If politicians come to believe that the civil service is preoccupied with speaking truth to power at the expense of doing its job, Francis Maude-type solutions will be imposed, regardless of which party is in power.
At a time of pressure on public spending, delivering efficiency savings is especially important.
Dacre has said that he “would die in a ditch defending it as a great civilising force”, and Moore grasps the Corporation’s original Reithian mission.
The best ideas for reform won’t come from government alone. That’s why I’ve joined the Commission for Smart Government which was launched last month.
Leaders must be expected to lead by example. That includes ministers. Lasting change cannot be achieved without a clear example from the top.
Three cheers for three reforms: of the civil service, of Ministers and of one that this Government tends to avoid – of public services.
If the Prime Minister doesn’t have confidence in his most senior Ministers, it’s impossible to see how anyone else can.
The Prime Minister is being urged to employ more women, but here is one who already makes it difficult for him to get away with sloppy thinking.
In government under Cameron, Francis Maude and his SpAds helped to make a difference. Time to call in Baroness Finn to hold a review.
Whitehall has at times imperilled its reputation for neutrality, but there remains a positive ‘can-do’ attitude about Brexit. The Government should harness it.
She voted for Davis in 2005, and her hero is Airey Neave: “The escape from Colditz is I think probably the coolest thing any British politician has ever done.”
The second part of our series on reducing demand for government, in which we set out a programme for change – focused on families, civil society and government.