For once, I agree with Dominic Cummings – those in the PM’s inner circle will be paid off with jobs

The fact is that people in the government are allowed to fail upwards, writes Salma Shah

Cummings has raised an important point about accountability in the system (PA Archive)

Naturally, a weakened PM will have many detractors lining up with their own carefully curated analysis to stick the boot in. True to form Dominic Cummings, one-time adviser and self-appointed genius, offered his Twitter hot take and produced a blog post on the latest revelations of No 10’s lockdown busting parties. Cummings, let’s not forget, is the original lockdown villain. A smug and ridiculous figure, whose own lockdown jaunt to Barnard Castle began the entire narrative of one rule for us and another for them.

And yet, he has raised an important point about accountability in the system; a frustration shared by many and one that is hard to disagree with. His (admittedly hard to read) tweet goes like this: “Martin > Ambassador (shd have happened 7/20 & almost did) Jack & Dan > promise of peerage ‘when noise dies down matey I promise’ Case ‘can’’t axe without getting my own throat cut, mmm, if i win GE, Day1 for him’ #forwardtovictory Carrie: finally Wiki/Cole for DoC! (trolley) smash.”

Translation: various senior characters will be bought off or “looked after” if they become the fall guys for the PM. In this instance, the principal private secretary taking a converted position as an ambassador; promises of peerages for those who may have to leave – and delayed sackings for the likes of the increasingly unimpressive cabinet secretary.

While we don’t know if everyone implicated is guilty, nor can we predict where any of those named will end up, this speaks to a secondary – more pervasive – sin in government. The fact is that people are allowed to fail upwards. In what other job can you break the law and still be considered as a senior representative of HM Government?

This attitude isn’t new, but is hard to pin down given nothing is ever said explicitly – but the understanding that we may have to give out an honour to soften the blow of someone’s departure, or find another job for a failing candidate, are all things anyone who has worked in government will recognise.

My civil servant friends would argue that they need protection from wayward, petty ministers – and rightly say that if one role doesn’t fit in the civil service, another will. It’s not unusual for people to be rewarded after long service, either; and though this is all true, it doesn’t fit this episode.

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We are not talking about the bulk of the organisation, nor the thousands of diligent people getting on with public service – but an upper crust who know how to game the system and survive no matter what.

When this government sailed into Downing Street, it was on a populist wave, promising change by battling those establishment practices that did not speak to the people of the Red Wall. Where is that sentiment in the cosseted existence behind the privileged walls of the rose garden? We should expect more.

When Sue Gray’s report into these parties finally comes out, she will have to recommend that either her colleagues or the PM resign. A middle ground is now impossible.

Those responsible should not be cocooned from the impact of their actions either. Too much pain has been inflicted for the country to endure another such insult.