There are three main constitutional principles underpinning the civil service.
(a) Permanence. The principle of permanence means that the civil service does not change hands with each new government. This creates a pool of people with specialist skills and experience on which ministers can draw.
(b) Political neutrality. It is important, if the civil service is to serve successive ministries from different parties, that it is politically neutral. While lower level civil servants are allowed to engage in political activity, those employed in higher grades are prevented from doing so at a national level.
(c) Anonymity. This is important in maintaining the essential political neutrality of the civil service. It also reflects the concept that it is the minister, and not his or her servants, who is responsible for the actions of the department.