Civil Service

  • Helps government develop and implement its policies as effectively as possible
  • Politically impartial and independent of government
  • Coordinated and managed by the PM

Civil Service and the Remain campaign

  • Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood announced on 23 Feb 2016 that civil servants can draft speeches and briefings for ministers in support of Remain but not for Leave
  • Argued that although collective responsibility was suspended the Government’s recommendation was Remain so it was the Civil Service’s duty to support this position