The United Kingdom is implementing a protocol inspired by the U.S. system and the Netflix drama "Designated Survivor," under which a minister will be deliberately absent from major public events to be ready to take charge of the country in the event of a catastrophic attack.
This enhanced continuity of government plan was reportedly bolstered following former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's severe illness with COVID-19 in April 2020. Insiders cited concerns within Whitehall about potential confusion and a power vacuum if the Prime Minister and other senior political leaders were incapacitated simultaneously. The growing military threat posed by Russia is also cited as a driving factor for these updated contingency measures.
Ministers on a rotation will be tasked with remaining in a secure location while others attend high-profile events, such as the State Opening of Parliament, royal weddings, or funerals, where a significant portion of the Cabinet is present. These ministers will receive training from security officials and be equipped with secure communication devices to respond to national emergencies.
During Cabinet meetings, a more junior minister not present in London will serve as the designated survivor. This system is understood to be an expansion of the "responsible minister" protocol, initially developed to address scenarios like a 9/11-style attack where the Prime Minister might be out of contact, necessitating immediate decisions, such as on shooting down a hijacked airliner.
One instance of this protocol in action was during Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022. Sir Simon Clarke, then the Housing Secretary, was absent from the event. He had been assigned to make emergency decisions if the Prime Minister became uncontactable. Sources noted that Clarke's agoraphobia, a fear of open spaces, was a factor in his selection at that time, allowing him to be positioned away from large public gatherings.
The 2020 COVID-19 crisis highlighted potential vulnerabilities. While Dominic Raab officially deputized for Boris Johnson, reports suggested that at the time, Downing Street's director of communications, Lee Cain, effectively managed the country for two weeks. This period led to a realization within government of the absence of a clear plan for such a situation, causing significant concern and what one Cabinet Office insider described as a "messy" and "panicked" response.
A government spokesperson confirmed that "well rehearsed contingency plans" are in place to ensure the continuity of government, but declined to comment on specific arrangements, citing national security reasons.