentlich an all diese Informationen? // Die Dunkelkammer ist ein Stück Pressefreiheit.  Unabhängigen Journalismus kannst Du mit einer Mitgliedschaft via Steady unterstützen https://steady.page/de/die-dunkelkammer/about Vielen Dank! Michael Nikbakhsh im Namen des Dunkelkammer-Teams 

At this year's local elections, the Reform Party secured outright majorities in 10 local authorities and won two metro mayor contests.   As its local leaders make the transition from opposition to government, what skills will they need to be successful? What are the trade-offs they will have to make? How should they design and deliver policy? And how should they work with the Labour government in Westminster to deliver for voters locally?   Speakers:    Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government (chair) Cllr Linden Kemkaran, Leader of Kent County Council & County Councillor for Maidstone Southeast Akash Paun, Programme Director (Devolution) at the Institute for Government Gawain Towler, former Head of Press for Reform UK   This event was an IfG fringe event held at the Reform UK Party Conference 2025 in Birmingham. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At this year's local elections, the Reform Party secured outright majorities in 10 local authorities and won two metro mayor contests. As its local leaders make the transition from opposition to government, what skills will they need to be successful? What are the trade-offs they will have to make? How should they design and deliver policy? And how should they work with the Labour government in Westminster to deliver for voters locally? Listen to the IfG's fringe event at the Reform UK Party Conference 2025. Speakers: Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO, Institute for Government (chair) Cllr Linden Kemkaran, Leader of Kent County Council & County Councillor for Maidstone Southeast Akash Paun, Programme Director (Devolution), Institute for Government Gawain Towler, Former Head of Press, Reform UK

Phase one is complete. Phase two begins. And it's all about delivery. But just how hard is it for governments to do the delivery bit of governing? The IfG podcast team give their expert view.   Civil servants are key to making a success of the government's policies and priorities - perhaps none more so than the high flying fast stream. But who are they - and is this cohort doing a good job? A new IfG report reveals all.   Plus: Reform Party conference preview – we speak to former Reform head of press Gawain Towler.   Catherine Haddon presents. With Hannah Keenan, Rebecca McKee and Teodor Grama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Freedom of Information (FoI) Act – which was passed 25 years ago and came into force five years later – created a legal right for citizens to request information from public authorities. This was a radical shift in the government's approach to information and a significant step towards a more open culture of government. FoI was designed to generate more transparency and to tackle perceived secrecy in government, and it has been a vital tool for journalists, researchers and private citizens alike. However, some politicians have been critical of the burden that FoI requests create, and there are outstanding questions about how the FoI system can be more effective. With FoI requests more than tripling since it was introduced in 2005, this IfG event assessed the state of FoI on its double anniversary – and explored, through a series of proposals and an expert panel discussion, how the system can be improved.  To pitch their proposals for the future of Freedom of Information, the IfG was joined by Jenna Corderoy, Investigative reporter at Democracy for Sale Dr Louise Crow, Chief Executive of mySociety Dr Ben Worthy, Lecturer at Birkbeck University And to discuss the proposals and the FoI system more broadly: John Edwards, Information Commissioner Lord Charlie Falconer, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor (2003–07) Lynn Wyeth, Executive Board Member of the Campaign for Freedom of Information, and Executive Board Member of The National Association of Data Protection and Freedom of Information Officers (NADPO)  The event was chaired by Gavin Freeguard, Associate of the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

L'Allemagne, la France et le Royaume-Uni ont déclenché le « snapback » contre contre l'Iran le 28 août. « Le snapback », c'est le nom de cet outil diplomatique qui ouvre la possibilité de rétablir des sanctions onusiennes. Celles-là mêmes qui avaient été levées par l'accord de 2015 sur le nucléaire iranien. Pourquoi brandir cette menace maintenant ? Que va-t-il se passer ? Des négociations sont-elles encore possibles ? Quelles peuvent être les conséquences pour l'Iran ?  Avec :  Héloïse Fayet, chercheuse à l'Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri) et chercheuse associée à l'Institut français de géopolitique (IFG) spécialiste des questions nucléaires Kevan Gafaïti, enseignant à Sciences Po Paris, chercheur au centre Thucydide de l'Université Panthéon-Assas, auteur de La crise du détroit d'Ormuz de 2018 : une victoire iranienne sur les États-Unis (Harmattan) À lire aussiRafael Mariano Grossi, AIEA : « L'important pour nous c'est de recommencer notre travail d'inspection » en Iran

