Under Pressure: Sir Keir Starmer’s Search for a New Cabinet Secretary Amidst Early Government Struggles

Adam Boulton: Starmer Faces Urgency in Selecting Cabinet Secretary Following Rocky Beginning

Following Sir Simon Case's resignation as the chief of the civil service, the prime minister's choice for his successor will be crucial in shaping the administration's governance of the UK.

Sky News pundit @adamboultonTABB

Sunday, October 6, 2024, 9:

The administration led by Sir Keir Starmer has barely passed its first 100 days, and it appears to be struggling significantly.

The head of the Labour Party, along with senior officials, has been forced to retract after accepting complimentary gifts that included expensive attire and entertainment, summing up to a significant value. Sue Gray, a former civil servant hired as the chief of staff, is receiving a higher salary than the Prime Minister and faces allegations of reducing the salaries of incoming lower-level special advisers.

The government recently made a significant announcement regarding the reduction of winter fuel payments for the majority of pensioners, a move that was not well-received due to its simultaneous timing with substantial salary increases for public sector union members. This has sparked a backlash among Labour MPs, with eight of them either being suspended or stepping down from their party roles. Consequently, Labour's popularity is declining in the polls. Additionally, the prime minister frequently appears combative and unprepared in interviews and seems out of place during crucial meetings.

The situation is just beginning to unfold. Despite the initial hiccups, the government, which holds a substantial majority in the House of Commons, does not yet face any direct threats to its stability. However, there is a consensus among both allies and adversaries of Sir Keir that he must take control of his leadership responsibilities. Key to this is selecting top-notch individuals to serve as his senior advisers and officials.

Noted historian Sir Anthony Seldon, known for his extensive writings on the UK's prime ministers, has issued a caution regarding Keir Starmer's approach, stating, "Starmer must move swiftly. His approach to hiring staff has shown a lack of sophistication and urgency. If he addresses this now, he has the potential to excel."

This week brought forth a significant development. The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Simon Case, finally declared his intention to resign at the conclusion of this year. The individual appointed to succeed him will play a crucial role in effectively setting up and reintroducing the governance structure under the new administration in the UK.

As stated in the official advertisement, the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service holds the position of the top civil servant in the UK. This individual serves as the primary official advisor to both the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

Further Discussion on Labour

Minister claims new donation guidelines stem from higher standards expected of Labour compared to Conservatives

Ancient burial sites may be repurposed to address the lack of space

Rosie Duffield expressed surprise over her departure from the Labour Party, pointing out that Sir Keir Starmer struggles in his dealings with women.

Associated Subjects:

The annual remuneration stands at £200,000, surpassing even the prime minister's earnings, with an additional generous pension contribution of 28.7%. Candidates must submit their resume, a statement of up to 1000 words, a diversity survey, and a declaration of interests by 11:55 PM on October 20.

Sir Simon's resignation was widely anticipated. Critics argue that the prime minister should have encouraged him to step down earlier. The role of cabinet secretary remains the most critical among several key advisory positions currently vacant under Starmer, which also encompasses the principal private secretary (PPS), his chief civil service assistant, and the national security adviser. Given these absences, it's hardly shocking that he's struggled to fully assume his duties as prime minister.

Sir Simon has frequently been away due to a severe neurological condition. Indeed, he struggled to fully assume his role as the esteemed leader of approximately 500,000 government employees. At just 45 years old, he was significantly younger than most who have held the position of cabinet secretary when he was appointed in 2020 by the tumultuous Boris Johnson administration following the abrupt dismissal of Mark Sedwill. Prior to this role, Sir Simon served as private secretary to Prince William and was also the Principal Private Secretary to Theresa May.

Discover further insights: Following cautions about stricter budget controls, the community might find themselves baffled by Reeves. Starmer returns £6,000 in gifts following a prolonged controversy over complimentary items.

For an optimal video experience, it is recommended to use the Chrome browser.

Senior members of the Labour Party, whether justifiably or not, believed he had difficulties supporting the new administration. There remains an unsubstantiated belief among some in Labour that he could have been responsible for leaks that were harmful to Sue Gray.

The effective operation of the United Kingdom's constitutional framework relies on the neutrality of the cabinet secretary. The primary role of this position, which to date has only been held by men, is to oversee the civil service in efficiently implementing the government's agenda.

