UNITED KINGDOM
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson has reportedly told senior Public Servants they must continue with preparations for a no-deal exit from the European Union (Brexit) despite rulings against it in Parliament.
This would also include continuing with the preparations even if a General Election was called when normally purdah (caretaker) conventions would apply.
Purdah rules require the Government to use discretion in initiating any new actions of a continuing or long-term character, while policy decisions on which a newly elected Government might be expected to diverge should be postponed, as long as a delay does not damage the national interest or waste public money.
This development came after Labour MP Mary Creagh wrote to Cabinet Secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill calling on the Government to halt its Get Ready for Brexit communications campaign, which she said had already been politicised.
A Downing Street source said Mr Johnson “has made clear to senior officials that if he is forced into an election by rebels, purdah rules will have no application to no-deal planning”.
The source said people had forgotten that purdah was a convention, not law “and the law is we are leaving on 31 October”.
“Those Remainers clinging to the hope that purdah will save them are clinging to yet another delusion,” the source said.
Responding to the comments, General Secretary of the Prospect Union, Mike Clancy said it was “alarming that Government sources are threatening to tear up purdah rules if an election is called and seeking to abuse the work of Civil Servants during this highly sensitive time”.
“Rules on purdah are designed to protect Civil Servants, politicians and the public from claims that the legitimate work of Government is being abused to support one party over another,” Mr Clancy said.
“Clearly, Civil Servants will continue to work behind the scenes on whatever priorities the Government sets, including to mitigate a no-deal situation, but we need urgent clarification that Ministers will respect the professionalism and impartiality of Public Servants.”
He said not applying the pre-election rules would mean dragging PS staff into what could be “the nastiest election in living memory”.
London, 4 September 2019
