Big Society in a small town that distant authorities treat with disdain
22 February 2011SIR - David Cameron's plans for public service reform will indeed be irreversible if he can succeed in giving people true power over public services. But he would not be the first prime minister to find that his personal commitment was not enough.
Already, his spending departments have delivered him policies that contradict his vision. In fact, we won't have budgets for our families' health care, because GPs and councils will. Schools won't lead on their curriculum (in 90 per cent of cases), the Department for Education will. Neither the Cabinet Office nor Education nor Health are offering free competition in their services.
Clearly, no prime minister wants to change policy, but if Mr Cameron can address these inconsistencies, he would indeed have the chance to make a historic change.
Andrew Haldenby
Director, Reform
London SW1
@reformthinktank
