Reform UK Outlines Plan to Expand Ministerial Authority
Reform UK has unveiled a sweeping proposal to expand ministerial powers over the civil service and remove legal restrictions preventing government officials from breaching international law. The announcement was made by Danny Kruger, the new head of the party’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and a recent defector from the Conservative Party.
At a press conference, Kruger said the plan aims to “free ministers from unnecessary legal and bureaucratic constraints.” The proposal would overhaul the ministerial and civil service codes to strengthen Cabinet and parliamentary authority while reducing the influence of career officials.
Proposal to Remove International Law Clause Sparks Controversy
A central element of the plan involves deleting references to international law from the ministerial code. Kruger criticized the clause requiring ministers to adhere to treaty obligations, saying it “immediately limits government action.”
Currently, the code states that “ministers must follow the law, including international law and treaty obligations.” Reform UK argues that such language undermines national sovereignty and restricts the government’s ability to act decisively. Critics, however, warn that disregarding international commitments would damage the UK’s diplomatic reputation and credibility on the global stage.
Trump-Style Reforms and Civil Service Shake-Up
Kruger said Reform UK draws inspiration from Donald Trump’s restructuring of the U.S. federal government. The party wants to grant ministers direct hiring and firing powers and to appoint at least half of senior civil servants from outside Parliament.
The plan also calls for reducing the civil service workforce by 30%, returning it to pre-Brexit levels—and closing six major government departments, most of which are already being phased out. Kruger said these measures would create “a more agile and accountable state” while cutting unnecessary expenditure and bureaucracy.
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Push for Centralized Power and Structural Change
According to Kruger, the proposed framework would give the Cabinet greater authority to make executive decisions without “institutional obstruction.” He said the goal is to ensure that public officials “answer directly to ministers” rather than operating independently.
He added that while Reform UK values professionalism in government institutions, elected officials must have ultimate authority. “We respect expertise,” Kruger said, “but ministers must set the rules that guide their work.”
Divisions Within the Party and Public Scrutiny
Despite its bold plans, Reform UK continues to face internal instability. The party recently expelled five Kent councillors following the release of a chaotic meeting recording. Kruger said Reform is evolving from an “ill-disciplined pirate ship” under Nigel Farage to what he called a “Royal Navy battleship” capable of governing effectively.
The party also faced backlash after MP Sarah Pochin apologized for controversial remarks about minority representation in advertising. Kruger himself drew criticism for suggesting that a future coalition could include “Hamas-supporting, LGBT-supporting nationalist parties,” later admitting the comment reflected “political incoherence.”
Labour Party Dismisses Reform’s Economic Claims
Labour Party chair Anna Turley condemned Kruger’s remarks, calling them “deeply embarrassing” for Reform UK. She dismissed his proposed savings plan as “based on false premises,” noting that most of the government offices targeted for closure “are already being shut.”
Turley also accused the party of inconsistency, claiming that Reform “overpromised local savings while raising council taxes and cutting services.” Opposition MPs argue that the proposal exposes Reform’s lack of research and practical planning in economic policy.
Reform UK Positions Itself for Radical Government Overhaul
Kruger defended the plan as a genuine attempt to restore accountability and empower elected representatives. He insisted that Reform UK does not seek to dismantle essential institutions but to pursue “deep structural change” that rebalances power toward ministers.
He said the party “respects the armed forces, the judiciary, and the church,” but that ministers deserve equal authority. While critics describe the proposal as authoritarian, Kruger framed it as a move toward efficiency and national sovereignty, an appeal aimed at voters frustrated with the current political establishment.
