Photo credit: www.theguardian.com

Starmer Under Pressure to Select New Cabinet Secretary

Keir Starmer faces a significant decision regarding the appointment of a new cabinet secretary, as calls intensify for a candidate who can transform the conventional framework of the role. The discussions come amid ongoing internal deliberations about the successor to Simon Case, who is set to depart his position.

Among the potential nominees, Sharon White, the former chief executive of Ofcom and the outgoing chair of the John Lewis Partnership, is considered a frontrunner. Minouche Shafik, previously the president of Columbia University, is also in the mix. However, some in Downing Street express reservations about appointing outsiders to this pivotal position.

Oliver Robbins, a former negotiator for Brexit and closely associated with Starmer’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, was initially a strong candidate for the role. He is now being considered for the national security adviser position instead.

Insiders have mentioned additional potential candidates from within the civil service, including Tamara Finkelstein, who serves as the permanent secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Jeremy Pocklington, currently the permanent secretary at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Reports suggest that the process of finding a new cabinet secretary has advanced beyond preliminary talks with Gray and moved towards more concrete discussions with various candidates. However, Starmer has yet to personally engage with any of them.

Shafik, noted for her previous roles, including deputy governor of the Bank of England, is said to be a strong contender for the position. Her recent departure from Columbia, following controversy surrounding the university’s response to protests related to Gaza, has raised concerns about potential challenges she might bring to the role, as the atmosphere in Whitehall is sensitive to “significant baggage” associated with external candidates.

Starmer’s familiarity with several candidates is bolstered by his prior participation in meetings with permanent secretaries during his tenure as director of public prosecutions. Nevertheless, allies of Starmer emphasize the necessity for the new appointee to be committed to enacting reforms. “We don’t need more secretive civil service shenanigans,” one ally remarked, underscoring the need for someone who can champion change.

Alex Thomas, a scholar at the Institute for Government, expressed skepticism about appointing someone entirely new to the civil service, stating, “I’d be very surprised if the job went to someone who had never been a previous permanent secretary or a very senior civil servant.” However, he acknowledged the merit in considering a diverse pool of candidates.

The last competitive recruitment for the cabinet secretary role attracted candidates like Charles Roxburgh, a former second permanent secretary at the Treasury, and Antonia Romeo, now the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Justice. Boris Johnson ultimately selected Simon Case, who had previously served as a permanent secretary and royal aide.

According to the 2010 Constitutional Reform and Governance Act, the appointment must be based on merit and open competition, rather than political influence. The cabinet manual stipulates that the selection is made by the prime minister based on recommendations from the outgoing cabinet secretary alongside the first civil service commissioner, currently Gisela Stuart.

In the previous appointment cycle, the civil service commissioner invited applications from former and current permanent secretaries, resulting in a shortlist presented to the prime minister for final selection.

Case’s anticipated departure in January has yet to be formally confirmed, with reports of strained relations between him and certain Downing Street figures, including Gray. It is expected that he will announce his intention to step down for health-related reasons soon. Once a date for his exit is established, the formal selection process can commence, involving the Civil Service Commission, with officials in No 10 eager to expedite this critical transition.

Source
www.theguardian.com