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Kier Starmer has appointed Sir Chris Wormald as the new Cabinet Secretary, succeeding Simon Case. Previously the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Health and Social Care, a role currently being held by Chris Witty while a permanent replacement is found, Sir Wormald is no stranger to high government office. Why, then, is this appointment causing a backlash for the Prime Minister?
Wormald was in his previous role at the start of the Covid pandemic and he, like many of his colleagues at the time, has not managed to escape his involvement in the UK’s response to the pandemic. Like many of his peers, he has given evidence towards the Covid enquiry and has been criticised by Patrick Vallance, chief scientific advisor for the UK at the time, for arguing against the need for urgent action in mid-March of 2020. A decision that will have undoubtedly resulted in the loss of life and one that plays into the widespread idea of the government’s complacency, something that saw the Conservative’s popularity plummet. It seems then that Sir Wormald’s actions before his newest appointment have not been forgotten by his previous colleagues.
Neither, it seems, have those who have been directly affected by his decision. The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Group has warned that this appointment reflects the fact that “those in power don’t take the failures during the pandemic seriously enough.” Barbara Herbert went on to say that the choice of Sir Wormald was “unbelievably frustrating and worrisome.” Clearly, Starmer has some work to do if those involved are to accept this decision.
This comes at a time when YouGov polls indicate Keir Starmer is disliked by 53% of the population. This is a concern, especially after Reform UK’s increase in the four potential options for the PM, it is unlikely any one candidate would improve his popularity to the extent that he is likely hoping for. As Keir Starmer calls for a “complete rewriting of the British state“, you would imagine he would be hoping for a higher rating than the one he already has.
You would also imagine Starmer choosing someone with more charisma or ambition to enact such a shift, as opposed to someone who “can barely hold eye contact, let alone show leadership” and acts as “fundamentally an observer” in meetings, despite being in such a high office. This appointment is not only being poorly received by those affected by Wormald’s actions within government, such as Covid campaigners, but also those who have worked alongside him.
In any case, it seems that Sir Chris Wormald has secured the position and those involved in government will have to watch and wait to see if the radical change Starmer suggests is implemented. There is no doubt, however, that the families of those who died during Covid, some of whom will undoubtedly blame Sir Wormald’s delay, will also be keenly watching.
Image: Thank you NHS, Kirkstall Road, Leeds by Stephen Craven, 2020 // CC BY-SA 2.0
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