What Does Jeremy Think? Jeremy Heywood, Civil Service and the Making of Modern Britain

Author(s): Heywood, Suzanne

Current Affairs

''From the first day that I started work at the Health

and Safety Executive I was asking restless questions

like ''what is the point of doing that?'' and ''does it

actually have an effect on anything?'' That is my

economist training, which I combine with an assumption

that things can be improved - and it is how I have

approached my whole career.''


''This book should be read in a similar spirit to Mantel''s masterpieces - as a portrait of an exceptional man who was always at the centre of events ... Invaluable'' Guardian


As a young civil servant, Jeremy Heywood''s insightful questioning of the status quo pushed him to the centre of political power in this country for more than 25 years.


He directly served four Prime Ministers in various roles including as the first and only Permanent Secretary of 10 Downing Street, the Cabinet Secretary and the Head of the Home Civil Service. He was at the centre of every crisis from the early 1990s until 2018 and most of the key meetings. Invariably, when faced with a new policy initiative a Prime Minister''s first response would be: ''but what does Jeremy think?''


Jeremy worked up until his death, retiring just a few days before he died from lung cancer in October 2018. This book began as a joint effort between Jeremy and his wife Suzanne - working together in the last months of his life. Suzanne completed the work after his death.


In a time of political uncertainty, this extraordinary book offers an unforgettable and unprecedented insight into political decision-making, crisis management and the extraordinary role of the civil service. It is also a moving celebration of Heywood''s life in the beating heart of UK politics, and a man who for so long was the most powerful non-famous name in Britain.


l Service. He was at the centre of every crisis from the early 1990s until 2018 and most of the key meetings. Invariably, when faced with a new policy initiative a Prime Minister''s first response would be: ''but what does Jeremy think?''


Jeremy worked up until his death, retiring just a few days before he died from lung cancer in October 2018. This book began as a joint effort between Jeremy and his wife Suzanne - working together in the last months of his life. Suzanne completed the work after his death.


In a time of political uncertainty, this extraordinary book offers an unforgettable and unprecedented insight into political decision-making, crisis management and the extraordinary role of the civil service. It is also a moving celebration of Heywood''s life in the beating heart of UK politics, and a man who for so long was the most powerful non-famous name in Britain.


l Service. He was at the centre of every crisis from the early 1990s until 2018 and most of the key meetings. Invariably, when faced with a new policy initiative a Prime Minister''s first response would be: ''but what does Jeremy think?''


Jeremy worked up until his death, retiring just a few days before he died from lung cancer in October 2018. This book began as a joint effort between Jeremy and his wife Suzanne - working together in the last months of his life. Suzanne completed the work after his death.


In a time of political uncertainty, this extraordinary book offers an unforgettable and unprecedented insight into political decision-making, crisis management and the extraordinary role of the civil service. It is also a moving celebration of Heywood''s life in the beating heart of UK politics, and a man who for so long was the most powerful non-famous name in Britain.


l Service. He was at the centre of every crisis from the early 1990s until 2018 and most of the key meetings. Invariably, when faced with a new policy initiative a Prime Minister''s first response would be: ''but what does Jeremy think?''


Jeremy worked up until his death, retiring just a few days before he died from lung cancer in October 2018. This book began as a joint effort between Jeremy and his wife Suzanne - working together in the last months of his life. Suzanne completed the work after his death.


In a time of political uncertainty, this extraordinary book offers an unforgettable and unprecedented insight into political decision-making, crisis management and the extraordinary role of the civil service. It is also a moving celebration of Heywood''s life in the beating heart of UK politics, and a man who for so long was the most powerful non-famous name in Britain.


meetings. Invariably, when faced with a new policy initiative a Prime Minister''s first response would be: ''but what does Jeremy think?''


Jeremy worked up until his death, retiring just a few days before he died from lung cancer in October 2018. This book began as a joint effort between Jeremy and his wife Suzanne - working together in the last months of his life. Suzanne completed the work after his death.


In a time of political uncertainty, this extraordinary book offers an unforgettable and unprecedented insight into political decision-making, crisis management and the extraordinary role of the civil service. It is also a moving celebration of Heywood''s life in the beating heart of UK politics, and a man who for so long was the most powerful non-famous name in Britain.

General Information

  • : 9780008353124
  • : HarperCollins Publishers Limited
  • : 01 February 2021
  • : books

Other Specifications

  • : Heywood, Suzanne
  • : Hardback
  • : 2007
  • : 560

    Find Store


    Can't find sites for this product.