The Scandinavian social model is often held up as the best answer to marrying global capitalism and liberal democracy – but it rapidly changing.
But, again and again, there is temptation to say nothing, do nothing and hope for things to turn around on their own. And that, in our current circumstances, won’t do.
From renationalisation of the energy and train companies to a bonfire of environmental and employment regulations, taking back control from Brussels has opened a new range of possibilities that were previously off the menu.
The two easiest routes to boosting prosperity are by increasing immigration and planning reform. This is a reality few newfound enthusiasts for growth are willing to face.
The Government urgently needs a growth package – to boost investment in energy, food, transport and other areas in which there are shortages.
His plan for 2024 is to say: “I may not be most exciting politician in the world. But I’m the more reliable of the two before you. What I promise I then deliver.” It’s unlikely to be enough on its own.
The High Court’s judgement earlier this week marks a major step forward in our plans and we are focused on moving ahead with the policy as soon as possible.
The need to review every deportee on a case-by-case basis gives campaign groups the chance to bog it down in legal trench warfare.
We need to give more time and resource to those bringing up children. Such parents need a much better package from the state to look after a baby in the first year of its life.
Such a move would damage the levelling-up agenda, dampen economic growth locally and nationally, and weaken the UK’s soft power abroad.
Foreign labour is an alternative to ministers facing up to how successive governments have gummed up domestic training and recruitment of medical staff.
The Prime Minister must make up his mind whether or not to see through a policy to stop the small boats – now an issue of profound symbolic importance.
Where there is need, front line staff like doctors and nurses are underpaid, relative to what they should receive, and where there isn’t, a whole host of people are well paid.
Despite the rhetoric, it looks as if ministers have given up on bringing numbers down in favour of anything to give the economy a nudge.
The time has come for us to banish the scandalous small boat crossings to history, break the back of the people smuggling gangs, and prioritise the world’s neediest.