Devolution talks between Conservatives and Labor 'should start this month'

Three of Sir Keir Starmer's current leaders served in the cabinets of Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Photo: Labor

A leading Whitehall think tank has warned that talks on a potential Tory-to-Labour transfer of power are due to begin this month.

The Institute of Government (IfG) said time was running out to prepare the Citizens' Trial . Service of the new government led by Sir Keir Starmer.

She issued the warning amid speculation, downplayed by senior Conservatives, that Rishi Sunak could call a snap election in May.

Officials routinely begin discussing how they will implement opposition policies more than a year after public vote.

The process is designed to ensure that the Whitehall machine is ready and the party in power can get down to business straight away.

But the “access talks” were delayed because the Prime Minister The minister reportedly refused to give the civil service prior permission to begin them.

Sir Keir has also not yet sought permission to begin talks with Whitehall officials about his future program for government.

Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary, reportedly raised the issue with Mr Sunak shortly before he went on sick leave in October last year.

«Critical time for any opposition party»

If discussions fail to succeed, IfG experts have warned that starting this month may be too late to bring mandarins up to speed ahead of the election.

Emma Norris, deputy director of the think tank, said: “ The final months before a general election are a critical time for any opposition party.

“While the election campaign will always come first — and there is understandable pressure not to appear complacent about winning — preparing to govern during this period is the most important.

“When done well, it sets the stage for faster and more sustainable policy change and a more effective and stable government.”

The think tank said Sir Keir should finalize his policy platform as soon as possible , so that he would be ready to give the king's speech «within a few weeks of coming to power».

It said he should give Whitehall some details of his plans in advance, including who he intends to appoint as special advisers.

But the Labor leader may not want to do that do. to do so given the risk that his proposals could become public and be poached by the Tories.

The IfG said Sir Keir has the advantage of an experienced top team and must resist temptation. to reshuffle it again before the next election.

Three of its current leaders served in the cabinets of Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and Sue Gray, his chief of staff, was a senior civil servant.