Labour warns of return to cronyism amid public appointments review – but did it ever go away?

Last Updated: April 12, 2016By
This infographic demonstrates the strength of feeling against David Cameron and all those who helped his family gain unfair tax advantages - including current HMRC chief Edward Troup.

This infographic demonstrates the strength of feeling against David Cameron and all those who helped his family gain unfair tax advantages – including current HMRC chief Edward Troup.

Do we know for sure that the days of political and personal patronage ever went away?

Look at David Cameron and the head of HM Revenue and Customs, Edward Troup – who was a partner at the law firm that acted for Blairmore Holdings.

His appointment to a top public office may be considered cronyism because of his connection with the Camerons.

They may be seen to have given him their patronage and it is possible they may be making political demands of him in return.

If such appointments are to be avoided, then possible connections between applicants and politicians must be considered before anybody gets to a job interview.

Labour has called on the government to reject a proposed overhaul of the appointments process for senior public jobs, amid fears that it could lead to a rise in cronyism.

Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader and shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “It’s vital we prevent important public roles like the chairman of the BBC Trust or the heads of museums and galleries becoming politicised.”

He was responding to claims by Sir David Normington, the outgoing commissioner for public appointments, in an interview with the Financial Times. Normington said that the recommendations of a recent review by businessman Sir Gerry Grimstone would usher in “a return to the days of political and personal patronage”.

Source: Labour warns of return to cronyism amid public appointments review | Politics | The Guardian

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4 Comments

  1. Dez April 12, 2016 at 12:09 pm - Reply

    This is one poacher that should not even be on the gamekeepers side….who the hell appointed him? The Elite?

  2. mrmarcpc April 12, 2016 at 2:07 pm - Reply

    It never went away, it’s always been here and always will!

  3. casalealex April 12, 2016 at 3:12 pm - Reply

    Many in the House of Commons, (what a misnomer that word is), are renowned for their corruption, cronyism and nepotism. Proving they ARE all in it together!

  4. Terry Davies April 12, 2016 at 4:45 pm - Reply

    the class system and the party political system in the electoral process exploit apathy and despondency. this is undeniably political.
    some desperate and dissillusioned young people join the terrorist or join right wing groups and delude themselves their voice is all powerful. its all political, religion, work, welfare, policing, military, banking and tax regulation are all prone to corruption when party politics allow a corrupt minority to rule over the majority.
    Party politics is the problem as it creates an ‘elected dictatorship at best and a nation driven by greed financial corruption, those driven by powerlust and those who want profits, taking at the costs of hardship to others.
    Tories – blue and red tick all the boxes and they are creators of social problems and terrorism. Until the public acknowlege these its likely the class system etc will continue to deteriorate equalities and be detrimental to the majority of people in the UK.

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