The extraordinary events of last week may have made for great spectator sport for non-Labour voters, but Whitehall’s civil servants must have been looking on with a fair degree of concern.
The extraordinary events of last week may have made for great spectator sport for non-Labour voters, but Whitehall’s civil servants must have been looking on with a fair degree of concern.
While the destructive nature of Labour’s leadership row has serious implications for the party’s chances at the next election, the open warfare between Camps Blair and Brown does not bode well for effective government over the next few months.
Jonathan Baume, the general secretary of the FDA, has pointed out that the "conflicting and competing agendas for government" from Numbers 10 and 11 is begining to hinder civil servants’ ability to carry out their jobs.
And Charles Clarke, prior to his stinging criticism of the chancellor last weekend, had gone on the record attacking the conflicting demands from the prime minister’s team and the Treasury during his tenure as home secretary. While Blair’s aides wanted initiatives and strategies, the Treasury was more focused on spending and costs. When such requests were co-ordinated there were no problems. But when they were not, the result was "confusion and ineffectiveness".
The bitterness and rancour of recent days suggests that the possibility of Blairites and Brownites operating smoothly together is remote at best. Nevertheless, if Labour is to pull back from the brink, teamwork is the only option. Ironically, history shows that when Blair and Brown work together they are a formidable partnership.
Facing a resurgent Conservative Party, it is more important than ever for Labour to focus purely on the business of government. If, come the next election, the party’s leader can point to sweeping policy achievements, stronger public services, as well as a strong economy, the chances of re-election would be far better than they are at present.
Author: Matt Mercer
Last updated 2074 days ago by Civil Service World
