How can the relationship between ministers and civil servants be improved?

Former Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, Dame Una O’Brien, joins Tom Brown to reflect on the critical importance of trust and mutual understanding in this relationship.

They explore how political shifts, such as Brexit and COVID-19, have impacted these dynamics and Una highlights the importance of investing in the relationship during good times to build a strong foundation for when challenges arise.

Plus, does the relationship need a more formal support mechanism and what are the potential solutions to enhance collaboration and efficiency in government?

You can order Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants today, out now.

Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

How has the relationship between the media and the government evolved over recent years?

Editor-in-Chief of The House and PoliticsHome Alan White joins Tom Brown to reflect on how media engagement with the government has changed, the role of lobby journalists and whether they can be too close to the levers of power.

Looking back on his experience, Alan reflects on his own misconceptions about the media’s role and the fine line between being informed and becoming a mouthpiece for the government. He also discusses the impact of figures like Dominic Cummings during the post-Brexit years.

And has the media’s appetite for news changed? And what direction will we see government briefings go under the Starmer government?

You can order Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants today, out now.

Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a minister in the UK government?

Join Tom Brown as he sits down with David TC Davies, former Secretary of State for Wales (2022–2024), for a candid conversation about life as a minister.

David takes us behind the scenes, sharing his first encounters with civil servants and revealing the pivotal role the Treasury plays on the relationships with the civil service.

He also compares his private sector experience with policy-making and suggests ways to make ministers more efficient.

Plus, David reveals some ministerial stories about Amber Rudd’s controversial resignation, Boris Johnson’s No.10 and Rishi Sunak’s hawk-eye for detail.

You can order Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants today, out now.

Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ever wondered what a civil servant truly does?

Editor of Civil Service World Suzannah Brecknell joins Tom Brown to unpack the role of civil servants and their crucial function in advising ministers.

They cover key challenges and changes facing the civil service, especially with a new government in power – is a change in government a relief or just more uncertainty?

And then how does the British administrative system compare to the US?

You can preorder Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants today, out 28 November.

Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Curious about the title, The Mind of the Minister? Discover the inspiration behind it and the books that served as Tom’s muses throughout his writing journey.

In this episode, Tom also shares candid reflections on some of his most memorable interviews with key figures like Philip Rutnam and Simon Macdonald and reflects on the logistical hurdles of scheduling international interviews with Rory Stewart.

You can preorder Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants today, out 28 November.

Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Tony Benn once said, “New ministers come in with very little knowledge and a great deal of energy – and leave with a great deal of knowledge and very little energy”.

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What happens when the permanence of civil servants meets the fleeting tenure of ministers?

Join Tom Brown as he explores the stages of this relationship; the stability of the British civil service versus the transient nature of ministerial roles; the energetic beginnings, challenging middle phase, and often abrupt end of a minister’s career; and stories about Harriet Harman, Caroline Flint, and Rory Stewart that bring these dynamics to life.

You can preorder Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants today, out 28 November.

Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ever wondered what really goes on behind closed doors between civil servants and ministers? Inside the Mind of the Minister takes you on an exclusive journey into Tom Brown’s new book, The Mind of the Minister.

Hosted by Tom Brown, a veteran in policy-making and communication, this podcast reveals the inner workings of government relationships. Whether you’re a policy enthusiast or simply curious about public administration, this podcast provides fascinating insights into political leadership and civil service.

Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/