Print magazine: December 2009

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  A job half done

  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

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  For this bill to succeed, it needs to think global

  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.

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  A House of patronage

  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?

  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

  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

  Alex Runswick: “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 the few areas of effective scrutiny in parliament) and rebalancing power from the executive to parliament itself are important. The Committee’s terms of reference meant that radical reform was never going to be likely, but they do move in the right direction. For those of us frustrated about the pace of change in parliament and who believe that more fundamental change is required, the challenge is to support what is good in this report and fight for more. If parliament can at least recognise the necessity of these fairly basic reforms then maybe there is hope that we can push them further.” » more

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  Another 'pathetic grubby little war'

  Anthony McIntyre: “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 republican political violence. Gerry Adams, the alpha and omega of Provisional IRA political violence, would be allowed to dig deep into British pockets in return for getting rid of the IRA. His party would ensure that the British state got the protection it paid for. No more armed attacks on its forces or trespassing on its property.” » more

  Devolved and Divided

  An executive paralysed by the opposed imperatives of shoring up distinct communal constituencies is precisely the aim of recent dissident activity, says Henry Patterson

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  A very British volte face

  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

  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

  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?

  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

  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?

  David Reynolds: “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 has ridden, therefore, on Michael Gove’s attempts in recent speeches in October and November 2009 to flesh out Conservative policies, and to develop a narrative that links together a variety of Conservative themes, from discipline to lower examination standards to New Academies. How persuasive have his ideas been?” » more

  Book review — The Conservatives under David Cameron: built to last?, edited by Simon Lee and Matt Beech

  Kevin Hickson: “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 Ten Years of New Labour. The book has near comprehensive coverage of subject areas.” » more

  Book review — The Conservative Party from Thatcher to Cameron, by Tim Bale

  Nigel Fletcher: “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’. With The Conservative Party from Thatcher to Cameron, Tim Bale has not only got a head-start in the publishing stakes, but has also established a thoughtful standard against which others will be judged.” » more

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  Preserving the legacy of Lloyd George

  Donald Hirsch: “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 budgets will coincide with increasing pressures to cater properly for new needs. As the number of people aged over 60 approaches a quarter of the population, demand for health care, pensions and social care will grow. Yet an equivalent reduction in the proportion of young people is unlikely to reduce pressures to invest in childcare, schooling or higher education. Will this result in an almighty battle between the generations in access to a diminishing public cake?” » more

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