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‘Efficiency’ is the deficiency at the heart of the UK’s false economy

The Conservatives are supposed to be known, above all, for ‘sound money’. That’s shorthand for a party that knows how to make decisions that are, in the long term, more sensible and sustainable than their opposition.

Liz Truss’s trust in instant growth via unfunded tax cuts arguably sent the party past the point of no return. But Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt represent an attempted return to ‘competence’.

Given that the chaos of crumbling schools and hospitals is now acting as a visual metaphor for ‘the natural party of government’, it seems crass to point out the obvious.

However, as it still seems beyond those still banging the drum for ‘efficiency’, the obvious still requires pointing out. Maybe some glitter, bright lights and a bit of Coronation-like pageantry would help to ram it home.

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Last week, Parliament returned after conference season (rather uncharitably, the Speaker still doesn't extend recess to cover SNP conference) and reality began to bite. It is all very well swanning around Liverpool discussing your "mandate"...
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Walk like an Egyptian

You don’t know where you are with a Sphinx, that’s sort of the point. With its lion’s haunches, eagle’s wings and human face – the Sphinx compels and confounds. And then, of course, it...
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Oh, when the saints go marching in

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The Political Party Conferences 2016

The Labour Party will open their conference in Liverpool on Sunday 25 September, the day after the result of the leadership election has been announced. Jeremy Corbyn is widely expected to win re-election by a...
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Theresa May has taken to power like the proverbial duck to water - demonstrating a grip on her party and on her agenda that has surprised many of her colleagues. It is important to...
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July 11th 2016

She Stoops to Conquer

Theresa May's confident ascent to Britain's highest political office has sometimes seemed unstoppable these last few days. Indeed, as Andrea Leadsom quit the race - after a disastrous and rancorous weekend - she and her...
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