What is the role of private secretaries?
Sources:
Private secretaries play a unique role in the UK's political system. According to Dominic Cummings, they are usually young, bright individuals appointed to the Prime Minister's office to handle specific tasks, which serves as training for their future careers. These private secretaries, though not officially senior in the hierarchy, wield considerable "unofficial power and authority" due to their direct interactions with the Prime Minister and involvement in critical matters (e.g., Brexit negotiations and security coordination) 1.
Their positions are somewhat an anomaly because, typically, senior roles within departments are held by long-serving officials. Private secretaries work intimately with the PM, making crucial decisions and providing inputs that might not be visible in their formal titles. This setup creates a situation where these young individuals can influence significant aspects of government operations despite their lower official ranks 1.
Unconventional Power Dynamics
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