Major trade union boss says a Jeremy Corbyn government would be undermined by Whitehall
2 min read
The leader of one of Britain’s largest trade unions has said senior civil servants would try to "prevent" carrying out the demands of a Labour government.
Mark Serwotka said a Jeremy Corbyn-led administration would represent an “historic moment”, but suggested it would be held back by those who "control our institutions" - including senior Whitehall staff, large corporations and the media.
Calling into question the impartiality of the civil service, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) general secretary said those at the top would use their power to block "radical change".
“It is those few who rule Britain and control our institutions, from the civil service and Whitehall to large corporations and the media,” he wrote on the website Labour List.
“They run these in their own interests. We must be in no doubt that they will seek to do everything they can to prevent radical systemic change."
He added: “We must be prepared for resistance from the establishment and the appointed heads of the civil service who control the levers of power.”
The PCS general secretary also claimed civil servants have implemented some government reforms “unwillingly”.
"Public servants are suffering, yet they are forced to carry out the government’s agenda. PCS members working in job centres have to implement the government’s welfare 'reforms' unwillingly.
"It’s the oldest trick in the book; to foster a culture that pits people against each other in order to deflect blame away from those at the top."
Garry Graham, the deputy general secretary of the union Prospect, said Mr Serwotka's claims were "unfounded".
“Those who make unfounded allegations damage our public institutions and those who serve them and also undermine public support,” he said.
“Prospect will always champion the professional values of our civil service and those who serve in it – we would expect others to do the same.”
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