No, Prime Minister – politicians will never reform Whitehall
- Criticism of Whitehall is becoming louder and louder
- The decline in productivity in the public sector wouldn’t be accepted in any other walk of life
- There have been 17 attempts to reform the machinery of government since 1968 – all failed
The politicians are aware that the Rolls Royce machine of government has broken down. So, you might think, the time for putting it right is nigh. You would be wrong. For they are not really in charge.
Since 1968, there have been 17 major attempts to reform the machinery of government. Practically every Prime Minister has launched an inquiry into why things do not work properly, and why the levers of power do not connect to anything. Normally staffed by senior civil servants, politicians and the great and good of the day, these inquiries have spent countless man-years interviewing all those with an interest in the system, analysing the problems of government and putting forward strong recommendations for reform.
And yet nothing, absolutely nothing, ever happens.
6 comments:
His campaign chief, Pat McFadden has grumbled: ‘I work with civil servants every day… The people are good but the systems and structures they work in are too often outdated and make it hard for them to deliver.’
If the people are good, how did they end up creating dodgy systems and structures; or if they are outdated, why didn't these good people update them?
The answer is probably the same as that used by the Labour cabinet - some bigger boys did it and then ran away.
It is a mistake to try and reform the Civil Service... it's too big to change within one election cycle. At the moment it is too easy for the senior civil servants to hunker down and wait for a new minister or new government more favourable to their continued employment. We have effectively rewarded delay and non-compliance.
But take one of Trump's ideas and draw up lists of very senior civil servants who may affect political decisions (of any Government) and make them sackable by political decision. Or if you are feeling kind(!) put them on 2 year contracts which will not be renewed if they fail to deliver. That should concentrate the minds of all involved, including ending the 'learned helplessness' of our politicians.
In one, AKH, in one.
Sam - it seems to be lack of incentive, being told to improve by someone who won't be around for long just doesn't work. We probably need to see it as a human weakness which can't be resolved without incentives, then focus on what the incentives might be. Margaret Thatcher used privatisation, so that may be the place to start.
DJ - making senior official sackable may work, but do we currently elect politicians who would do the sacking? At the moment this seems unlikely, at least under someone like Starmer.
We need a change of political mood, but at the moment, disaster seems to be the most likely way for the political mood to change sufficiently.
James - thanks, depressing isn't it?
Having donated to the Israeli Army, I asked whether when they'd finished in Gaza, they could come to London and do the same to Whitehall? Still waiting for a reply!
Tammly - good idea, let's hope they just turn up unannounced.
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