Reform UK government would replace top civil servants with policy believers'

"Senior Reform figures have concluded that the current crop of permanent secretaries, the lead civil servant in each department, are not up to the necessary standard. Some would be replaced by outsiders, and others by existing officials viewed as more suitable. The plan has prompted warnings that a shift towards a less stable and more politicised civil service could result in the loss of significant expertise and of institutional memory."

"One senior member said this would be modelled on the second Trump administration, with a focus on making change via executive orders rather than legislation, where possible. Reform has already said it would look at appointing outside experts to become ministers. It is understood that as well as making some into peers, so they could sit in the House of Lords, others considered for ministerial jobs would be lined up for winnable Commons seats."

"The influx of money has allowed Reform to expand its teams working on new policies and preparation for government. This process thus far has had limited input from Farage, with insiders saying the party leader is focusing on May's elections across England, Scotland and Wales."

Reform UK intends to replace the permanent secretaries, the top civil servants in each government department, believing the current officials lack the necessary standards to implement party priorities. Some replacements would come from outside the civil service, while others would be existing officials considered more suitable. The party plans to model governance on the second Trump administration, emphasizing executive orders over legislation. Reform also plans to appoint outside experts as ministers, potentially making some peers or securing Commons seats for others. The party has received substantial donations, including £12 million from crypto investor Christopher Harborne, though donors would be excluded from ministerial roles. Experts warn this approach could destabilize the civil service, increase politicization, and result in loss of expertise and institutional memory.

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