With better cost controls and an attack on some of these areas of needless spending, Sunak and Hunt could show how you get more public services for less – and free up money for tax cuts too.
The ConservativeHome Future of Transport Conference took place on Tuesday 23rd January 2024. The conference featured the Transport Secretary, government ministers, local and national politicians, and industry leaders. The panellists discussed the future of transport, from sustainability to space; the role for transport in levelling up; and the work the government is doing to invest […]
The Government may be looking ahead to another winter of mild disruption, lengthening waiting lists, and protracted negotiations. Nonetheless, the prognosis is not half as gloomy as this time last year.
Monday’s speech and today’s announcement show them choosing their ground for the next election. And since Hunt may find no money for further tax cuts next spring, the option of a May general election is opening up.
All of the pieces of legislation announced by His Majesty today, including the Renters (Reform) and Victims and Prisoners Bills.
One can give the police more legal powers, update the official definition of extremism, and all that. But it won’t produce different outcomes without a sea-change in how senior officers approach public order policing.
Serious doubts exist as to whether the Bill will be in the King’s Speech. If it isn’t, then the Government will have abandoned meaningful change.
Senior executives at HS2 Ltd stand accused of having used misleading projections, shredded documents, and forced out whistleblowers to keep money flowing into the project.
This perhaps reflects the fact that with the Speech happening on 7th November, there will be little actual time for legislation in the final session of Parliament in any case.
The Prime Minister’s proposals for Euston provide the key: a new partnership with business to draw up a new, viable plan for a 21st-century railway between Birmingham and Manchester.
Some projects that had previously been announced were included, as were some projects that had even been completed. Some of the announcements related to local projects for which the decision to proceed rested with regional mayors not central government.
His three big preoccupations are a bit remote from the public. But his new approach has one unmissable virtue to it – namely, that he really believes in it.
On education, high speed rail and smoking, he will allow our country to pursue an ambitious and optimistic future for people, whoever they are and wherever they come from.
The elephant in the room is that, unless something significant changes, it is unlikely that the Prime Minister will be able to see through any these plans.
It might never become law in its present form, but it will influence whatever comes next. Ministers must take the time to get it right.