DEPARTMENT FOR LEVELLING UP, HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES

The stamp of the SpAd

Special advisers come and go with the ever-moving merry-go-round of ministers.

Special advisers come and go with the ever-moving merry-go-round of ministers.

Each of them tend to impose their own stamp on the workings of their department, with nobody entirely sure whether they are delivering the message from the secretary of state or adding their own slant.

Diary senses that Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government insiders – or survivors as some call them - are only now starting to breathe a little easier following the departure of the exacting Peter Cardwell, the adviser to James ‘Brokey' Brokenshire when he was secretary of state.

Fastidious Mr Cardwell had a long list of words comms staff were banned from using that he would kick off about.

‘He hated a superfluous "that" and would have a breakdown every time he saw it in a press release,' whispered one former colleague.

‘He also banned "journey" as he said it should only be allowed if you're actually physically going somewhere or are on The X Factor.'

A quick analysis has found "that" creeping back into MHCLG pronouncements.

Mr Cardwell might need to take a physical journey back to Marsham Street if he wants to sort out his former colleagues.

DEPARTMENT FOR LEVELLING UP, HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES

Stop the political 'weaponisation' of care, says minister

By Ann McGauran | 29 November 2024

The political ‘weaponisation’ of social care must end and the Government is considering how to ‘go about building a vehicle’ for cross party consensus, the m...

DEPARTMENT FOR LEVELLING UP, HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES

The devo debate

By Martin Ford | 02 October 2024

With the deadline for councils to submit ‘expressions of interest’ having passed – but with so many questions remaining unanswered – the subject of devolutio...

DEPARTMENT FOR LEVELLING UP, HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES

A fond farewell

By Heather Jameson | 26 September 2024

As chief executive of Leeds City Council Tom Riordan prepares to leave after 14 years for a top role in Whitehall, he talks to Heather Jameson about his care...

DEPARTMENT FOR LEVELLING UP, HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES

Tower Hamlets begins inspection fightback

By EXCLUSIVE by Heather Jameson | 26 September 2024

Best Value inspectors sent into Tower Hamlets LBC have been personally threatened with legal action by the council, The MJ understands.