The questions above boil the current tensions between the Government and the civil service down into four options (plus “don’t know”).
Namely, that – simplifying somewhat – the civil service is wholly to blame, mostly to blame, partly to blame – and not to blame.
Over a third of a panel thinks that there is a civil service plot to destabilise the Government, and over another third believes that there’s institutional resistance to its policies.
So 73 per cent of respondents blames civil servants for the current difficulties. Only six per cent believe that they’re not responsible at all.
About a fifth of respondents say that “too many ministers aren’t up to the job and the Government is not effective”.
I can’t help wondering what the result would have been had that statement been put to the panel and it been asked to agree or disagree – but without the civil service addition.