Crucial Cabinet Secretary Choice Looms for Starmer Amid Government Turmoil

Adam Boulton: Starmer Faces Urgency to Select a Competent Cabinet Secretary Following Rocky Beginning

With Sir Simon Case resigning as the chief of the civil service, the choice of his successor by the prime minister will be crucial in shaping the governance of the UK.

Sky News pundit @adamboultonTABB

Sunday, October 6, 2024, 9:

The administration of Sir Keir Starmer has been operational for less than 100 days, and reports suggest it is facing challenges.

The leader of the Labour Party and senior officials were compelled to retract their acceptance of complimentary gifts, which included expensive apparel and entertainment, valued at several thousand pounds. Sue Gray, a former civil servant who was appointed as chief of staff, receives a higher salary than the prime minister and has faced criticism for reducing the salaries of less senior special advisers joining the government.

The government has recently made a significant announcement, revealing plans to reduce winter fuel payments for the majority of pensioners. This decision was relayed in a manner that many found lacking, occurring simultaneously with substantial salary increases for public sector union leaders. This has sparked a backlash among Labour MPs, with eight members so far either suspending their involvement or stepping away from party discipline. As a result, Labour's popularity has seen a decline in recent polls. Moreover, the Prime Minister frequently appears combative and unprepared in interviews and during crucial meetings.

We are still in the initial stages. The current issues, although significant, do not pose an immediate risk to a government that holds a strong majority in the House of Commons. However, there is a consensus among both allies and adversaries of Sir Keir that he must take control of the nation's leadership. This begins with selecting top-tier individuals to fill the roles of his senior advisers and officials.

Eminent historian Sir Anthony Seldon, known for his extensive writings on UK prime ministers and their tenure at 10 Downing Street, cautions, "Starmer must make swift decisions. His approach to selecting staff has shown a lack of experience and too much contentment. If he corrects this soon, he has the potential to excel."

This week, a significant opportunity has arisen. The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Simon Case, has finally declared his intention to resign at the close of the year. The individual who succeeds him will play a crucial role in shaping and redefining the governance of the UK under the new administration.

As stated in the official announcement, the Cabinet Secretary, who also serves as the head of the civil service, holds the position of the top civil servant in the United Kingdom. This individual acts as the primary official advisor to both the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

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The annual remuneration is £200,000, surpassing that of the prime minister, and includes a substantial pension contribution of 28.7%. Candidates must submit their resume, a 1000-word statement, a diversity questionnaire, and a declaration of interests by 11:55 p.m. on October 20.

Sir Simon's exit had been anticipated for quite some time. Many hold the prime minister accountable for not opening up the position earlier. The role of cabinet secretary remains the most critical among several key vacancies within Starmer's senior staff, which also include the principal private secretary (PPS), his personal aide from the civil service, and the national security adviser. Given these absences, it's hardly shocking that he has struggled to fully assume his responsibilities as prime minister.

Sir Simon has frequently been away due to a severe neurological condition. He never truly established himself as the esteemed leader of approximately 500,000 government employees. At just 45 years old, he was significantly younger than most previous cabinet secretaries when he took over in 2020, during the tumultuous tenure of Boris Johnson's administration, following the abrupt displacement of Mark Sedwill. Prior to this, Sir Simon served as the private secretary to Prince William and was also the Principal Private Secretary to Theresa May.

Learn more: Insight: Following alerts about stricter budget controls, Reeves' actions might leave the public baffled as Starmer returns £6,000 in gifts following prolonged controversy over free items.

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Senior members of the Labour Party believed, perhaps justifiably or not, that he found it difficult to support the new administration. There remains an unsubstantiated belief among some in Labour that he could have been responsible for leaks harmful to Sue Gray.

The effective operation of the UK's constitutional framework hinges on the neutrality of the cabinet secretary. The primary responsibility of this role, which has historically been held by men, is to oversee the civil service in executing the government's agenda efficiently.

