Richborne Publishing

HOW TO BE A CIVIL SERVANT
Westminster Explained

First published in 2000, this fourth edition of How to be a Civil Servant was published in 2021.  It brings together a wide range of practical advice and information in an easily accessible form.  It is a must-read for newly appointed Whitehall civil servants and for those looking to enter the profession – not to mention students, academics, journalists, politicians and anyone with an interest in the inner workings of British government.

The book was the first ever guidebook to working in the higher levels of the civil service, and it remains the only comprehensive guide to how Whitehall civil servants should effectively carry out their duties, hone their communication skills and respond to professional, ethical and technical issues relevant to the job.  Its contents include working with Ministers, professional skills such as submitting advice and drafting speeches, the policy process and civil service ethics.

Reviewers have been very complimentary: 

• "It is the best explanation of Whitehall you'll find anywhere.
• Fantastic Insight - A beautifully written glimpse of what life is like for civil servants.  An essential read for all those looking to embark on a career in politics. 
• Martin's experience as a senior civil servant provides practical insights into an often inaccessible world!  Relevant way beyond those in the civil service.
• By far the most practical guide to how to do policy-making in the civil service.
• A masterpiece."

You can read other reviews here.

Purchase/Download Options

You can buy the book from the Politicos online bookshop, Waterstones and Amazon, or as a Kindle eBook. 

Your local bookshop will also order it for you.

CIVIL SERVANTS, MINISTERS & PARLIAMENT
The Westminster Model

Civil servants operate within a complex constitutional framework.  They are expected to be loyal to their current Ministers but must remain politically impartial and ready to switch allegiance when there is a change of government. They must also respect the role of Parliament and operate within numerous ethical constraints.

This book is a comprehensive description and discussion of the Westminster Model which governs the relationship between civil servants, Ministers and Parliament.  It provides an insightful and accessible description of civil servants’ duties, supplemented by comment and practical advice from experienced officials.

It also includes criticisms of the current framework and describes how civil servants may, as a result, be becoming increasingly accountable to Parliament.

• How do civil servants maintain political impartiality whilst working closely with Ministers?
• What should civil servants should do (if anything) if Ministers do not take their advice, or if Ministers appear to be 'behaving badly'?
• To what extent are Government blunders the fault of the civil service? 
• Why aren't MPs better at holding civil servants to account?

This fully updated text is an ideal source of information for civil servants, politics students, journalists and anyone who wants to understand the inner workings of the UK government.   It is available in several different formats, including downloads for as little as £1.00.

Readers and reviewers have commented:  

• If you want a readable, comprehensive summary of the constitutional framework within which UK civil servants and politicians operate, there is no better primer than 'Civil Servants, Ministers and Parliament'.  At under 170 pages, we're swiftly taken through rules, ethics and what happens when things go wrong. For an introduction to UK public governance, it a great place to start.
• "An excellent new publication.  An authoritative insider's guide to the role of civil servants and their relationship with ministers and Parliament. ". 

Follow this link to read a detailed list of contents.

SPEAKING TRUTH to POWER
How to have people listen to your advice and act on it

Wise advisers know that it is not enough to speak truth to power. We need to speak in a way which will be heard. This unique long read examines the incentives faced by the decision makers, discusses why no one likes to hear honest feedback, and describes how powerful people are not like the rest of us.

It then analyses how to offer persuasive advice, and to offer and receive challenge.

One reader commented:  "I really loved this book! I loved the passage you replicated from James Comey about how Trump 'ate the soul'.  And the descriptor of "courtier" really struck a nerve for me. I think the book should be required reading of any senior civil servant." 

Purchase/Download Options

You can buy the book from Amazon, the Politicos online bookshop and as a Kindle eBook.  Your local bookshop will also order it for you.