Are you holding back some parts of your life from the L-rd? Are you able to hear from G-d, and act on what He says? Join guest speaker Rabbi Shawn Moir of Congregation Baruch HaShem in Dallas, Texas, as he challenges us to look within and see what facets of our lives are closed off to the L-rd's input, and how we can actively be an example for G-d even to those who oppose us. If G-d is leading us towards something that is difficult or intimidating to tackle, we must nonetheless heed His call, and He will have our backs through it all. This message is developmental!Acts 9.1-16Prayer Requests or send an email to info@bethhallel.orgCBH WebsiteDonateYouTube Channel

In dieser Episode spreche ich mit Michael Schulze über die Herausforderungen der Meinungsbildung und die Schwierigkeiten in der Kommunikation mit politischen und administrativen Akteuren. Michael, der über sieben Jahre lang Presseanfragen gestellt hat, hat in dieser Zeit etwa 2000 Anfragen mit insgesamt mehreren tausend Einzelfragen versendet. Er teilt seine Erfahrungen über die oft fehlenden Antworten von Politikern und Verwaltungseinrichtungen und beleuchtet die Bedeutung des Pressegesetzes NRW, das Behördenseiten und Politiker dazu verpflichtet, Auskunft zu geben.

The party conference countdown has begun, and the Westminster Village is set to decamp to Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bournemouth and beyond.   But what this the point of the party conference jamboree?  What is it really like to spend four days locked inside a windowless conference centre and take yp residence at t a hotel bar? How do civil servants manage this temporary Westminster exodus? And does it really make any difference at all?   Join the IfG on another trip to the Inside Briefing vault, as we dig out a fascinating episode that we recorded in 2022 with political journalist and party conference veteran Michael Crick, journalist and author Marie Le Conte, former special adviser Peter Cardwell, and the IfG's very own Jill Rutter.    Presented by Alex Thomas and Hannah White. Produced by Candice McKenzie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yasmin Omar, Tarjinder Gill and Lucy Trimnell discuss the latest report highlighting the under performance of white disadvantaged students in exams.  Parts of the country where disadvantaged pupils perform worse at school are more likely to have large populations of poor white children, a new report suggests. The Institute for Government (IfG) think tank finds that disadvantaged white pupils in England have “particularly poor educational outcomes”. An analysis by the IfG looks at the “high impact” group of pupils - those for whom disadvantage disproportionately affects their performance - which it says is made up mostly of white British pupils.

Being a minister is a job like no other. No briefing, no training and, sometimes, no warning – from day one a new minister could find themselves making high-stakes decisions with huge consequences for the country.   So getting some advice from people that have been a minister can be useful – and the IfG's Ministers Reflect series is the place to start.   Over the past 10 years, the Institute for Government has interviewed more than 170 former ministers from the UK and devolved governments about their time in office   To mark the 10th anniversary of Ministers Reflect, this special edition of Inside Briefing, featuring guests  including Jeremy Hunt, Una O'Brien and Marie Le Conte, takes a look at what former ministers have told us in the last decade. Essential listening for anyone wanting to understanding what it is like to be a minister – and especially for anyone who might want to become one.   Presented by Sachin Savur and Paddy McAlary Produced by Candice McKenzie Additional recordings by Milo Hynes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kemi Badenoch has completed one. Keir Starmer is rumoured to be lining one up.  Yes reshuffles, or rumours of ministerial reshuffles, are never far away in Westminster.   So what should ministers fear? What should the prime minister avoid? When do reshuffles go right? And why do they sometimes go wrong?    With special guests Cleo Watson and Helen Macnamara, who have had front row seats alongside prime ministers for countless reshuffles, this special Inside Briefing episode takes you behind the No10 front door to reveal the inside story of one of Westminster's favourite – and most feared – events.   Presented by Cath Haddon. With Tim Durrant.   Produced by Milo Hynes.   Cleo Watson is a former special adviser to Boris Johnson.  Helen MacNamara was Director General of Propriety and Ethics and then Deputy Cabinet Secretary . Tim Durrant leads the IfG's ministers work.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Labour fought the 2024 general election on a manifesto which promised “a new way of doing government” – one built on the concept of mission-driven government. But how much has this government's decisions, trade-offs and policy priorities really been shaped by its five missions? And how far have they been able to make progress on their priorities in the first year?   To mark the first year of Keir Starmer becoming prime minister, the Institute for Government and the Institute for Fiscal Studies hosted a joint event to explore what progress the government has made and whether Starmer's government is really doing things differently to its predecessors.   Are the government's missions realistic or do they lack ambition? Have Rachel Reeves' tax and spending choices supported or hindered mission delivery? What did the spending review reveal about the government's priorities? How could government be better structured – and decisions made – in a way that is more mission-driven? And one year on since the general election, can the government really say it is governing in a “new way”?   To explore these questions and more, the IfG and IFS brought together an expert panel featuring:   Stephen Bush, Associate Editor and columnist at the Financial Times Helen Miller, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government   The event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Labour fought the 2024 general election on a manifesto which promised “a new way of doing government” – one built on the concept of mission-driven government. But how much has this government's decisions, trade-offs and policy priorities really been shaped by its five missions? And how far have they been able to make progress on their priorities in the first year? To mark the first year of Keir Starmer becoming prime minister, the Institute for Government and the Institute for Fiscal Studies hosted a joint event to explore what progress the government has made and whether Starmer's government is really doing things differently to its predecessors. Are the government's missions realistic or do they lack ambition? Have Rachel Reeves' tax and spending choices supported or hindered mission delivery? What did the spending review reveal about the government's priorities? How could government be better structured – and decisions made – in a way that is more mission-driven? And one year on since the general election, can the government really say it is governing in a “new way”? To explore these questions and more, the IfG and IFS brought together an expert panel featuring: Stephen Bush, Associate Editor and columnist at the Financial Times Helen Miller, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government The event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