The role of the cabinet secretary includes providing counsel to the prime minister on the feasibility, appropriateness, and ethical alignment of their proposals. In the insightful television comedy "Yes Prime Minister," the character of cabinet secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby frequently questioned the prime minister's decisions with the phrase, "Is that wise, prime minister?"

By the time they ascend to prominent government positions, many cabinet secretaries have served under administrations from various political backgrounds. Sir Gus O'Donnell, for instance, was a key adviser to John Major, Tony Blair, and Gordon Brown. In 2010, he facilitated the handover that led to the formation of the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government under David Cameron and Nick Clegg.

When Sir Jeremy Heywood, successor to Lord O'Donnell, passed away from cancer in 2018, former British leaders Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Nick Clegg, and Theresa May were prominent among those mourning his death. Sir Jeremy was a trusted advisor to multiple prime ministers, who often relied heavily on his counsel. At times, his willingness to assist was seen as excessive, bringing him too near to the center of power. His collaboration with David Cameron to engage the controversial ex-businessman Lex Greensill in governmental affairs was a testament to this closeness.

Historical context and current strains indicate that selecting Olly Robbins for the role of cabinet secretary could be ill-advised. He is generally regarded as the favored choice of Sue Gray. A bit of constructive conflict could be advantageous for Downing Street. Moreover, Robbins' background, particularly his role in Brexit negotiations, makes him a more appropriate fit for the position of national security adviser.

Sir Keir has taken on the challenges left by Rishi Sunak. In the final moments of the previous administration, Mr. Sunak tried to appoint his national security council adviser, Tim Barrow, as the US ambassador, aiming to fill his position with General Gwyn Jenkins. The Labour Party raised objections, which thwarted these plans. Consequently, the positions and their prospective candidates are currently uncertain. The appointment of a new ambassador to Washington is expected to be finalized following the US elections in November.

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Prime ministers who only choose close associates and allies for top advisory roles often face setbacks, as evidenced by the last five Conservative leaders. It's generally more effective to hire someone with established administrative skills as the cabinet secretary.

Typically, several distinguished senior male civil servants with backgrounds in leading government departments are considered potential candidates for the position. Among them are Jeremy Pocklington, the permanent secretary at DESNZ, the department responsible for energy, and Sir Peter Schofield, who serves as the permanent secretary for the department of work and pensions.

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The recently elected administration is emphasizing the appointment of the first female chancellor of the exchequer. Should Sir Keir consider naming the first female cabinet secretary, he has a diverse and vibrant selection of candidates to consider.

Sarah Healey, the permanent secretary at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and previously at the culture department, is held in high regard, much like Tamara Finkelstein of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Regarding Ms. Finkelstein, there may be hesitation among some Labour members to appoint the top position to the sibling of Danny Finkelstein, a notable Conservative peer and columnist for The Times.

Dame Antonia Romeo, who presently oversees the Ministry of Justice, has occupied several top-level government positions. In Liz Truss's brief stint as leader, she served for a short time as the permanent secretary to the Treasury. Previously, her high-profile and glamorous role as the UK consul general in New York led to tensions with the British embassy in Washington DC.

Several former female civil servants are potential candidates for rejoining the government. Among them is Dame Melanie Dawes, who has kept a relatively low profile at the media regulator Ofcom. Another is Baroness Minouche Shafik, who previously served as the permanent secretary at the Department for International Development and as deputy governor of the Bank of England. She recently completed her tenure as president of Columbia University in New York City. Additionally, Helen McNamara, who experienced a challenging period as deputy cabinet secretary during the COVID pandemic, could be considered for a return.

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There is still uncertainty about which candidates will enter the race. A frequently mentioned potential candidate, Sharon White, known for her roles at John Lewis, Ofcom, and the Treasury, will not be applying. She had the opportunity to become the first female and first black cabinet secretary, but has chosen to serve on the selection committee instead, joining Gus O'Donnell.

The decision on who will be the next cabinet secretary rests with the prime minister. Sir Keir is under pressure to expand his horizons and learn from the early errors of his term to ensure his administration is both capable and ethical over the next four years.

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