Publications on Government & Philosophy
Jul
2010
Wednesday 14th July, 2010
The Devolution Distraction
By Tom Miers
Since the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999, Scotland’s politicians have neglected to address the deep-seated social and economic problems faced by the country.
This report calls for a new approach to politics in Scotland, based on honesty in measuring performance, radicalism in policy making and a generational truce on the constitutional issue.
Press coverage • Telegraph • Telegraph II • BBC • Newsnight Scotland • Telegraph blog • Scotsman • Scotsman II • Scotsman III • Scotsman IV • Press and Journal • Conservative Home
If you would like a hard copy of this report priced at £10 + £3p&p then please email: janet.batterbee@policyexchange.org.uk
Jun
2010
Tuesday 8th June, 2010
What do we want our MPs to be?
By Paul Goodman
Paul Goodman writes for Policy Exchange on what it is that we want from our MPs, at a time when the whole political class has rarely been held in lower esteem. He argues that MPs should be more independent and less scrutinized by officialdom than they are now.
He sets out the choice: should MPs be elected representatives, free to use their time and judgement as they see fit and not wholly dependent on the taxpayers’ money and the quango state’s approval?
Or should we continue down the road to professional politicians, answerable only to their whips, party machines and anonymous quangos, solely reliant on the taxpayer for their income and taking on mountains of inappropriate constituency case work for something to do.
If you would like a hard copy of this report priced at £10 + £3p&p then please email: janet.batterbee@policyexchange.org.uk
Mar
2010
Wednesday 10th March, 2010
The Renewal of Government: A Manifesto for whoever wins the next election
By Neil O’Brien and Ross Clark
Renewal of Government is a short analysis of the many issues facing Britain today. It recommends a root-and-branch reform of public policy, and shows in detail how to implement it.
This book proposes many different ways to make public sector organisations more dynamic and less bureaucratic. It looks at whether there are alternative, non-statist ways to achieve the objectives of public policy. And a consistent theme throughout the book is the need to swap central targets and controls for the right structures and incentives.
Across many different fields we find that the answer is to devolve control and accountability to the local level. We find that government policy fails whenever it does not enable people and communities to take responsibility for their own lives.
So in the end, the central message of the book is that central government cannot solve all of our problems, and must instead set us free to improve our own lives and communities.
Press Coverage • Guardian • Daily Mail • Daily Mail II • Telegraph • Telegraph Opinion • Telegraph Comment • Times • Independent on Sunday • Sunday Times • Mail on Sunday • ConservativeHome
If you would like a hard copy of this report priced at £15 + £3p&p then please email: janet.batterbee@policyexchange.org.uk
Nov
2009
Tuesday 3rd November, 2009
A Future For Politics: Ways to reform our political system
Edited by Tim Finch and Carey Oppenheim, ippr
In this short volume of essays, the leading think tanks debate the pros and cons of a range of approaches to putting democracy in the United Kingdom on a firmer footing. It features contributions from CentreForum, Demos, the Fabian Society, ippr, Policy Exchange and Reform.
Neil O'Brien, Director of Policy Exchange writes in his article In search of reform, not gimmicks :
"I think the key issues to tackle are the UK's overly strong party system and the drift of power in the hands of bodies that are not accountable. So for that reason it is not so much constitutional reform that is needed as political reform. We need to weaken the party system and put power in the hands of those the public feel they can influence."
Apr
2008
Wednesday 16th April, 2008
Paying for the Party: Myths and realities in British political finance
By Michael Pinto-Duschinsky.
Edited by Roger Gough.
Foreword by David Butler.
The case for urgent reform of Britain’s political finance laws, and for increased state funding of political parties, is generally based on the premise that the expenditures of British political parties have rocketed.
The extensive new research and documentation in this study shows that the reformers are proposing to cure a largely imaginary malady. Furthermore, the proposed medication could have a toxic effect on Britain’s parties and democracy. There is no ‘arms race’.
See the Daily Mail's coverage here.
See the Guardian's coverage here.
See the BBC's coverage here.
Feb
2008
Monday 25th February, 2008
Back From Life Support: Remaking Representative and Responsible Government in Britain
By Frank Field MP.
The concepts of representative and responsible government have been at the heart of British democracy. However, cumulative social and political changes have undermined the concept of active citizenship on which this was based, and the low turnouts seen in recent elections undermine the claims of Parliament and government to match either criterion. Back From Life Support, written by Frank Field MP, suggests ways of bringing those key concepts back.
See BBC News' coverage here.
Dec
2007
Tuesday 11th December, 2007
Global Political Monitor 2007
By Asheem Singh & Roger Gough.
In the first publication of its kind, Policy Exchange examines the strength of left-wing and right-wing ideas in the world’s industrialised countries. The Global Political Monitor 2007 concludes that we are living in an age dominated by centre-right governments but detects some interesting straws in the wind which might suggest a centre-left resurgence.
The publication looks at the electoral situation in the 30 OECD countries, 10 of which conducted parliamentary elections in 2007.
Tuesday 12th December, 2006
No More Tiers: Reforming Shire Government
By Tim Palmer & Glyn Gaskarth.
The local government system in shire counties is under pressure. Although the recent Local Government White Paper struck a cautious note, it is clear that councils are expected to change, while tight budgets increase the needs to find more efficient solutions.
The current system is confusing to voters and promotes conflict between different tiers of government. Yet conventional 'unitary' solutions are unattractive, reducing democratic representation and making local government more remote. Tim Palmer and Glyn Gaskarth argue that there is a better way: an innovative model of 'federal' county government, which streamlines bureaucracy and presents a unified public face, while power originates at a very local level and is delegated up where necessary.
Nov
2006
Thursday 23rd November, 2006
Science vs Superstition: the case for a new scientific enlightenment
Edited by James Panton & Dr Oliver Marc Hartwich.
Science vs Superstition – the case for a new scientific enlightenment challenges the common belief that scientific progress in today’s world inevitably entails an element of danger or moral uncertainty. While many people seem to lack the vision of a genuinely better future, the authors of this collection of essays believe that it is time to make the case for a more positive attitude towards the future – a future that is made better through science.
In eight chapters, James Panton and Dr Oliver Marc Hartwich show how our perception of science has changed in recent decades and examines several case studies of the battle of scientific progress against unsubstantiated fears.
Jun
2006
Wednesday 14th June, 2006
Compassionate Conservatism: what it is, why we need it
By Jesse Norman & Janan Ganesh.
David Cameron has made "modern, compassionate conservatism" the guiding philosophy of his leadership of the Conservative Party, stating that "there is such a thing as society; it's just not the same thing as the state". But many have expressed scepticism or even hostility to this idea. So what is compassionate conservatism, and how can it meet the social and political challenges faced by today's Britain? These are the questions that Jesse Norman and Janan Ganesh answer in their acclaimed new book.
"Superb ... What the Conservatives need now is not re-branding but an actual philosophical and policy basis for action. This book brilliantly provides that basis." Andrew Sullivan.
