LONDON -- The British civil service has prided itself on being politically neutral in providing unbiased advice to ministers. It has also largely avoided being corrupted by political cronyism. Sadly these traditions are being undermined by British politicians.
The rot began in the 1970s when the Labour government appointed "political advisers" to work with civil servants to try to ensure that the advice given to ministers took more account of political (i.e. electoral) considerations. Unelected political advisers were not, however, at this stage given control of civil servants.
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher generally accepted the traditional role of the civil service and usually respected those who stood their ground in arguments with her. But she did not suffer "fools" gladly, and woe betide anyone who did not have all the facts at his/her fingertips.