Lord Kerslake: Jeremy Corbyn could become Prime Minister and Labour's manifesto is deliverable

Lord Kerslake, an independent crossbencher peer, said many of Jeremy Corbyn's left wing ideas are "not unusual" and are common on the Continent
Lord Kerslake, an independent crossbencher peer, said many of Jeremy Corbyn's left wing ideas are "not unusual" and are common on the Continent Credit: Paul Grover

Jeremy Corbyn could become Prime Minister and Labour’s manifesto is deliverable, a former head of the Civil Service has said.

Lord Kerslake, an independent crossbencher peer, said many of Mr Corbyn's left wing ideas are "not unusual" and are common on the Continent.

Lord Kerslake who as Sir Bob Kerslake was head of the civil service from 2012 to 2015 has been appointed to advise Labour on preparing for Government.

The peer disclosed that he had also enlisted a group of ex-mandarins to help Labour prepare for government.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Lord Kerslake said: “They are doing the right thing to take these steps to prepare for government. It is what oppositions should do.

“They are serious about preparing for government and therefore how they might implement what they want to do. In the context of UK politics, it is quite radical.

“It is not unusual for some of the things they want to have run by the state being run by the state in other parts of Europe. The comparison is quite illuminating.

“What might seem to some ‘blimey that looks completely outlandish is already happening in other places. Germany – for example – rightly or wrongly doesn’t have a major student fees system.

“Just because it is a very different path that this country has been on for the past 30 or 40 years we should not assume therefore that it is sort of completely new and has not been done anywhere else.”

Asked if he can see Mr Corbyn as Prime Minister, Lord Kerslake replied: “Yes. Of course in any democracy you can see that people can become Prime Minister.

“Why wouldn’t you see it as a possibility if they have received that level of votes and support.”

Lord Kerslake, 62, who is not being paid for the role, added: “In a number of ways this country is in quite a bad way and we should be honest enough to acknowledge.

“None of this is to be a doomsayer – I actually am a naturally optimistic person. The country does need a hard look at the policies that it has worked under for quite a long time.

His work involved briefing Mr Corbyn’s team on “what to expect in Government"
His work involved briefing Mr Corbyn’s team on “what to expect in Government" Credit: EPA/JULIEN WARNAND

“The two main political parties are actually coming to the same conclusion – that we need a break with the past, a revisiting of how the economy works.”

The work involved briefing Mr Corbyn’s team on “what to expect in Government and to talk to them about how particular policies might be implemented and what the issues are that they might have to think about”.

A team of civil servants were helping him, Lord Kerslake. He said: “I know people who have worked in the civil service who I can act for to provide assistance.”

The peer – who is sits as an independent crossbencher in the House of Lords - said he was coordinating a group of former civil servants who were offering their services to the Labour party.

Lord Kerslake has known Chancellor John McDonnell since he was chairman of the finance committee of the Greater London Council in the 1980s.

He said he found Mr McDonnell “businesslike” and “genuinely keen to receive advice”.

Lord Kerslake - who used to head the honours system - also said that the honours forfeiture committee should meet to decide whether to strip Harvey Weinstein (pictured) of his CBE
Lord Kerslake - who used to head the honours system - also said that the honours forfeiture committee should meet to decide whether to strip Harvey Weinstein (pictured) of his CBE Credit: REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

Lord Kerslake - who used to head the honours system - also said that the honours forfeiture committee should meet to decide whether to strip Harvey Weinstein of his CBE.

He added: “There is no question in my mind that his case needs to be considered by the forfeiture committee. It is really important.

“People think about the two tests as imprisoned for more than three months or thrown out of a professional body. Those are only two working tests.

“The key test – as it was with Fred Goodwin – is ‘do they bring the honours system into disrepute?’. And to me there is a very clear case to be answered in the case of Harvey Weinstein.”

Lord Kerslake said the committee would have to consider Mr Weinstein’s case if had received letters from members of the public or if Theresa May, the Prime Minister, raised it as an issue.

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