The government's controversial plans to cut the welfare budget have caused serious disquiet on the Labour benches. Luke Sullivan, former political director to Keir Starmer, joins the IfG podcast to explore how serious a problem this is for Keir Starmer - and how the government got itself into this situation.It isn't just Labour MPs that are giving No10 a headache. Apparently civil servants are too - because No10 has issued new guidance demanding that civil servants no longer speak on panels at public events. So what's the thinking behind this heavy handed approach - and does it add up?  Presented by Cath Haddon With Alex Thomas and Tim Durrant. Produced by Candice McKenzie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wilma Modig är IF-Göta löparen som skördat stora framgångar den senaste månaden. Efter ett SM-silver på halvmaraton sprang hon till sig ett guld i blott sitt andra maraton några veckor senare i samband med Stockholm Marathon. Vägen till dessa framgångar görs mer imponerande av det faktum att Wilma satsat helhjärtat på löpning i mindre än ett år. Med en bakgrund som duktig fotbollsspelare och senare triatlet valde Wilma att ta ett sabbatsår från triatlon för att förbättra sig som löpare. Framgångarna följde snabbt med mer specifik träning. Wilma berättar om loppen, träningen, hur hon använder sig av "festis" under maraton och vad målen är framöver.  Björn Ferry är en av våra främsta skidskyttar genom tiderna med bland annat OS-guld och flertalet VM-medaljer. Efter pensioneringen från sporten 2014 har Björn mest tränat för hälsans skull. När han vid ett läger tillsammans med skidskyttelandslaget lyfte frågan om vem som skulle vinna över 10K löpning mellan han själv och Sveriges just nu främste skidskytt Sebastian Samuelsson växte ett vad snabbt fram. Med 1000 euro i potten ställer sig Björn nu på startlinen mot 19 år yngre Sebastian för att se vem den snabbaste skidskytten faktiskt är. Björn berättar om den korta men intensiva träningsperioden, hur han ska bräcka sin yngre konkurrent och hur det är att tränas av AI.  Manne har ytterligare en fin träningsvecka i bagaget och gör sig redo för Trosa Stadslopp. John har gått en omgång med njursten.  Veckans Sponsorer: Saucony och Nomio.  Följ med på vår träningsresa tillsammans med Apollo 1-8 December. Länk till info och bokning: Löparresan

durée : 00:58:12 - Cultures Monde - par : Julie Gacon, Mélanie Chalandon - Grâce aux eaux du Nil, une vaste zone agricole s'est développée dans le delta, devenu le poumon économique du pays. Mais face aux besoins d'une population croissante, les politiques actuelles visent à étendre les activités agricoles vers les zones désertiques en acheminant les eaux du fleuve. - réalisation : Cassandre Puel - invités : Delphine Acloque Docteure en géographie, chargée de mission au Centre d'études et de prospective (CEP) du Ministère de l'Agriculture et de la Souveraineté Alimentaire à Paris; Wahel Rashid Doctorant à l'Institut Français de Géopolitique (IFG); Florian Bonnefoi Docteur en géographie, chercheur post doctorant au Centre d'études et de documentation économiques, juridiques et sociales au Soudan (CEDEJ) de Khartoum, relocalisé au Caire

