Downing Street's Power Problem: Adviser Blames "Political Perma-Class"

A former Downing Street adviser has sparked a debate about the UK government's effectiveness. Paul Ovenden claims a "political perma-class" is distracting ministers from public priorities. Ovenden criticized what he called the "sheer weirdness of how Whitehall spends its time." He suggested lobbying by this permanent political network shifts focus away from voters' key concerns. However, Whitehall experts counter that the government already holds the power to act. They argue that Downing Street's failure to exercise control is its own responsibility. The comments have prompted wider questions about how Prime Minister Keir Starmer's administration is managing its authority and the civil service.