Why should the permanent executive work under the political executive?

Correct answer: Because policy direction comes from elected leadership accountable to the people

Correct answer: A. The permanent executive consists mainly of civil servants who remain in service when governments change. They provide experience, technical knowledge, and administrative continuity. The political executive consists of elected or politically appointed ministers who decide the broad direction of public policy and are answerable to citizens through elected institutions. Therefore, civil servants implement policies under the guidance of the political executive, while both must follow the Constitution and law. A is correct because elected leaders provide democratically accountable policy direction. B is wrong because civil servants are expected to administer impartially, not conduct party campaigns as part of their official role. C is wrong because ministers are political office-holders, not permanent employees. D is wrong because courts do not run government departments. Memory cue: “Permanent executive supplies expertise; political executive supplies accountable direction.”