philosophical approach

In all the recent high octane news about other pressing crises this speech and its setting out of Number 10’s fundamental new agenda for public services – using the “one nation” tag so popular with Disraeli and then Ed Milliband (strange bedfellows) – got little publicity. It is important however and I would urge you to have a good look at it. I think it begins the softening up process ahead of the public spending review. The article profiles the core of his speech:

“So let me set out some of the principles that will guide that state.

One: reform. What energises many markets are new insurgent companies, who break monopolies and bring in new ways of doing things. We can apply this thinking to government. So many of our country’s efforts to extend opportunity have been undermined by a tolerance of state failure. Children in care and prisons being two standout areas. Reform – be it breaking state monopolies, bringing in new providers, or allowing new ways of doing things – can cut the costs of these failures both economically and socially and help advance the progressive causes of spreading opportunity and enhancing social mobility that we should all care about.

Two: devolution. The best businesses would never shy away from allowing their customers to shape the way they improve their services. If we are bold enough, government can go one better by actually putting many of those services in the hands of local people. It is also a proven reality that money spent closer to people is often money spent wiser – so we can really deliver more for less.

Three: efficiency. Businesses are always looking at ways to streamline their functions so they can become more effective. I would argue it’s an imperative – a moral imperative – for government to do the same. When money is tight, it’s simply unforgiveable to waste taxpayers’ money.”