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In politically uncertain times, the UK relies on its permanent civil service to ensure stability, says FDA union

FDA General Secretary Dave Penman responded to the UK general election held on Thursday 8 June 2017

"As politicians grapple with the inconclusive consequences of the general election, the country should once again be proud that it is served by a professional, politically neutral and permanent civil service.

"As was demonstrated following the 2010 general election, when the civil service had the foresight to prepare for the possibility of a hung parliament, civil servants will ensure that government continues to function and that the interests of citizens are protected in the absence of clear political leadership. The civil service will also be there to provide support, expertise and guidance to the political parties as they wrestle with conflicting manifestos and difficult electoral arithmetic.

"Over the coming days and weeks - and in negotiations over our exit from the EU - Britain needs a strong civil service."

Notes for editors

  1. The FDA is the trade union for the UK's senior public servants and professionals at grade HEO and above. FDA membership includes more than 18,000 senior civil servants, diplomats, Government policy advisors, prosecutors, tax professionals, economists, solicitors and other professionals working across Government and the NHS.
  2. The FDA (formerly the First Division Association) should be referred to simply as "The FDA" and can be described as "the senior public servants' union".
  3. The FDA can be found on Twitter @FDA_union and at www.fda.org.uk.
  4. For further information contact:
  • Matt Foster, Communications Officer, tel: 07982 514 524.
  • Tommy Newell, Communications Officer, tel: 020 7401 5555 or 07738 729 145.
Channel website: https://www.fda.org.uk/

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