Who runs the country?

[Peter R]

I wonder why we continue to believe that politicians actually run the country.
When the pollies go off on their jaunts, sorry, study tours, does the country grind to a standstill? Nah! I reckon that the men in grey would breath a sigh of relief knowing that they can now get on with it.
It is silly to believe that politicians can bounce around from portfolio to portfolio like cards in a game of grab. They do not know everything that is everything to know, no way; the men in grey tell them what to do and then they go out and try and convince us that it is their idea.
A politicians job is to, first, get elected and then stay that way as long as the money is there. That in itself keeps most of them occupied. They haven't got time to run the country, and just as well that they don't.
( I have had a good little prattle tonight, hey!?)

Peter R.

[echnidna]

The politicians just make policies.
The public service implements them.
The public service is continually researching just about everything.
When they have sufficient research done on a specific subject they pass it on to the politicians who, in the face of all the evidence put before them by the public service, adopt an appropriate policy.

So the bureaucrats run the country!!!

[journeyman Mick]

Watch any old BBC "Yes, Minister" episode to get the general idea.

Mick

[Daddles]

I'm surprised you even have to ask. The entire world is run by my Siamese cat - just ask him.

Richard

[Peter R]

I'm surprised you even have to ask. The entire world is run by my Siamese cat - just ask him.

Richard

Dogs have masters, cats have staff.

Peter R.

[Iain]

Head of department and minder