Douglas Carswell's Blog

It really is like Yes, Minister

Regular readers of this blog will know that I tend to bang on about Sir Humphrey rather a lot. Indeed, pointing out the way in which permanent officials, rather than those we elect, tend to decide things has become something of an obsession of mine.

Monetary policy? “That’s what we have the Monetary Policy Committee for, Minister”. Europe policy? “Ask Sir Jon Cunliffe, Minister”. 

Bonfire of the quangos? “Are you sure, Minister”. Criminal justice? “The permanent secretary has prepared a few suggestions for your speech”.

Don’t just take my word for it, read this excellent blog – TheRealYesMinister.com - by one of the stars of the 2010 Parliamentary intake, Steve Barclay MP.

Steve sits on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), before which a succession of officials appear to explain themselves – or not, as is so often the case.   

However brilliantly the PAC exposes the self-serving follies of those who actually decide public policy, perhaps Steve and his colleagues need extra powers to ensure something gets done about it? 

Giving select committees the power to hold confirmation hearings before allowing Sir Humphrey to bounce from one role to the next, coupled with line-by-line approval of departmental budgets might focus a few minds.  The mandarins might even begin to treat MPs, and the people who elected them, as more than just an irritant.

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