The Power of Whitehall provides rich and informative observations about the nature of the Civil Service, its values and effectiveness, what threatens it and how it should continue to adapt to a changing world. Journalist David Normington and historian Peter Hennessy address themes such as the importance of politicians trusting Civil Servants and the difficulties that arise when they don't; the role of Special Advisers and the extent to which they are a threat to the Minister-Civil Servant relationship; and of the effect of Select Committees and the media. Civil Servants are now exposed to the public in unprecedented ways, with both negative as well as positive consequences. What does it mean that the political neutrality of the Civil Service has been enshrined in law since 2010, approximately 150 years after it was first proposed by Northcott and Trevelyan? The Power of Whitehall is an accessible introduction to the life of the Civil Servant as well as the Civil Service itself.

About the Author
Claire Foster-Gilbert read theology at Balliol College, Oxford and developed expertise in medical ethics as a Research Fellow at King's College, London. She then moved to work for the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England as policy adviser. She left in 2008 to found a charity, The Ethics Academy. She is currently member of the British Medical Association's Medical Ethics Committee, Unilever's Central Research Ethics Advisory Committee and the McDonald Centre for public theology and ethics, Christ Church, Oxford.


Book Information
ISBN 9781912208050
Author Claire Foster-Gilbert
Format Paperback
Page Count 120
Imprint Haus Publishing
Publisher Haus Publishing