To dream the impossible dream
[Warning: this blog contains simple arithmetic. Politicians and senior civil servants should approach with caution.]
Want an efficient government? Start by cutting ministers, not civil servants
The answer to why civil service reform is failing might be a little too close to home for comfort for government ministers.
So much for David Cameron’s promise to cut red tape
One of David Cameron’s best pledges as Prime Minister was to lead “the first government in modern history to leave office having reduced the overall burden of regulation.” He rightly argued that unnecessary regulation was a barrier to the growth and prosperity that the country badly needed. He demanded a much less bureaucratic government that…
A message from the Duke of Wellington to the Foreign Office – circa 1812
Gentlemen: While marching from Portugal to a position which commands the approach to Madrid and the French forces, my officers have been diligently complying with your requests which have been sent by His Majesty’ ship from London to Lisbon and thence by dispatch rider to our headquarters. We have enumerated our saddles, bridles, tents and…