The End of Whitehall?

Description

This Palgrave Policy Essential maps and assesses key changes in the Whitehall model over the last two decades. It argues that the traditional Whitehall model is being replaced by a system of ‘New Political Governance’ (NPG) centred on politicised campaigning; the growth of political advisory staff relative to the permanent civil service; the personalisation of bureaucratic appointments; and the creation of a government machine that is ‘promiscuously partisan’. It provides a snapshot of the institutional changes that are unfolding at a critical moment, as Whitehall prepares to support Ministers in carrying out the Brexit process while addressing a series of long-term structural challenges from the demographic pressures of the ageing society to the impact of climate change. Austerity since 2010 has had a further transformative effect on Whitehall, with drastic reductions in the civil service workforce, the restructuring of government agencies, and a reconfiguration of the traditional roles and responsibilities of the permanent civil service. Front Matter ....Pages i-vii Introduction (Patrick Diamond)....Pages 1-21 Government by ‘Permanent Campaign’ (Patrick Diamond)....Pages 23-29 The Growth of Political Advisory Staff (Patrick Diamond)....Pages 31-55 The Personalisation of Appointments (Patrick Diamond)....Pages 57-70 A ‘Promiscuously Partisan’ Bureaucracy (Patrick Diamond)....Pages 71-76 Conclusion (Patrick Diamond)....Pages 77-92 Back Matter ....Pages 93-106