A job half done
08 Dec 2009
The final report of the Social Work Taskforce has many sensible proposals, says Eileen Munro, but fails to get to the heart of the matter: why Britain’s demoralised social workers are moving away from statutory work
Dec 2009: December 2009 Edition
Banking
For this bill to succeed, it needs to think global
08 Dec 2009
The Financial Services Bill contains welcome features, not least the imposition of 'living wills' on significant financial institutions; but to confront the real regulatory challenge, argues Rosa Lastra, we need mechanisms we can deploy in Europe and internationally.
Constitutional renewal
A House of patronage
08 Dec 2009
New Lords proposals allowing for the retirement of peers and the non-replacement of hereditaries also leave the prime minister with the final say over new appointments — a strange Labour legacy, says Donald Shell
If Sir Christopher got it wrong, can Sir Ian get it right?
08 Dec 2009
The unintended consequences of Kelly may be as bad as the scandal itself — but is Kennedy the lifeline he might appear to be, asks Michael Rush
Rebuilding the House
08 Dec 2009
The Reform Committee recommendations are not a panacea but they are an important start in terms of bridging the public-parliamentary divide, says Ruth Fox. Indeed, they represent the greatest opportunity to not just reform the procedures of the House but also to change the culture of the institution — but parliamentary time is running out.
For the sake of democracy, do not dilute Commons reform
08 Dec 2009
The publication of the House of Commons Reform Committee’s report Rebuilding Parliament is a small but crucial step to reforming parliament. The principles of strengthening select committees (one of … » more
Northern Ireland
Another 'pathetic grubby little war'
08 Dec 2009
The decision of the Sinn Fein leadership to become part of the British administration against which it had earlier unleashed the IRA was supposed to herald an end to all … » more
Devolved and Divided
08 Dec 2009
An executive paralysed by the opposed imperatives of shoring up distinct communal constituencies is precisely the aim of recent dissident activity, says Henry Patterson
Conservatives
A very British volte face
08 Dec 2009
Of the proposals in his recent speech on the EU, Cameron may have to content himself with the easier victories says Michael Dougan
Time for the Tories to make the welfare market work
08 Dec 2009
Any new Conservative government elected next year is facing a tough task on welfare to work. But what problems lie ahead? And will the Tories be able to learn from experience? asks Stephen Driver
A fractured alliance
08 Dec 2009
Media caricatures of the European Conservatives and Reformists are wrong. Not only are the Tories’ ECR partners more mainstream than they’re given credit for, but not all of them are as Eurosceptic as the Conservatives might wish. They face a hard time staying together, says Tim Bale
All Health Care Policies lead to PROMs, but not yet?
08 Dec 2009
Cameron is to be applauded for his support of PROMs, says Alan Maynard, but during his expected first term of office he may not have the outcome data he requires to lead the NHS into greater productivity
The NHS: facing up to the challenge
08 Dec 2009
The NHS is on course for the most serious funding crisis in its entire history in 2011, says Nick Bosanquet: a total redesign is required.
Can you improve education whilst losing the know-how?
08 Dec 2009
Education is one of those policy areas where Labour has traditionally scored higher ratings than the Conservatives, but where in the last year the Conservatives have moved ahead. Much … » more
Book review — The Conservatives under David Cameron: built to last?, edited by Simon Lee and Matt Beech
08 Dec 2009
This collection of essays is the most comprehensive analysis of Cameron’s Conservative Party to date. The editors have done a splendid job once again following their earlier collaboration on … » more
Book review — The Conservative Party from Thatcher to Cameron, by Tim Bale
08 Dec 2009
In the run-up to the General Election and in its aftermath we can expect a wave of new books looking at the Conservatives and in particular at the Cameron ‘project’. … » more
Health and welfare
Preserving the legacy of Lloyd George
08 Dec 2009
Few of us doubt that the next five years will bring tough times in the fight among different interests to preserve entitlements to state resources. An unprecedented squeeze on public … » more
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December 2009 edition
How the Lords might become a house of patronage. Also in this magazine: a special feature on Conservative policy, the constitution and Northern Ireland, and why the Social Work Taskforce doesn't get to the root of the problem.