Labour's Civil Service Appointments Spark Cronyism Concerns

The Labour Party faces mounting scrutiny over its recent appointments to the Civil Service, raising concerns about potential cronyism and the erosion of political impartiality in Whitehall. The Civil Service Commission, an independent statutory body responsible for regulating recruitment to the Civil Service, has initiated a review of the new government's "exceptional" appointments, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

At the heart of the controversy is the apparent connection between ministers, donors, and newly appointed civil servants. Labour Together, a think tank and campaigning organization associated with the Labour Party, has emerged as a central figure in this web of relationships. The organization, which functions similarly to an American "super PAC," has become the largest donor to Members of Parliament.

Several instances of questionable appointments have come to light:

• Rachel Reeves' donor, Ian Corfield, held a director position at HM Treasury until recently.
• Emily Middleton was promoted to a high-ranking Whitehall position after her company donated to Peter Kyle, the Science Secretary.
• Keir Starmer's donor, Lord Alli, received a Downing Street pass and organized a rose garden party.

These appointments have raised eyebrows among those familiar with Whitehall operations. The author, drawing from nearly 15 years of experience in and around Whitehall, including roles as a special adviser in three departments and Downing Street, emphasizes the need for Civil Service reform to address Britain's economic challenges. However, they stress that such reform should not come at the cost of abandoning the principle of a permanent, politically impartial Civil Service.

The appointment of Jess Sargeant, another figure associated with Labour Together, to the Cabinet Office's Propriety and Constitution Group is particularly concerning. This group is responsible for advising on sensitive issues such as ministerial ethics and Civil Service impartiality. The author questions whether Sargeant can realistically perform this role given her political background.

"An inquiry should be opened into whether Rachel Reeves broke the Ministerial Code."

The author argues that while Whitehall does need reform, the new government's approach is misguided. They criticize the abandonment of plans to reduce Whitehall's size, the unconditional pay awards, and the lack of focus on addressing wasteful initiatives. The author also expresses concern over Angela Rayner's proposal to extend public sector working practices like four-day weeks to the private sector, describing it as a "growth-destroying strategy."

To address Britain's productivity challenges, the author suggests that the next Conservative leader should prioritize public sector reform, drawing inspiration from Michael Gove's transformation of education during his tenure as Secretary of State from 2010 to 2014. They recommend implementing the blueprint provided in Francis Maude's report on Whitehall reform.

Key suggestions for reform include:

• Dividing the Treasury's responsibilities
• Granting ministers greater powers over appointments
• Increasing transparency in the recruitment process
• Giving ministers more influence over departmental operations

The author concludes by urging Conservatives to develop a comprehensive public sector reform program during their time in opposition, emphasizing its importance for boosting economic growth and improving public services.