government – Page 3

Do we need a ‘new settlement’ with Europe – or just a better sausage factory?

By Clive Bates Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted: January 10, 2014

In seeking a ‘new settlement’ with the European Union (EU), the UK government is ignoring the existing rules and procedures that should already govern law making, argues Clive Bates. Here he focuses on a current example, the regulation of e-cigarettes, highlights the broader faults in the current process and offers some solutions. Otto Von Bismark […]

The Blunders of our Governments

By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Featured, Whitehall Watch Posted: November 29, 2013

The Blunders of our Governments, Anthony King and Ivor Crewe. Oneworld Publications, September 2013. This is a must read book for anyone interested in British public affairs, writes Prof Colin Talbot. It is seminal, not so much for the insight it offers – much of what it says has been said before – but in the […]

Could Budget 2015 lead to our very own version of the Washington Shut Down?

By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Westminster Watch, Whitehall Watch Posted: October 25, 2013

“The last government defeat over estimates was in 1921 … nowadays any amendment would be tantamount to a vote of no confidence.” (Whener, 2010: p8). Could we see, in March 2015, the first example of a real conflict within Parliament on the Government’s Budget proposals, leading to a Washington-style impasse? There are several reasons to […]

Females to the fore in reshuffle – but women’s policy input may remain limited

By Francesca Gains and Claire Annesley Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted: October 7, 2013

As expected, David Cameron has boosted the number of women in his Government. But this strategy is problematic, argue Professors Claire Annesley and Francesca Gains, and may not address the lack of women’s policy input in decision making. Earlier this spring Andy Coulson, David Cameron’s former spin doctor, suggested that ‘Sam Cam’ was the Conservatives’ ‘secret […]

Parliament and Public Spending – interesting letter

By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted: June 24, 2009

I thought the following letter was an interesting addition to discussion about Parlaiment’s role in deciding budgets (see also my post on PF Blog) from former civil and public servant Des McConaghy.

Democracy Demands: Show Us The Money!

By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted: June 16, 2009

In the film Jerry Maguire, Cuba Gooding Jr. famously demands of his Agent Maguire (Tom Cruise) that he “show me the money”. The message (in context) is simple – no amount of smooth talking from his Agent is good enough – Gooding’s character wants to see the actual money. This is a good lesson to […]

POLICY-MAKING CAPABILITY IN UK GOVERNMENT – A CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY

By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted: June 16, 2009

Probably the most important role of Whitehall departments is giving policy advice to Ministers. It is therefore curious that policy-making did not figure directly in the Capability Reviews that central government departments have been going through in the past few years.

Public Spending in the UK: Public Sector Debt

By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted: June 14, 2009

The debate on the future of the public finances and especially spending on public services has finally come to the fore after all the diversions of the past few months. What are the crucial questions that we should demand of our politicians? Over the next couple of weeks I’m going to try to outline what […]

Breakfast with Brown: What Should The Government Do?

By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted: June 11, 2009

After attending the Prime Ministers breakfast seminar in No. 10 on the future of public services my overwhelming feeling was that the government is still in thrall to the tyranny of the new. An underlying theme was that they needed something ‘new’ to offer.

Blears: Joined-Up Jargon Queen Quits Government

By Colin Talbot Filed Under: Whitehall Watch Posted: June 3, 2009

Hazel Blears, Communities and Local Government Secretary in the Labour Government has announced her decision to leave the government on the eve of local government elections in England, in what is being widely seen as direct attack on PM Gordon Brown. “In this next phase of my political life I am redoubling my efforts to […]