While I am on the subject of politics, I am not sure how many people will actually have read Michael Gove’s Ditchley Lecture which was published at the beginning of the month. I found it very impressive: long, deeply historically informed (although it is hostile to the idea of humanists like him dominating the civil service) and helping one to understand some of the reformist zeal which animates the current government; regarding the times as being equivalent to the 1930s, when economic depression justified invasive government action both in the United States under Roosevelt, as well as, although this is not mentioned, in Germany. It demonstrates the possible justification for carving up the civil service, appointing those who believe in radical disruption, but it does not feel very attentive to some of the risks and dangers as well.

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-privilege-of-public-service-given-as-the-ditchley-annual-lecture