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Inside the Mind of the Minister

Inside the Mind of the Minister

By: Tom Brown
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About this listen

Ever wondered what really goes on behind closed doors between civil servants and ministers? Inside the Mind of the Minister takes you on an exclusive journey into Tom Brown’s new book, The Mind of the Minister.

Hosted by Tom Brown, a veteran in policy-making and communication, this podcast reveals the inner workings of government relationships. Is it really reminiscent of the dynamics seen in Yes, Minister and The Thick of It? Through this exploration, Tom aims to restore trust and transparency in the civil servant-minister relationship.

Dive deep into the themes of Tom’s book as each episode uncovers the lifespan of this critical relationship. Learn what it truly means to be a civil servant and a minister, the history of their interaction, and the media’s portrayal of this dynamic.

With over a decade of experience collaborating with UN agencies, EU institutions, and governments in more than forty countries, Tom shares invaluable advice on improving these essential relationships. Whether you’re a policy enthusiast or simply curious about public administration, this podcast provides fascinating insights into political leadership and civil service.

Join us for expert analysis and a closer look at the forces shaping our governments, all through the unique perspective of Tom Brown’s new book.

The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants is available online and in all good bookshops.

 Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Una O'Brien on the future of the civil servant–minister relationship

    Una O'Brien on the future of the civil servant–minister relationship
    Dec 5 2024

    How can the relationship between ministers and civil servants be improved?

    Former Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health, Dame Una O’Brien, joins Tom Brown to reflect on the critical importance of trust and mutual understanding in this relationship.

    They explore how political shifts, such as Brexit and COVID-19, have impacted these dynamics and Una highlights the importance of investing in the relationship during good times to build a strong foundation for when challenges arise.

    Plus, does the relationship need a more formal support mechanism and what are the potential solutions to enhance collaboration and efficiency in government?

    You can order Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants today, out now.

    Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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    41 mins
  • The media’s role in government relations

    The media’s role in government relations
    Dec 2 2024

    How has the relationship between the media and the government evolved over recent years?

    Editor-in-Chief of The House and PoliticsHome Alan White joins Tom Brown to reflect on how media engagement with the government has changed, the role of lobby journalists and whether they can be too close to the levers of power.

    Looking back on his experience, Alan reflects on his own misconceptions about the media’s role and the fine line between being informed and becoming a mouthpiece for the government. He also discusses the impact of figures like Dominic Cummings during the post-Brexit years.

    And has the media’s appetite for news changed? And what direction will we see government briefings go under the Starmer government?

    You can order Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants today, out now.

    Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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    35 mins
  • David TC Davies on being a Minister

    David TC Davies on being a Minister
    Nov 28 2024

    Ever wondered what it’s like to be a minister in the UK government?

    Join Tom Brown as he sits down with David TC Davies, former Secretary of State for Wales (2022–2024), for a candid conversation about life as a minister.

    David takes us behind the scenes, sharing his first encounters with civil servants and revealing the pivotal role the Treasury plays on the relationships with the civil service.

    He also compares his private sector experience with policy-making and suggests ways to make ministers more efficient.

    Plus, David reveals some ministerial stories about Amber Rudd’s controversial resignation, Boris Johnson’s No.10 and Rishi Sunak’s hawk-eye for detail.

    You can order Tom’s new book, The Mind of the Minister: Restoring trust between ministers and civil servants today, out now.

    Music: Galactic Rap Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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    24 mins
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