Peter Franklin: Physician, heal thyself; think tanks, re-think thyselves
Onward seems set to propound the liberal and Freer the libertarian versions of the globalist agenda. Where does that leave the anti-globalist voters who now back the Tories?
Whatever happened to the Big Society? 3) Peter Franklin: The values of the all-consuming state or market both deaden the human spirit
Even in an age of austerity, government has plenty of power and assets, which it could on a small-scale, experimental basis transfer to the control of community groups.
Peter Franklin: “Allowing expansion where it’s needed will mean some building on the green belt.” An open letter to Dominic Raab.
“This is the most important job of your political career so far – and there’s a lot riding on what you make of it. On this one you need to make a difference.”
Peter Franklin: Ruling political tribes 2) The Conservatives. Gove is now in a position to emerge as kingmaker – or, just maybe, as King.
But unless his fully-developed vision of the future can capture heart-and-minds, I’d expect control of the party to stay with the mainstream.
Peter Franklin: Ruling political tribes 1) Labour. How the Left came in from the wilderness and drove the Blairites out.
Since I last surveyed the political landscape in 2013 and 2014, some ruling tribes have been cast down, and some formerly lost tribes have risen to rule.
Peter Franklin: Introducing GovOpposition. How the Tories can reinvent themselves in office. And who’s doing it best.
While the responsibilities of government must be shouldered, there’s no doubting the need for a time of renewal – one as profound as in any period of opposition.
Ideas for the Budget 1) Peter Franklin: Wanted. A Marshall Plan for housing’s excluded generation.
To reduce investment in infrastructure or R&D is to take away from the future – just as surely as running up unsustainable debt does.
Heresy of the week: Margaret Thatcher was wrong about “the enemy within”
The shrinking of opportunity allied to the visible influence of crony capitalism makes for a poisonous brew.
The new PC is harming the people it’s supposed to protect
Shielding individuals from anything that might trigger negative memories goes against well-researched psychological practice.
The routine harassment of women is a daily offence against liberty
Women have their freedom of movement curtailed in ways that most men don’t even have to think about.
How the cult of cool makes school miserable and ruins lives
When advertisers use images of impossibly thin models to promote their products to women, there are complaints; but the promotion of unattainable maturity to teenagers is also deeply suspect.
There’s nothing strange about the death of New Labour
From the perspective of 1997, a description of current events would seem like the ravings of a lunatic.
Heresy of the week: A richer Africa will mean more migration not less
Some – but not enough – economic development has the effect of making migration a realistic option.
More evidence that the vast majority of children are not being ‘hothoused’
Childhood and adolescence are vital periods of socialisation when young people should be learning how to be part of a multi-generational community.
The gap between wages and economic growth can’t be explained away
If you’re a factory worker who hasn’t a proper pay rise in years, the fact that the tax lawyers and brand consultants are doing nicely isn’t much comfort.