New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Politics
5 June 2000

Why Labour ministers rage against Whitehall

Steve Richardsfinds that civil servants are better at long-winded memos than at making things happen

By Steve Richards

As the political temperature rises and ministers get tetchier, it’s not the Conservative Party that really works them up. No, it’s what they call “the bloody Civil Service”.

The tensions began almost as soon as Labour got into power. Some permanent secretaries departed at the earliest possible moment. Senior press officers went even more quickly.

Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month
Content from our partners
Wayne Robertson: "The science is clear on the need for carbon capture"
An old Rioja, a simple Claret,and a Burgundy far too nice to put in risotto
Antimicrobial Resistance: Why urgent action is needed