The Role of Special Advisers in British Politics: Lessons from the New Labour Years - Policy@Manchester
| Dates: | 31 October 2012 |
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| Times: | 15:30 - 17:00 |
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| What is it: | Seminar |
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| How much: | Free |
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A Policy@Manchester Event.
Special Advisers SpAds are by no means a new feature of British politics, but during the course of the last Labour Government various high-profile incidents led to sustained criticism in some quarters of their role within the British political system. The current Coalition initially promised to pull-back on both the number and activities of SpAds, relying instead more on the permanent bureaucracy. Two years on, and on the back of the so-called ‘omnishambles’, the Government appears to have increasingly returned to the comfort blanket provided by SpAds.
This roundtable will consider why the role of SpAds in British politics has at times appeared problematic. Drawing on the experiences of two SpAds who operated at the heart of New Labour - Dan Corry and Patrick Diamond – it will consider various themes including: the role advisers play; the activities they undertake; and what are the formal and informal operating codes that shape their complex relationship with both minsters and the permanent staff. Introduced and chaired by David Richards, the session will include the reflections of Francesca Gains, drawing on her own research on the contribution SpAds make to the policy process.
The format of this session will be a roundtable discussion within invited questions from the floor.
Travel and Contact Information
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4.206
University Place
Manchester
