UNITED KINGDOM
A powerful Member of the UK Parliament has urged supporters of the UK’s exit from the European Union (Brexit) to blame politicians, not Public Servants, for the fact the country remains in the bloc.
Bernard Jenkin (pictured), who Chairs Parliament’s Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee, said the Public Service was “a much criticised and misunderstood institution” amid the Brexit debate.
Mr Jenkin, himself a leading supporter of Brexit, said the contention by some Eurosceptics that the Public Service was impeding the exit was a “false notion”.
“The only reason the UK is still trapped in the EU is because of Ministers, not the Civil Servants or the diplomats,” Mr Jenkin said.
“[Former Prime Minister] Theresa May’s Government could have done far more, with much more enthusiasm — and with more transparency — to prepare for leaving the EU on 29 March, the scheduled Brexit date.”
He said both former and serving Brexit Ministers regularly described how preparations for leaving were shelved, unannounced and hidden or blocked by other Ministers who preferred to spread fear about Brexit rather than reassurance.
“There was no legal impediment whatsoever to the UK leaving on 29 March,” Mr Jenkin said.
“Mrs May simply chose not to leave.”
He said if the new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson wanted to leave on 31 October “come what may”, he would need to appoint fresh Ministers to give PS staff clear and united Ministerial direction.
“British Civil Servants and diplomats, imbued with decades of pro-EU policy, found a ready audience for their risk-averse advice in Mrs May and most of her advisers and fellow Ministers,” Mr Jenkin said.
“If the new PM is not to be derailed like his predecessor, then he must appoint Brexit enthusiasts to all the key Ministerial and advisory roles.”
London, 18 July 2019
