UK politicians could be inspired to replicate Donald Trump’s “extreme transparency”, the country’s former top civil servant has said.
Simon Case, who served as Cabinet Secretary for four years, praised the US president’s “impressive political theatre” in signing a raft of executive orders that range from trade, immigration and civil rights since returning to office on Monday.
Mr Case said it is difficult to imagine a British prime minister drawing large crowds like those seen at Mr Trump’s rallies and that politicians may follow his approach.
Simon Case praised the US president’s “impressive political theatre” (James Manning/PA)
He wrote in the Daily Telegraph: “With impressive political theatre, President Trump has signed executive orders issuing his commands across the reaches of the federal government.
“It is harder to imagine a British prime minister filling a stadium with adoring fans to witness the signature of memos instructing Whitehall to do this or that.
“Nevertheless, the extreme transparency of Trump’s approach might be something that more politicians in the UK are willing to try in future, given the declining public interest in and trust in politics.”
In the first hours of his presidency, Mr Trump pardoned hundreds of people for their roles in the January 6 2021 riot at the US Capitol, withdrew the US from the Paris climate accords and the World Health Organisation, declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border, and sought to end automatic citizenship for anyone born in America.
He also signed an order that intends to pause a ban on TikTok for 75 days to give its China-based parent company more time to find an approved buyer.
Mr Case stood down from his former role on health grounds at the end of 2024 after an eventful four years in the job which included the Covid-19 pandemic, partygate, rows around Boris Johnson’s conduct and steering the Civil Service through the death of the Queen and coronation of the King.