United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has rushed to the defence of the country’s Public Service after a newly-appointed aide described Government workers as “aloof, arrogant and remote”, while services were “too centralised”.
Baroness Finn (pictured) was promoted to the role of Deputy Chief of Staff in Downing Street last month.
Writing for the Daily Telegraph, she said the 2016 referendum in favour of the country’s withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit) was a backlash by “overlooked families and undervalued communities” against the political system.
The Conservative peer said it was not good enough for Public Service jobs to be spread around the country as part of Government reforms, but that “levelling up” had to mean “respect for and inclusion of different voices and life experiences”.
Asked about the comments, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister said Mr Johnson was “immensely proud” of how Whitehall had responded to the COVID-19 crisis and that reforms were in train.
“The Civil Service is always seeking to improve and the reforms we’ve already set out are part of that ongoing effort to deliver the best for the people of the UK,” the spokesperson said.
“A new program to transform Government is already under way. This is a shared priority for both Ministers and Civil Servants,” they said.
The Prospect union that represents Public Servants, hit back at Baroness Finn’s remarks, saying Public Service “bashing” was being “used as a smokescreen to distract from the failings of Ministers”.
Deputy General Secretary of Prospect, Garry Graham said the reality was that the Public Service had delivered magnificently during the pandemic and helped navigate through the challenges of Brexit whilst politicians were in chaos.
London, 28 February 2021
