Emptying Whitehall
A recent tweet by Peter Riddell, director of the Institute for Government, read: “Turnover of Permanent Secretaries over six times that of Cabinet ministers since May 2010. Three depts will have 3 Perm Secs in two years.” A startling revelation—but why? One suggestion is that officials in their 50s, knowing they will go no higher, leave Whitehall for one last big executive job. Suma Chakrabarti, now at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Helen Ghosh, who now runs the National Trust, are both examples. But tensions are also rising between permanent secretaries and secretaries of state, impatient with the pace of implementation. “Permanent secretaries are battered and no longer the masters of Whitehall,” said one Westminster watcher. No wonder they’re leaving.
Adonis the lion tamer
In his new book, out in early September, Andrew Adonis calls his experience of working with the tempestuous Chris Woodhead, the former chief schools inspector, his “closest lifetime encounter with lion taming.” Adonis, Labour peer and former schools minister, notes that “I was fascinated by the lion but determined not to be eaten alive and just about succeeded.” He did; the academies project, which he developed under Tony Blair, has expanded, even if controversy has expanded too.
Mo immigration?
Will the feel-good multiculturalism of the Olympics cause the government to adjust its immigration policy? The word is no, it will not. According to one Whitehall watcher, the government is having a big enough problem achieving its desired reduction in immigration. Any kind of relaxation would lead it to missing its targets by an even greater margin.
Don’t Menschion it
Louise Mensch, in forsaking her parliamentary seat and moving to New York to be with her new husband, might choose not to repeat her past lack of generosity towards America’s most successful female politician. On Woman’s Hour in January 2008, when it seemed as if Hillary Clinton might beat Barack Obama to the Democratic nomination, Mensch (then Bagshawe) said: “As a woman and an aspirant politician I would like to see women politicians coming up who aren’t married to somebody... Would [Hillary] be in this position if she weren’t the wife of Bill Clinton? I don’t think so.” Mensch pronounced that the Secretary of State, twice-elected Senator for New York, had “fallen from grace” because “she doesn’t have the great affability and charm that her husband has.” She wins few prizes for either female solidarity or prescience; Hillary has won many plaudits for her performance, consistently beating Obama in approval ratings.
Pol dancing
Republican Conventions always offer good entertainment. Highlights of the August 2012 convention in Tampa, Florida include country star Trace Adkins, best known for his hit “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” as well as the comedic presence of Donald Trump. The town is also rising to the occasion with its own offerings. The nightspot Deja Vu advertised for “as many showgirls as we can fit in the club to keep up with the demand for beautiful girls from the Republican National Convention!!!” Some might favour Thee DollHouse (sic), featuring Lisa Ann, star of the film Who’s Nailin’ Paylin? In an email to the Tampa Bay Times, DollHouse management said: “Senators, House members, Bill Clinton and his cigar and Barack Obama receive free admission.”
Trouble with the Lawsky
The Standard Chartered affair (the bank was fined $340m for allegedly having “hidden” £160bn of transactions with Iran in contravention of international sanctions) is the most serious of all the recent problems for banks—not least because the New York State superintendency essentially has the power of life and death over banks in NYC. The current incumbent, Ben Lawsky, is politically ambitious beyond his years, and is well aware that the Iranian bogeyman goes down a treat with potential campaign donors.
Poetry games
An Olympics poem by Carol Anne Duffy, the poet laureate, caught the eye of the twittersphere. Lines such as “We’ve had our pockets picked / the soft, white hands of bankers,” and “enough of the soundbite abstract nouns / austerity, policy, legacy, of tightening metaphorical belts,” led to a slew of parodies. Prospect here honours its three favourites. Bronze goes to @Ilana for “I hope my poem will bring back Labour / And another book deal with Faber & Faber.” Silver goes to @thhamilton for: “Britain wins a bronze in kayak / Lack of growth discredits Hayek.” But gold medal goes to @JeremyBrier, for: “London is full of Olympic cheer / Insert trite left wing platitude here.”
