This programme is offered within the Department of Political Economy, and focuses on research into politics, policy-making, and government in Britain in the recent past. We understand this broadly to include local politics, society and activism, economic policy and the City of London, as well as central government, foreign policy, political parties and Whitehall. Current supervisors include Dr Michael Kandiah, Professor Pat Thane, Dr Andrew Blick and Professor Roger Mortimore.

Within the Department of Political Economy, the Centre for British Politics and Government includes the Witness Seminar programme formerly run by the Institute of Contemporary British History, and works with History & Policy, directed by Dr Andrew Blick, which works for better public policy through an understanding of history by connecting historians, policy makers and the media.