Antonia Romeo's Appointment: A Historic Yet Troubled Milestone
In ordinary circumstances, the selection of a new head of the civil service would scarcely attract attention beyond the corridors of Whitehall. However, the appointment of Dame Antonia Romeo as cabinet secretary—marking a historic moment as the first woman to hold this position—has unfolded against a backdrop of controversy and systemic dysfunction, casting a shadow over what should be a celebratory achievement.
Allegations and Ethical Concerns Cloud the Role
Antonia Romeo, the fourth individual to assume the cabinet secretary role since 2016, has been dogged by allegations of bullying Foreign Office staff and misusing expenses during her tenure as consul general to the UN in New York. A formal complaint from 2017 was investigated by a senior diplomat, but she was cleared by her line managers at the Cabinet Office. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision to appoint her aimed to quell doubts, yet recent reports from The Sunday Times reveal that the Cabinet Office's propriety and ethics team allegedly broke into a safe and destroyed a copy of a historic bullying investigation, evoking scenes from a spy thriller.
As a former deputy cabinet secretary who worked alongside Antonia in Whitehall during 2016, I extend my best wishes for her success. The civil service desperately requires stability and an end to the ongoing psychodrama surrounding its leadership. However, the public dispute over her appointment has been undignified, and official briefings have raised red flags, particularly the emphasis on dismissing only "formal" complaints.
The Broader Implications of Leadership Culture
It is not unusual for ambitious, high-achieving individuals to overlook their impact on others, a trait that can coexist with effective leadership. Yet, this dynamic often leaves subordinates—predominantly women—feeling silenced when raising legitimate concerns. The culture established by the cabinet secretary profoundly influences thousands of government employees, even if the role itself seems distant. While demanding excellence and driving change are essential, especially in these challenging times, the ultimate goal should be empowering teams to perform at their best.
Under pressure, senior leaders, whether political appointees or officials, may inadvertently cross into intimidation, hindering both their objectives and the broader mission. In Westminster and Whitehall, a persistent pattern makes it difficult for junior staff to challenge authority and address misconduct, perpetuating a toxic environment.
Systemic Failures and the Need for Radical Reform
Beyond personal controversies, Antonia faces an even greater hurdle: the cabinet secretary role is fundamentally outdated. Created in 1916 to address administrative failures exposed by the First World War, its purpose was to ensure ministerial decisions were implemented. For over a century, this analogue system functioned adequately, but it now struggles to meet modern demands.
The past decade has seen nearly as many cabinet secretaries as prime ministers, a trend that undermines governance and complicates effective leadership. Prime ministers, like Keir Starmer replacing Chris Wormald, often mistakenly believe that changing the cabinet secretary will resolve deeper issues—a parallel to voters hoping a new prime minister will solve national problems. However, replacing one individual cannot fix a broken system.
The Future Governance Forum, a think-tank I chair, recently examined Downing Street's structure and found unanimous agreement among ministers, advisers, and civil servants that the centre of government is ill-equipped for success. Responsibilities are blurred between teams, there is minimal capacity for long-term planning, and the culture fosters insularity and superficial thinking. A chorus of former government officials from across the political spectrum echoes that the system itself has become the obstacle.
The Covid-19 pandemic laid bare extensive failures within the British state, yet opportunities for radical reform have been missed. Antonia Romeo has a golden chance to spearhead change, though she may be reluctant to reform herself out of a job. The civil service model and fundamental government structures require a significant overhaul, and she will be at the helm of this critical transformation.