The cabinet secretary is also responsible for advising the prime minister on the sensibility, acceptability, and ethical conformity of their proposals. In the insightful television comedy series "Yes, Prime Minister," the character of cabinet secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby frequently questioned decisions with the phrase, "Is that wise, prime minister?"

By the time they ascend to the highest office, many cabinet secretaries have served under governments and ministers from various political parties. Sir Gus O'Donnell, for instance, was a key adviser to John Major, Tony Blair, and Gordon Brown. In 2010, he managed the shift to the coalition government formed by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, led by David Cameron and Nick Clegg.

When Sir Jeremy Heywood, successor to Lord O'Donnell, passed away from cancer in 2018, former Prime Ministers Blair, Brown, Cameron, Clegg, and Theresa May were prominent among those mourning his loss. Sir Jeremy was a trusted advisor to multiple prime ministers, perhaps even to a fault, given his tendency to deeply engage with the matters at hand. His and David Cameron's decision to bring the controversial ex-businessman Lex Greensill into governmental affairs was one such instance of this close involvement.

Considering the historical context and current strains, selecting Olly Robbins as the cabinet secretary appears unwise. He is generally regarded as the favorite choice of Sue Gray. It could be advantageous for Downing Street to introduce some dynamic dissent. Moreover, Robbins' background, especially his role in the Brexit negotiations, seems more appropriate for a position as a national security adviser.

Sir Keir has taken on a chaotic situation left by Rishi Sunak. Toward the end of the previous administration, Mr. Sunak tried to appoint his national security council advisor, Tim Barrow, as the US ambassador, intending to fill his previous role with General Gwyn Jenkins. The Labour opposition strongly objected and prevailed. Consequently, the positions and their prospective occupants are currently uncertain. A final decision regarding the next ambassador to Washington is expected following the U.S. elections in November.

👆 Tap this link to subscribe to Electoral Dysfunction on your preferred podcast platform 👇

Prime ministers who consistently choose close associates and allies for top advisory roles often face difficulties, as evidenced by the experiences of the last five Conservative leaders. It is much more advantageous to appoint a cabinet secretary with a solid track record in administration.

As is often the case, there are several top-tier senior male government officials who are experienced in leading government agencies and are capable of stepping into the position. Among the leading candidates are Jeremy Pocklington, the permanent secretary at DESNZ, the energy department, and Sir Peter Schofield, the permanent secretary of the department for work and pensions.

Stay informed with the most recent updates from the UK and across the globe by tuning into Sky News.

The current administration is highlighting 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 impressive pool of candidates to select from.

Sarah Healey, the permanent secretary at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DHCLG), previously with the culture department, is highly esteemed, much like Tamara Finkelstein at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Regarding Ms. Finkelstein, certain members of the Labour Party may hesitate to appoint the sibling of Danny Finkelstein, a notable Conservative peer and columnist for The Times, to a leading position.

Dame Antonia Romeo, who presently leads the Ministry of Justice, has occupied several top positions within the civil service. She was temporarily assigned as the Treasury Permanent Secretary during Liz Truss's brief time in office. Previously, her prominent and stylish role as the UK Consul General in New York led to tensions with the British embassy in Washington DC.

Several women with prior government experience might be contemplating a return to public service. Among them is Dame Melanie Dawes, who has been maintaining a discreet presence as the head of the media watchdog Ofcom. Additionally, there's Baroness Minouche Shafik, who has 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. Another notable figure is Helen McNamara, who experienced significant challenges while serving as deputy cabinet secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stay ahead with the latest Breaking News

Download the Sky News application at no cost

It remains unclear which of the mentioned individuals will declare their candidacy. Sharon White, known for her roles at John Lewis, Ofcom, and the Treasury, and who could have made history as both the first female and first black cabinet secretary, has opted not to apply. Instead, she will serve on the selection committee with Gus O'Donnell.

The decision on who will be the next cabinet secretary rests with the prime minister. Sir Keir faces the challenge of stepping beyond his usual boundaries to navigate past the initial missteps of his term and lead a government that is both capable and ethical for the next four years.

Associated Subjects

Sky News Bottom Section

Information About Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Sky Network Channels

Additional Sky Websites