Welfare and Public Services
The Die Is Cast
Calling the odds of an unpredictable election
"...Everyone remember to go out vote, so I don’t lose my 9:4 wager on turnout topping 70%!.."
Toby Blume: Some thoughts on Joining the Government of Britain
The Chief Executive of the Urban Forum on his Invitation from the Conservative Party
"...nothing would be beyond the realms of community management with a ‘right to bid’ to run any community service instead of the state. Maybe it’s just me, but that’s really got my mind racing at the possibilities... perhaps a community-led Parachute Regiment is just me being mischievous..."
Economy is in flow, not scale
Professor John Seddon tackles the iniquities of the Gershon analysis
"... The more services are fragmented and batch-processed, the worse and more expensive they get... Gershon has it the wrong way round. Cost reduction is a by-product of the focus on purpose and improvement, not vice versa..."
Where do trade unions fit in the Big Society
Civil empowerment is an admirable ideal - but it may require a broader definition of civil
"...The Big Society is an idea that hinges on a political willingness and ability to rebuild the civic, religious, political and social middle in modern Britain... following steep declines in the membership of almost all major civic institutions – from political parties to churches to trade unions. It is the latter case that is testing the Tories' mettle..."
Banning drugs is a political issue. Deal with it.
The fall out from Eric Carlin's resignation
"...Science is a crucial element of drugs policy, but should it be at its heart as Huhne suggests? If it was, how long before alcohol was made illegal? ..."
When Universities Become Production Lines
Why streamlined higher education means quality left behind
"...how can the quality of education be maintained through a reduction in budgets, a streamlining of services and an increase in student numbers all at the same time?..."
