that somebody is working on Christmas to provide you with information. We are not talking about providing statistics to government. We are talking about providing information to you, the public. Somebody in the civil service is working at that on Christmas day.
Over my time in the civil service I worked one Christmas on an emergency, but I also worked on other special days (like Easter, or on Bank Holidays). I think I mentioned before spending time in the emergency room during the millennium – somebody spent the whole night there.
The queen today talked about the amazing emergency services we have. But those grey civil servants will not get a mention. And none of them will think twice about that. It comes with the job, service without recognition. If they wanted to make money or get recognised then they would work somewhere else.
Yes there will be one or two will get an award at New Year, they are the representatives of the group. Personally I feel proud when somebody I worked with appears there – I see it as a thank you to everybody.
And this is why I disliked the views of people like Dominic Cummings – who seemed to have so little regard for the civil service.