Downing Street has itself to blame for weak grip on Whitehall, say experts

Former No 10 adviser Paul Ovenden criticised a "political perma-class" and said ministers were distracted from voters' priorities; several government experts and commentators said ministers already hold the power to change Whitehall and the government declined to comment.

Former No 10 adviser Paul Ovenden has publicly criticised what he called a "political perma-class" and argued Downing Street has been distracted from voters' priorities. He named examples such as the campaign to free activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah and other issues he described as distractions. The prime minister and some Downing Street figures have expressed frustration at delays caused by regulations and arm's-length bodies. The government declined to comment on Ovenden's remarks; these were his first public comments since he resigned in September after reports about inappropriate messages he had sent. What experts and critics said: - Paul Ovenden said a "stakeholder state" and a "political perma-class" have sapped time and energy and called for a government with renewed purpose. - The prime minister was reported to have complained that regulations, consultations and arm's-length bodies lengthen the time from decisions to delivery. - Alex Thomas of the Institute for Government said getting things done is difficult but that talking to stakeholders is important, and he pointed to a weak centre, civil service churn and poor performance management as problems needing sustained political focus. - Dave Penman of the FDA said ministers created the existing settlement and that change is possible if there is strong political will. - Commentators including John McTernan and Tom Baldwin argued ministers must accept responsibility and that focusing on Whitehall reform risks distracting from issues voters care about. Summary: The exchange has prompted questions about whether delays and bottlenecks in Whitehall are structural or the result of political choices, with a former adviser urging decisive reform and several experts saying ministers already have the power to act. Views differ on whether renewed political will or a change in civil service arrangements is the main answer. The government declined to comment and no specific reform plan has been announced. Undetermined at this time.