Fixing the centre of government – with Sir John Major and Gordon Brown
Mar 13, 2024
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Sir John Major, the former UK Prime Minister known for his 1990s leadership, and Gordon Brown, former Chancellor and Prime Minister, tackle the urgent need for reform in the UK government. They discuss pressing issues like economic stagnation, regional inequalities, and climate change. Major reforms are proposed, including a streamlined decision-making structure and enhanced civil service accountability. The speakers also emphasize the importance of external collaboration and the dynamic between Number 10 and cabinet ministers to ensure effective governance.
The podcast discusses the urgent need for radical reform of the UK government’s central institutions to effectively address contemporary challenges.
Strategic leadership is highlighted as essential for the government, requiring a clear set of priorities and alignment across departments to tackle complex issues.
The proposed reforms emphasize the importance of enhancing accountability within the Civil Service, advocating for a balance between innovation and respect for institutional expertise.
Deep dives
Challenges at the Centre of Government
The podcast highlights significant challenges within the central institutions of the UK government, notably Number 10, the Cabinet Office, and the Treasury. It emphasizes that many stakeholders, including former Prime Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries, have criticized these institutions for being ineffective and lacking strategic direction. The central government is often described as being bogged down by micro-management and a confused mandate, leading to a power imbalance heavily favoring the Treasury. To address these issues, a year-long investigation was undertaken to propose reforms aimed at strengthening the central government’s ability to set clear priorities and support Prime Ministers in tackling the nation’s challenges.
Proposed Reforms for Effective Governance
The Commission has proposed seven key recommendations to revamp the centre of government, aiming to ensure it functions effectively in setting and delivering strategic priorities. Suggestions include the Prime Minister defining government priorities at the start of each parliamentary session and creating a streamlined Cabinet Committee for major decisions. Another significant recommendation involves restructuring the Cabinet Office and Number 10 into distinct departments, which will facilitate clearer accountability and coordination within the civil service. These reforms are presented as necessary steps for the government to be not only more effective but also responsive to the pressing challenges facing the country.
Need for Strategic Leadership
A recurring theme discussed is the absence of strategic leadership within the government structure, which is deemed critical for effective governance. The conversation underscores the need for a clear set of outcomes from ministers, advocating for a strategic framework that aligns departments towards common goals. It is suggested that without strategic direction, efforts tend to become fragmented, making it difficult to tackle complex issues like economic recovery, infrastructure repair, and public service improvement. A well-defined strategy is posited as an essential requirement for any government to ensure cohesive and effective decision-making.
Importance of Civil Service Reform
Discussions also addressed the need to reform the Civil Service to enhance its effectiveness, including making leadership roles accountable for delivery. Proposed changes include the introduction of a Civil Service Act to establish clear responsibilities and accountability for civil service leadership. It is highlighted that the civil service has become resistant to change, partly due to a history of political turmoil and expectations for rapid delivery of outcomes. To reinvigorate the civil service, there needs to be a balance between encouraging innovation and respecting the institutional memory and expertise possessed by civil servants.
Engaging in Public Debate
The podcast emphasizes the significance of generating public debate around the proposed reforms and engaging a wider audience in the conversation about effective governance. It acknowledges that while there might be disagreement on specifics, there is a consensus that change is necessary for a stronger centre of government. The involvement of prominent figures, including former Prime Ministers, serves to elevate the importance of the discourse on governance reforms. The call for engaging diverse perspectives is seen as crucial for ensuring that reforms are grounded in the realities facing citizens and are broadly supported by the public.
From tackling low economic growth to addressing regional inequalities, from adapting to climate change to transforming public service performance, UK government is facing substantial and urgent challenges. But without radical reform of the centre of government, whoever wins the next election will repeat the failures of previous administrations. The next prime minister must transform No.10, the Cabinet Office and the Treasury.
On Monday 11 March, The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH and The Rt Hon Gordon Brown spoke at the Institute for Government to launch the final report of the Commission on the Centre of Government. It sets out a plan – ambitious but deliverable – for reforming the centre of government.
Over the last year the IfG’s Centre Commission has been speaking to people who have worked at the heart of government in the UK and overseas, to devolved governments, industry and civil society leaders and community leaders. Our conclusion is that the centre of government is not equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Fundamental change is needed – and it cannot wait.
The first part of the event featured opening speeches from Sir John Major and Gordon Brown. This was followed by panel discussion of the core recommendations of the report. For this discussion we were delighted to be joined by:
• Baroness (Louise) Casey, a Commissioner who supported the project, and a crossbench peer and former civil servant
• Lord (Gus) O'Donnell, former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service
• Sir Anthony Seldon, Deputy Chair of the Commission on the Centre of Government.
The panel was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government and Chair of the Commission on the Centre of Government. This event was supported by a grant from Charities Aid Foundation.