To conclude the IfG's conference on the Nolan Principles, our panel will discuss the impact of the Nolan Principles in public life today. How have they changed the standards landscape in the UK? What do the public think about standards in public life? How useful are standards and principles to leaders in government? And how can a strong standards system support a government's wider objectives?    Speakers:    Doug Chalmers, chair, Committee on Standards in Public Life Chris Morris, CEO, Full Fact Sachin Savur, researcher, Institute for Government Rowena Mason, Whitehall Editor at the Guardian   This session was chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With conflict in the Middle East is dominating the headlines, the New Statesman's Rachel Cunliffe joins the podcast team to explore Keir Starmer's attempts to influence Donald Trump and ask whether the UK has a role to play beyond that of a concerned bystander.   There is plenty of domestic politics around too, with the prime minister announcing an inquiry into grooming gangs - having said, only a few months ago, that he wouldn't – and the government trying to face down a rebellion over its welfare budget cuts.   Plus: John Major at the IfG and what comes next for government standards and ethics.   Presented by Hannah White.   With Catherine Haddon.   Produced by Candice McKenzie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was part of the IfG's conference on the The Nolan Principles at 30: What does the future hold for standards in public life?

To reflect on the topics raised during our conference on the Nolan Principles, the IfG and CSPL convened small group discussions to talk through more specific questions: What are the emerging threats and opportunities in the standards landscape? How do politics and partisanship affect the way standards are perceived? What does ethical public service leadership look like? Those joining online were able to take part in a webinar discussion on the same topics. A panel of IfG and CSPL staff reported back on the themes raised in the discussions.

Chaired by Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government. This event was part of the IfG's conference on the The Nolan Principles at 30: What does the future hold for standards in public life?

In 1995, the prime minister's ethics adviser Lord Nolan set out the Seven Principles of Public Life. Since then, the Nolan Principles have been the basis for the ethical standards expected of those working in the public sector, from the prime minister to civil servants to police officers – but from the expenses scandal to 'partygate', and ethical failings in the NHS, police forces and local government, standards in public life have been repeatedly under scrutiny over the last 30 years. So how have the Nolan Principles shaped public life over the last 30 years? What do ethical standards mean for the way frontline officials interact with the public? How might emerging trends like technology help or hinder public office-holders to act ethically? And as faith in politics falls and public debate coarsens, how can politicians uphold high standards of behaviour? To mark the 30th anniversary of the Nolan Principles, and to explore how ethical standards can be upheld in the future, the IfG will bring together a series of expert panels and keynote speakers – including former prime minister The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH – for a thought-provoking and stimulating one-day conference. This recording includes an introduction from Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the IfG, and Doug Chalmers, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life Keynote speech: Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH. Chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the IfG.

Chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was part of the IfG's conference on the The Nolan Principles at 30: What does the future hold for standards in public life?

durée : 00:05:02 - La Revue de presse internationale - par : Catherine Duthu - De la Russie au Paraguay, en passant par les Etats-Unis, des fermes de minage de cryptomonnaie s'installent dans des pays où l'électricité est peu chère, avec une connexion Internet stable. Les ventilateurs qui refroidissent les centres de données fonctionnent 24h/24 : énergivores et bruyants. - invités : Hugo Estecahandy Chercheur GEODE et doctorant à l'institut français de géopolitique (IFG)

Join IfG experts for instant analysis of the 2025 spending review – a critical moment for Keir Starmer's government. Were the spending allocations sufficient to improve public services, deliver growth and make progress on the government's other missions? Which departments will be pleased – and which lost out? And did this multi-year spending review reveal a coherent strategy for the government over the next few years?   To answer these questions and more, IfG experts convened shortly after the chancellor's announcement to provide their initial analysis.   The webinar was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government, with a panel including: Nick Davies, Programme Director for Public Services at the Institute for Government Ben Paxton, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2025 spending review on 11 June is a critical moment for Keir Starmer's government. Almost a year since Labour's general election victory, Rachel Reeves will set budgets for departments up to 2028/29 – which will cover most of the rest of the parliament. But the chancellor is facing difficult choices – and her decisions will reveal a great deal about this government's priorities. Will the spending allocations be sufficient to improve public services, deliver growth and make progress on the government's other missions? Which departments will be pleased – and which will lose out? And will this multi-year spending review reveal a coherent strategy for the government over the next few years? To answer these questions and more, IfG experts convened shortly after the chancellor's announcement to provide their initial analysis. The webinar was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government, with a panel including: Nick Davies, Programme Director for Public Services at the Institute for Government Ben Paxton, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government

