Aged 45 and retiring on health grounds because of a neurological condition he has had for 18 months. Describes his spirit being willing but his body is not. Hope it isnt MND

Hope he's OK.

The UK government might well be better off without his influence though. He's been at the centre of an inordinate number of scandals, spats and disputes and has a curious habit of emerging from them untouched.

It’s got nothing to do with Sue Grey of course.

Rowls wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 30, 2024 5:58 pm

Hope he's OK.

The UK government might well be better off without his influence though. He's been at the centre of an inordinate number of scandals, spats and disputes and has a curious habit of emerging from them untouched.

Despite trying to keep in touch with politics and Government had no idea of that Rowls

Jamesy wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 30, 2024 6:00 pm

It’s got nothing to do with Sue Grey of course.

Are you suggesting that she has mystically made him ill?
Or maybe she’s after his job?
It pays significantly more.

Yes, Minister

basil6345789 wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 01, 2024 8:37 am

Yes, Minister

I always wondered how much of yes minister was tongue in cheek, and how much was reality. The persona of Mr. Humphreys was so believable.

Colburn_Claret wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 01, 2024 11:17 am

I always wondered how much of yes minister was tongue in cheek, and how much was reality. The persona of Mr. Humphreys was so believable.

Margaret Thatchers favourite programme at the time. When speaking about it she suggested the writers must have intimate knowledge of how government works. The fact that it remains so fresh, current and relevant today sadly shows that politics and the country has in fact progressed so little in the forty years since it was made. Might make one think… ever get the feeling you’re being had?

I hope he is OK first and foremost.

I've worked closely enough with that group of people to know that being involved in the various spats, arguments and political machinations are a part of the job. You can't avoid it if you want to do the job well and you have to broker consensus in a pretty awful working environment, often played out publicly.

The increased visibility of the current Cabinet Secretary is not down to his preference, I'd think, more to do with the scrutiny and publication of messages for the Covid inquiry and the particularly difficult and turbulent political time over the last few years. I was a little surprised when he got the job, but he did OK during a difficult time with only a couple of mis-steps. If his successor is who I think it will be, I'd expect she and Sue Grey will not get on for long.

And "Yes, Minister" and "The Thick of It" are both pretty accurate!

Having worked with a number of PermSecs and DGs I know that the past few years has been a nightmare for senior civil servants. The dysfunctionality of the last government needed to be seen to be believed and the total disconnection of senior politicians from reality was really scary.

Culmclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 01, 2024 7:07 pm

Having worked with a number of PermSecs and DGs I know that the past few years has been a nightmare for senior civil servants. The dysfunctionality of the last government needed to be seen to be believed and the total disconnection of senior politicians from reality was really scary.

I'm sure the dysfunctionality (and portside list ) of the Civil Service was a nightmare for the last government too.

Err no it wasn’t….Civil Service obstruction to Govt is a myth created by politicians to make up for their own shortcomings

Culmclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 01, 2024 7:07 pm

Having worked with a number of PermSecs and DGs I know that the past few years has been a nightmare for senior civil servants. The dysfunctionality of the last government needed to be seen to be believed and the total disconnection of senior politicians from reality was really scary.

Thank goodness we can rely on your discretion and impartiality.

If these programs are anywhere near being as accurate as suggested by sitting members of parliament, then shame on them, and shame on us for allowing it to continue. They do what they do, and laugh at us in our faces whilst they do it. They lie to our faces day in day out. Who exactly are the fools here?

Matters not what colour rosette they wear, they are all bent.

I’d love nothing more than someone to ask that absolute sponge Angela Rayner how much of her salary she spends on living costs - you know, the same living cost we all have to deal with from our salaries.

Culmclaret wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 01, 2024 7:07 pm

Having worked with a number of PermSecs and DGs I know that the past few years has been a nightmare for senior civil servants. The dysfunctionality of the last government needed to be seen to be believed and the total disconnection of senior politicians from reality was really scary.

Don’t worry, it’s gonna be sorted real quick by free gear keir, and the leeches that follow him.