A recent tweet by Peter Riddell, director of the Institute for Government, read: “Turnover of Permanent Secretaries over six times that of Cabinet ministers since May 2010. Three depts will have 3 Perm Secs in two years.” A startling revelation—but why? One suggestion is that officials in their 50s, knowing they will go no higher, leave Whitehall for one last big executive job. Suma Chakrabarti, now at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Helen Ghosh, who now runs the National Trust, are both examples. But tensions are also rising between permanent secretaries and secretaries of state, impatient with the pace of implementation. “Permanent secretaries are battered and no longer the masters of Whitehall,” said one Westminster watcher. No wonder they’re leaving.
Adonis the lion tamer
In his new book, out in early September, Andrew Adonis calls his experience of working with the tempestuous Chris Woodhead, the former chief schools inspector, his “closest lifetime encounter with lion taming.” Adonis, Labour peer and former schools minister, notes that “I was fascinated by the lion but determined not to be eaten alive and just about succeeded.” He did; the academies project, which he developed under Tony Blair, has expanded, even if controversy has expanded too.
Mo immigration?
Will the feel-good multiculturalism of the Olympics cause the government to adjust its immigration policy? The word is no, it will not. According to one Whitehall watcher, the government is having a big enough problem achieving its desired reduction in immigration. Any kind of relaxation would lead it to missing its targets by an even greater margin.
Don’t Menschion it
Louise Mensch, in forsaking her parliamentary seat and moving to New York to be with her new husband, might choose not to repeat her past lack of generosity towards America’s most successful female politician. On Woman’s Hour in January 2008, when it seemed as if Hillary Clinton might beat Barack Obama to the Democratic nomination, Mensch (then Bagshawe) said: “As a woman and an aspirant politician I would like to see women politicians coming up who aren’t married to somebody... Would [Hillary] be in this position if she weren’t the wife of Bill Clinton? I don’t think so.” Mensch pronounced that the Secretary of State, twice-elected Senator for New York, had “fallen from grace” because “she doesn’t have the great affability and charm that her husband has.” She wins few prizes for either female solidarity or prescience; Hillary has won many plaudits for her performance, consistently beating Obama in approval ratings.
Pol dancing
Republican Conventions always offer good entertainment. Highlights of the August 2012 convention in Tampa, Florida include country star Trace Adkins, best known for his hit “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” as well as the comedic presence of Donald Trump. The town is also rising to the occasion with its own offerings. The nightspot Deja Vu advertised for “as many showgirls as we can fit in the club to keep up with the demand for beautiful girls from the Republican National Convention!!!” Some might favour Thee DollHouse (sic), featuring Lisa Ann, star of the film Who’s Nailin’ Paylin? In an email to the Tampa Bay Times, DollHouse management said: “Senators, House members, Bill Clinton and his cigar and Barack Obama receive free admission.”
Trouble with the Lawsky
The Standard Chartered affair (the bank was fined $340m for allegedly having “hidden” £160bn of transactions with Iran in contravention of international sanctions) is the most serious of all the recent problems for banks—not least because the New York State superintendency essentially has the power of life and death over banks in NYC. The current incumbent, Ben Lawsky, is politically ambitious beyond his years, and is well aware that the Iranian bogeyman goes down a treat with potential campaign donors.
Poetry games
An Olympics poem by Carol Anne Duffy, the poet laureate, caught the eye of the twittersphere. Lines such as “We’ve had our pockets picked / the soft, white hands of bankers,” and “enough of the soundbite abstract nouns / austerity, policy, legacy, of tightening metaphorical belts,” led to a slew of parodies. Prospect here honours its three favourites. Bronze goes to @Ilana for “I hope my poem will bring back Labour / And another book deal with Faber & Faber.” Silver goes to @thhamilton for: “Britain wins a bronze in kayak / Lack of growth discredits Hayek.” But gold medal goes to @JeremyBrier, for: “London is full of Olympic cheer / Insert trite left wing platitude here.”
