Sir Gus O'Donnell on football and politics
The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O'Donnell, has backed the campaign among many football supporters for the return of standing areas at major league grounds in the UK, so long as they are safe.
In an interview with a Manchester United fanzine, Sir Gus (a United fan himself) says of "safe-standing": "I like the idea. I mean the emphasis is on the 'safe' as none of us want to go back to the problems we had with the Hillsborough disaster. Certainly when you go to a Man United away game and you're with supporters who don't really sit down very much, let's be honest, the atmosphere's fantastic! So if you can find a safe way of doing it then most real fans would much rather be standing up than stuck in a corporate box.
"You've got to be sure about the safety angle, but with good design you can solve these problems. Civil servants are definitely not against it, I can tell you that. It is our job to implement policy as decided by ministers - we don't make decisions on these things.
"I think if ministers were keen and if you can crack the safety problems then personally, give people the choice. You don't need to make a stadium all standing, you can have seats and certain sections where people can stand up."
On a separate issue, Sir Gus criticises the habit of recent prime ministers to give their ministers very little time in the posts they fill.
"The average length of tenure for a minister is one year and three months," he says, "which is really short. I would love for that to be longer but ministers do tend to change... I'm very much in favour of trying to get ministers in and keep them as long as possible."
It's thought David Cameron is sympathetic to Sir Gus' views on this, and likely to hold much less extensive reshuffles than Tony Blair and Gordon Brown did. Mr Cameron is said to think there should be much more continuity in ministerial offices.
On a lighter note, Sir Gus denies that he uses the initials GOD when signing civil service documents.
"Occasionally when there's only room for initials I'll put GO'D," he says, "but it's certainly not a habit."
Sir Gus has told friends that he expects to retire as Cabinet Secretary either towards the end of this year, or at the start of 2012.
The absolute deadline for his retirement is October 2012 when he reaches the age of 60.
Sir Gus may well be replaced by another Manchester United fan, Jeremy Heywood, the permanent secretary for the prime minister's department, but he plays down reports of a rivalry between the two men for influence within the Coalition government.
"Ha ha," he says to the suggestion of a rift with Mr Heywood. "The thing you should know is that we live near to each other and we travel in regularly, well every day, together. I hope we're both going to get to the Arsenal game together."
Comment number 1.
At 9th Apr 2011, Phillip wrote:Retiring at 60 Not setting a very good example ......
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Comment number 2.
At 9th Apr 2011, TheGingerF wrote:In the main offices of state (Chancellor, Home, Foreign) Labour did have people in these posts for long periods. Their failures came in the next biggest ones of Health, Education and Industry that would have benefited from far more consistent leadership.
However the press and media needs to shoulder blame here - constant attempts to destabilise govt and politicians makes it difficult for ministers to do their job. The Tories are beginning to find this out (having ably assisted the media in their job in their last 4-5 years of oppo).
Balance to be struck - fair challenge of govt against destabilisation.
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Comment number 3.
At 11th Apr 2011, barriesingleton wrote:GREAT UNIVERSAL SWAGGER
Oh well - if Sir Gus says so . . .
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Comment number 4.
At 11th Apr 2011, stevie wrote:Why is Gus O'Donnel still in his job?
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Comment number 5.
At 11th Apr 2011, BluesBerry wrote:"The average length of tenure for a minister is one year and three months, which is really short."
This brings to mind a debate I've often had within myself: how can we retain good politicians in desperately needed roles e.g. Canada's financial minister Jim Flaherty - excellent at his job, but should the Conservatives fall, he's gone!
Maybe it's time we think about professional politicians who hold their job at the peoples' pleasure (i.e. People would vote for the person, not the party. I would vote for Flaherty, though I am not a Conservative and therefore will end up voting for a different party and against the man I really want.)
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Comment number 6.
At 11th Apr 2011, TheBlameGame wrote:Guardian Of Dissemblers
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Comment number 7.
At 11th Apr 2011, barriesingleton wrote:MENDACIOUS PUPPETS v MANAGERS (#5)
I think you might be reaching for National Management BB. But that would bring dedication, competence, efficiency, economy, positive results etc. Britain could become internally competent and content, and externally respected. Are you mad?
What would all the needy ninnies do? (And who would line the roads for Royal illusions?)
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Comment number 8.
At 12th Apr 2011, JunkkMale wrote:'1. At 10:56am 9th Apr 2011, Phillip wrote:
Retiring at 60 Not setting a very good example ......'
Doesn't half seem a difference (in media terms, that would be a 'unique' one, as in funding) between what one is told, told one needs to do, and is compelled by law or circumstance into doing... and what those who tell us 'do'.
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