It’s a marathon not a sprint.
Civil Servants are subject to election purdah rules, so there are very strict limits on what work they can do, they certainly can't proceed with anything that might be seen as politically advantageous to one party. You're right to say that they don't have a month off (it's actually closer to two months) but I speak from experience to say that a lot of tedious filing gets done, certainly was when I worked n the House of Commons during election times.Parliament might be dissolved for a month but the civil servants don’t get a month off, they’re all carrying on with the work they’ve been provided.
Those working in policy and other areas close to ministers do not get any time off when governments change hand, not in my experience anyway.Civil Servants are subject to election purdah rules, so there are very strict limits on what work they can do, they certainly can't proceed with anything that might be seen as politically advantageous to one party. You're right to say that they don't have a month off (it's actually closer to two months) but I speak from experience to say that a lot of tedious filing gets done, certainly was when I worked n the House of Commons during election times.
The point I'm making is that the government will not be able to approve Universal's planning application before the election or even before the summer recess. There is simply not enough time for the required steps in the process (assuming it will be via Special Development Order). No amount of money, no amount of wishful thinking can change that.
Me neither, it certainly won't speed things up in any way. I suppose it does introduce a possible change in that the new government might decide that it doesn't wish to proceed with a Special Development Order, preferring that planning permission is processed, as usual, by the local authorities. But we won't know that until the new government is in place, and I don't think that will be clear until after the summer recess.I don’t think it’ll have have any material impact on the timeline personally.
Purdah doesn’t get in the way of nationally significant projects or any major government work that is currently on going, it doesn’t mean work stops. It means civil servants have to remain impartial, ministers still do their jobs.Agree with @rob@rar - purdah will absolutely get in the way. However, trivial effect on timeline assuming Universal’s decision is sometime in June so this is a good result timing wise. Get election out the way and crack on
Sorry this is getting way off-topic, but Ministers also have to observe purdah (or what is now called Pre-election period of sensitivity). I used to have a lot of contact with Ministerial private offices in the Department for Education and things do absolutely slow down during elections, not least because Ministers, other than a few Duty Ministers, are all off campaigning.Purdah doesn’t get in the way of nationally significant projects or any major government work that is currently on going, it doesn’t mean work stops. It means civil servants have to remain impartial, ministers still do their jobs.
Without giving away where I specifically work we’ll have to agree to disagree, but that’s not my experience at all.Sorry this is getting way off-topic, but Ministers also have to observe purdah (or what is now called Pre-election period of sensitivity). I used to have a lot of contact with Ministerial private offices in the Department for Education and things do absolutely slow down during elections, not least because Ministers, other than a few Duty Ministers, are all off campaigning.
it is going to be a long 7 years for everyone here ,,,It’s a marathon not a sprint.
Does this mean it’s a yes?it is going to be a long 7 years for everyone here ,,,
I actually think it does, Tomfoolery only posts facts! and there's three commas for extra emphasis, he normally only puts two as his sign off... or I'm reading too much into it and need to go get a hobby that doesn't involve stalking internet bombshell droppers.Does this mean it’s a yes?
Never mind! I’m confused and tired after work ha
That’s what I thought but I’m tired and delulu so put it down to thatI actually think it does, Tomfoolery only posts facts! and there's three commas for extra emphasis, he normally only puts two as his sign off... or I'm reading too much into it and need to go get a hobby that doesn't involve stalking internet bombshell droppers.
They can continue, but they cannot announce new policy during/before an election.Civil servants and governments can continue with certain projects if they are deemed significant enough. That's even during an election campaign. National infrastructure projects and things can continue if it is important.
I think we can say 'for definite' when NBCUniversal take the decision to go ahead with the project, and when planning permission has been granted in some way or another. Until those decisions have been made there's always a chance that things might grind to a halt or be overtaken by events. But I do think we're up at 95% likely to go ahead given the willingness, welcome and investment already made in the project by all of the interested parties. I think we're in the territory of "unknown unknowns" (to quote Donald Rumsfeld) being the only things that could stop the project at this stage. Something completely left field that nobody expects or has foreseen. All of the obvious challenges and the "known unknowns" seem to have been considered and the project still moves forward.I'm with Alton and Della here, I think tomfoolery's comment means it's going ahead, but then I'm an unabashed optimist... But it certainly is exciting, and I'm sure we'll have a fun 7 years together.