UNITED KINGDOM
A former Minister in charge of the UK Public Service has spoken out strongly in praise of Whitehall’s ability to carry on with important policy work despite the country’s impending exit from the European Union (Brexit).
Sir Oliver Letwin (pictured) said that, at a time when life in Westminster was rather surreal, one of the most surreal things was the rather comforting way that behind the scenes PS staff were getting on with their normal work and doing a “magnificent job”.
“Work is continuing on how to tackle the problems caused by antidepressant drugs, the difficulties of providing adequate social care for the frail elderly, and the need to reduce obesity,” Sir Oliver said.
“It is actually possible for politicians and Public Servants and various assembled experts to discuss important long-term issues such as these in a way that makes one momentarily forget the enormous challenges currently facing the body politic in our country.”
He said all countries went through difficulties at various times in their history and that part of being a successful nation was the ability to deal with crisis in a resilient manner.
“We are actually blessed with a Civil Service capable of continuing to maintain normality in the face of the abnormal,” Sir Oliver said.
“I have often found myself thinking that we undervalue our Civil Service.”
He said people tended to take its propriety and its intelligence for granted, and then complained about the fact that it wasn’t fleeter of foot or more commercially savvy.
Sir Oliver said there was no basis for thinking that Whitehall’s considerable merits of decency and probity and fundamentally good intentions were things that could be taken for granted.
“There are plenty of countries around the world which would give almost anything to acquire a Civil Service with these characteristics,” he said.
“So, we should definitely pause to give some thanks where thanks are actually due.”
London, 12 June 2019
