PM appoints a ‘safe pair of hands' to run civil service
The Independent|December 03, 2024
Sir Keir Starmer has appointed a candidate described as a “safe pair of hands” to run the civil service as he prepares to reset his government this week following a turbulent first five months in power.
ARCHIE MITCHELL & DAVID MADDOX
PM appoints a ‘safe pair of hands' to run civil service

The prime minister has chosen Sir Chris Wormald, the current permanent secretary to the Department of Health, to be his cabinet secretary, Britain’s most senior civil service position.

It comes as the PM prepares to give a major speech tomorrow in which he will launch a “plan for change”. Sir Keir is hoping to get his beleaguered administration back on course after a series of missteps and miscommunications have left him facing a barrage of criticism.

Sir Chris was the fourth favourite on a shortlist of four to get the job as Britain’s top mandarin, having been passed over for the role by Boris Johnson in 2020. He has been described as a safe pair of hands, a steady-as-you-go candidate, and “the consummate Sir Humphrey”.

While the prime minister has said he wants to bring change and rewire the government, it has been noted that his choice to run the Whitehall machine is the least radical of the candidates, with Sir Chris pipping more dynamic characters like Olly Robbins and Antonia Romeo at the post.

The appointment comes just two weeks before the departure of Simon Case, who is stepping down due to ill health.

この記事は The Independent の December 03, 2024 版に掲載されています。

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この記事は The Independent の December 03, 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

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