My hunch is the next generation of aspiring leaders will have a firmer grip on the meaning of conservatism than the current crop. Or, at least, I hope so — otherwise there might not be a party to lead.
The ninth part of our series on reducing demand for government, in which we set out a programme for change – focused on families, civil society and government.
The eight part of our series on reducing demand for government, in which we set out a programme for change – focused on families, civil society and government.
The seventh part of our series on reducing demand for government, in which we set out a programme for change – focused on families, civil society and government.
The sixth part of our series on reducing demand for government, in which we set out a programme for change – focused on families, civil society and government.
The fourth part of our series on reducing demand for government, in which we set out a programme for change – focused on families, civil society and government.
The second part of our series on reducing demand for government, in which we set out a programme for change – focused on families, civil society and government.
The demographic tide can’t be turned back, but its advance can be slowed – by the self-reinforcing triangle of stronger families, better schools, good jobs, and the stronger society that these help to build.
You’d have thought it in jest if you’d been told that for £50 per citizen, a “Taskforce” drawn from the private sector would operate with a degree of independence from Whitehall, take risks and secure 357 million vaccine doses in nine months – all under-budget.
Considered alongside Lord Ashcroft’s recent research, Public First’s findings suggest that the challenge, while certainly difficult, is a long way from hopeless.
Couples are waiting later and later to have children due to the cost of living in many areas of the country – of which housing plays such a massive part. It is certainly encouraging to see action is being taken to reduce some barriers to building, but this should be done with more haste.
In his Parliament of Whores, PJ O’Rourke gave one section the stirring title “Our Government: What The F*** Do They Do All Day And Why Does It Cost So Goddamned Much Money?” But as my research confirmed in various ways, most voters do not see government primarily as an expensive nuisance.
The Cameron Government showed that benefits cuts are acceptable, even popular, when they are perceived as fair.
Many contributors have focussed on strengthening the family and the civic institutions=. That is an important strand of Conservative thinking. But there is also some basic economics behind the growth of the state as well.
But there is also some basic economics behind the growth of the state as well.
I want to propose an organising principle for policymaking: as far as possible, the organisations and institutions responsible for providing support to people should not be responsible for sanctioning them.