Keir Starmer has signed off on a so-called UK/EU reset. So, what's in the new deal and what does it mean for the never-ending Brexit drama? The Guardian's Kiran Stacey joins the podcast team to dig into the detail.   Davie Gauke has been uncorked. So, what is in his review of prison sentencing? The team dig into his recommendations and give their verdict.   Plus: Nick Clegg is back! The former deputy prime minister returned to the British political stage with a big speech at the IfG this week - and he also sat down for an exclusive interview for Inside Briefing. So, is it time to reevaluate the coalition?   Presented by Jill Rutter. With Giles Wilkes and Cassia Rowland  Produced by Candice McKenzie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The former deputy prime minister set out what this and future governments can learn from the 2010–15 coalition government. To mark the 15th anniversary of the creation of the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition in 2010, the IfG was pleased to welcome the Rt Hon Sir Nick Clegg to reflect on the 2010-15 government and the lessons for today's politics. Following his speech, Sir Nick was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government, and took part in an audience Q&A.

On this week's Modern Retail Podcast, senior reporters Melissa Daniels and Gabriela Barkho discuss the acquisition of sanitizer brand Touchland. The startup was bought by Church & Dwight, the personal care group that owns Nair and Arm & Hammer, in an $880 million deal. The staff also discusses the rise and fall of Target in the past couple of years, with the retailer marred by pullback in consumer spending and boycotts. In this episode, Daniels and Barkho also welcome Michelle Gabe (18:40), the director of marketing and partnerships at IFG, the parent company of King's Hawaiian, Grillo's Pickles, and Killer Brownie. Gabe joins the show to discuss what goes into brands' collaborations with entertainment franchises and other pop culture moments, especially in film and television. The trend was kicked into high gear during 2023's summer of “Barbie,” when brands of all sizes went pink. Last year, a similar wave was brought on by the “Wicked” movie. Even prestige TV series are getting in on product tie-ins through brand collaborations, as this past season of “White Lotus” showed. During her previous role at truffle sauce startup Truff, Gabe helped bring these types of partnerships to life, such as a collectibles collaboration with the “Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which garnered a waitlist of 20,000. Here is what she had to say about the best way to approach major IP tie-ins.

In contrast to the halting approach to reform from the current UK government, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have moved fast to slash staff and programmes. That has led some of those frustrated with the slow pace of government reform in the UK and elsewhere to see DOGE as a model for radical reformers. But what are the actual benefits – and costs – of the Trump administration approach? Is there anything to be learnt from DOGE, or is the whole approach misconceived? And what is the better, feasible model for reformers who want to deliver change at rapid pace while avoiding the DOGE template? To explore these questions and more, the IfG was pleased to bring together an expert panel featuring: Munira Mirza, former Director of the No.10 Policy Unit Don Moynihan, Professor of Public Policy, Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan Jeni Tennison, founder and Executive Director of Connected by Data Alex Thomas, Civil Service Programme Director at the Institute for Government The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.

This special event considered the recommendations of the Institute's 2024 Commission on the Centre of Government in light of our analysis of the Labour government's first year in office and the prime minister's agenda to reform public services and rewire the state. The Chair of the Institute, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, spok on government reform and the civil service – offering his valedictory reflections as he steps down from the role this summer. Lord Sainsbury's speech was followed by a presentation of the Institute's key recommendations on civil service reform, discussion with a panel of senior IfG staff and incoming IfG Chair Sir Ian Cheshire, and audience questions. This important event highlighted the relevance of the Institute's existing research to the government's vital reform agenda and previewed our future research plans. Welcome and opening remarks Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government Speech Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Government Q&A Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Government Sir Ian Cheshire, Deputy Chair of the Board at the Institute for Government Presentation Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Panel discussion Sir Jonathan Jones KCB KC (Hon), Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government Alex Thomas, Programme Director for the civil service at the Institute for Government Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government This panel was chaired by Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

