The Politics of Advice: CPRS and the Government Centre

Abstract

The problematic survival of the CPRS in its present form and with its existing personnel is not so important as the issues it raises. Whether or not the CPRS endures for any length of time, its initial problems and experiences are invaluable to anyone interested in Her Majesty’s government. No post-war reform has more directly highlighted the private relations of those who claim to exercise supreme power. The politics of advice is a permanent feature of the government centre.

This Administration has pledged itself to introduce a new style of government.

The Reorganisation of Central Government, para. 1

Style is the half-sister of fashion. Both are cosmetics and neither determines what actually gets done.

Permanent secretary

Heath has always been very adamant that his government would have strategic objectives and that all actions would be weighed against them.

Businessman adviser

The British believe in mobilizing extremely small numbers of people to deal with very large problems.

CPRS official