It’s the second Queens Speech in two months, with perhaps more changes than we expected. Will Boris Johnson’s huge majority mean he can deliver on his election promises? Or will his radical programme be derailed by governments’ oldest enemies: unforeseen circumstances, hubris, and “events, dear boy”*?

On this last INSIDE BRIEFING before Christmas, we also look at whether Johnson can pull off his much-touted NHS reforms and whether Dominic Cummings can remake Whitehall in his own image. Is it a mistake to plunge into government departments into wholesale upheaval, however good your intentions? And we ask prominent Brexiteer Douglas Carswell if his dreams have come true in quite the way he wanted. 

Plus, should auld acquaintance be forgot, there’s a look at the lessons and legacy of David Cameron’s government – remember them? – with special guest Chris Cook of the innovative “slow news” start-up Tortoise Media. And our statistical savant Gavin Freeguard is on hand with some Speed Data about ministerial turnover. 

“It’s really hard to get government money spent on things that people can actually see.” – Chris Cook

“Ministers have actually said to us, how do we get stuff done?” – Bronwen Maddox

* Did Harold McMillan ever actually say this? We may never know… 

Hosted by Bronwen Maddox with Cath Haddon and Emma Norris plus Chris Cook and Gavin Freeguard. Audio production by Alex Rees.

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