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”.

***

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/