Sir Chris Wormald has been ousted as Cabinet Secretary. While Downing Street insists the departure was "by mutual agreement," the picture this situation paints is dire. For those watching from the public affairs world this is a sign that the machinery of government is malfunctioning at the highest level. Wormald is the third senior figure to exit in days, following Morgan McSweeney and Tim Allan. His departure leaves a vacuum at the heart of the Civil Service, with responsibilities temporarily split between three permanent secretaries: Catherine Little (Cabinet Office), Dame Antonia Romeo (Home Office), and James Bowler (Treasury). This fragmentation matters. In public affairs terms, it means there's no single point of contact for cross-government strategy, no clear line of authority for major decisions, and no one with the institutional memory or mandate to drive through the supposed ‘re-wiring of the British state’  that Starmer promised. The official line is that Wormald left over performance concerns, though others have said that his departure was far messier, defined by anonymous briefings and backstabbings. This matters because it reveals a government that operates through leaks rather than leadership. For lobbyists and public affairs professionals, it is a warning sign. If this is how Downing Street treats its own cabinet secretary, what does it say about how policy decisions are being made? Who's actually in charge? The revelations surrounding Mandelson made Wormald’s position difficult to justify. Wormald had ultimate responsibility for the due diligence on Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador. He was also overseeing the release of documents demanded by Parliament about that appointment. His departure, before that process is complete, raises serious questions about accountability. Kemi Badenoch had called for Wormald to remain in post until the documents were published and for a "full new process" to select his replacement. Instead, he's gone with a £250,000 payout. Dame Antonia Romeo is the frontrunner to replace Wormald. If appointed, she'd be the first female cabinet secretary. But her candidacy isn't without controversy. Lord McDonald, former head of the Foreign Office, has called for a "full process" starting "from scratch," referencing an investigation Romeo faced over spending allegations in 2017. With no permanent cabinet secretary, cross-government coordination will suffer. For a short period of time, there will almost certainly be slower decision-making, inconsistent messaging, and a higher risk of policy U-turns. There is also the problem of difficulties regarding navigation. With three permanent secretaries temporarily sharing Wormald's responsibilities, there's no clear entry point for strategic conversations. That fragmentation will persist even after a new cabinet secretary is appointed, as they'll need months to establish authority. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it shows that this government is unstable. A government that is this chaotic is less able to engage constructively with outside voices. But it's also more vulnerable to pressure from outside sources such as Parliament and the media.  But this departure points to a bigger picture. Wormald's exit is not just about one man. It's a symptom of a government that's lost control of its own narrative, alienated its own Civil Service, and failed to establish a functioning operating model just months into office. For lobbyists, public affairs consultants, and anyone trying to engage with the government, the message is clear: this is not a stable environment. The usual rules of engagement may not apply. And if you're banking on long-term policy commitments from this administration, you may want to think again....