“Working in the Civil Service is all about leaving your political views at the building entrance. Trying to introduce them by the back door via lanyards should not happen.”
The Minister for Common Sense Esther McVey has declared that rainbow lanyards will be prohibited in the Civil Service.
Ms McVey emphasised that mandarins should refrain from expressing political views through rainbow-colored lanyards worn to symbolise support for LGBT rights.
McVey stated that the government will introduce a standardised design for all Whitehall and departmental staff to demonstrate a commitment to serving the citizens of the UK, discouraging divisive displays.
This decision follows the Scottish Parliament’s ban on rainbow lanyards in March due to concerns about potential biases associated with their design.
In a speech for the Centre for Policy Studies think tank, McVey underscored the importance of maintaining a politically neutral workplace environment within the Civil Service. She emphasised that the Civil Service should focus on its core functions rather than engaging in political activism through symbolic gestures like lanyards. Ms McVey said:
“We want work to be a happy, inclusive place, not one where division can be sowed and people feel pressured. I want a very simple but visible change to occur too.
“The lanyards worn to carry security passes shouldn’t be a random pick and mix, they should be a standard design reflecting that we are all members of the Government, delivering for the citizens of the UK.
“Working in the Civil Service is all about leaving your political views at the building entrance. Trying to introduce them by the back door via lanyards should not happen.”
Regarding potential consequences for staff who flout the new rules, McVey stated that such matters would be addressed by the permanent secretary, expressing confidence that employees would comply with the new guidelines.
McVey’s announcement aligns with her broader crackdown on “woke” state spending, which includes banning Civil Service diversity jobs and prohibiting the hiring of third-party diversity, equality, and inclusion contractors.
These measures have garnered support from figures such as Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Elliot Keck, who praised McVey for addressing what they see as excessive politicisation and wasteful spending within the Civil Service.
McVey also criticised previous government policies, particularly regarding energy and immigration, while praising Rishi Sunak for his pragmatism and leadership on these issues.
In response to criticism of the government’s crackdown on visas for foreign students, McVey defended the measures, asserting that universities have prioritised immigration over education for too long.
