‘I was sceptical [about civil service reform] until I read that unreadable column.’ This was the response of a Westminster type who I spoke to earlier about Francis Maude and Sir Bob Kerslake’s joint article on civil service reform in today’s Telegraph. Having re-read the jargon-ridden piece, I see what he means. Take this passage:
That is a very long way away from Steve Hilton’s radicalism. Small wonder, then, that this change in emphasis is being heralded by some as another victory for Sir Humphrey and friends.‘The Civil Service has to have a culture which is pacier, more innovative, less hierarchical and focused on outcomes not process. We also need sharper accountability, in particular from permanent secretaries and those leading major projects, and we need more digital services, better data and management information and for policy and implementation to be linked seamlessly together. ‘
The Maude-Kerslake article reflects both the facts and frustrations of government. The Tories went into government in 2010, as ever they have, trusting in the civil service. They determined not to further New Labour’s reliance on political advisors, and Cameron filled No. 10’s policy unit with officials.
The government’s attitude shifted as public service reform stalled in early 2011. Steve Hilton’s well-publicised irritation with officialdom grew, and David Cameron demanded that the civil service must ‘get off the back of business’. But, aggravated Downing Street SpAds still left their posts: Hilton to California and the rest to gestate in London think-tanks.
The fact of government appears to be that one cannot govern without Whitehall; and that one cannot reform Whitehall against its consent. This explains why today’s proposals are so tepid next to that which was promised. There will be change, but it will be change on the civil service’s terms. This, coupled with the slow pace of public service reform to date, is likely to harden Tory opinion against the Mandarins and make civil service reform a core Conservative issue.
UPDATE: Lord Butler, a former Cabinet Secretary and widely respected public servant, has attacked ministers for ‘dumping on’ their officials when policies backfire or come unstuck. This adds to the sense of impending ill-blood between the Conservatives and the civil service.
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