This special event considered the recommendations of the Institute's 2024 Commission on the Centre of Government in light of our analysis of the Labour government's first year in office and the prime minister's agenda to reform public services and rewire the state. The Chair of the Institute, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, spok on government reform and the civil service – offering his valedictory reflections as he steps down from the role this summer. Lord Sainsbury's speech was followed by a presentation of the Institute's key recommendations on civil service reform, discussion with a panel of senior IfG staff and incoming IfG Chair Sir Ian Cheshire, and audience questions. This important event highlighted the relevance of the Institute's existing research to the government's vital reform agenda and previewed our future research plans. Welcome and opening remarks Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government Speech Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Government Q&A Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Government Sir Ian Cheshire, Deputy Chair of the Board at the Institute for Government Presentation Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Panel discussion Sir Jonathan Jones KCB KC (Hon), Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government Alex Thomas, Programme Director for the civil service at the Institute for Government Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government This panel was chaired by Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

This special event considered the recommendations of the Institute's 2024 Commission on the Centre of Government in light of our analysis of the Labour government's first year in office and the prime minister's agenda to reform public services and rewire the state. The Chair of the Institute, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, spok on government reform and the civil service – offering his valedictory reflections as he steps down from the role this summer. Lord Sainsbury's speech was followed by a presentation of the Institute's key recommendations on civil service reform, discussion with a panel of senior IfG staff and incoming IfG Chair Sir Ian Cheshire, and audience questions. This important event highlighted the relevance of the Institute's existing research to the government's vital reform agenda and previewed our future research plans. Welcome and opening remarks Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government Speech Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Government Q&A Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Government Sir Ian Cheshire, Deputy Chair of the Board at the Institute for Government Presentation Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Panel discussion Sir Jonathan Jones KCB KC (Hon), Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government Alex Thomas, Programme Director for the civil service at the Institute for Government Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government This panel was chaired by Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

This special event considered the recommendations of the Institute's 2024 Commission on the Centre of Government in light of our analysis of the Labour government's first year in office and the prime minister's agenda to reform public services and rewire the state. The Chair of the Institute, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, spok on government reform and the civil service – offering his valedictory reflections as he steps down from the role this summer. Lord Sainsbury's speech was followed by a presentation of the Institute's key recommendations on civil service reform, discussion with a panel of senior IfG staff and incoming IfG Chair Sir Ian Cheshire, and audience questions. This important event highlighted the relevance of the Institute's existing research to the government's vital reform agenda and previewed our future research plans. Welcome and opening remarks Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government Speech Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Government Q&A Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Government Sir Ian Cheshire, Deputy Chair of the Board at the Institute for Government Presentation Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Panel discussion Sir Jonathan Jones KCB KC (Hon), Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government Alex Thomas, Programme Director for the civil service at the Institute for Government Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government This panel was chaired by Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

Will white smoke on two trade deals help shift the narrative for Keir Starmer after a tricky week? Peter Foster, the FT's new world trade editor, joins the podcast team to dig into the details of breakthrough agreements with both the US and India. Perhaps a bigger win for the government would be to achieve that elusive reset with the EU. A big summit is looming. So what is on the table and is progress on the cards? Plus:  The reshuffle rumour mill is in overdrive. Who is up? Who is in? Who is out? No, we're not talking about ministers. This time it's the changing of the permanent secretary guard. And the IfG is watching closely.  Hannah White presents. With Jill Rutter and Alex Thomas. Produced by Simon Williams for Podmasters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cubs poet laureate Sandra Marchetti joins Sara, IFG, and Danny to celebrate the Cubs beating the deferred Dodgers this week. Support the Bleacher Bunch http://www.patreon.com/bleacherbunch Check out Sandra's new poetry books! https://amzn.to/4jJ5MTz https://amzn.to/3GrfATe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Labour jostles with Reform for polling points and the Conservatives debate the merits of cosying up to Nigel Farage's party, More in Common's Luke Tryl joins the podcast team to take stock of the polls - and what they might say about the upcoming local elections. With Rachel Reeves still looking nervously at the economic data and Donald Trump making increasingly hard-to-follow statements about tariffs, we assess the chancellor's trip to Washington. Plus: Are people satisfied with their GPs? A new IfG paper reveals all. Presented by Hannah White. With Jill Rutter, Tom Pope and Stuart Hoddinott.   Produced by Candice McKenzie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices