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The Reformer

Autumn 2019 Table of Contents

Edited by Stephanie Reeves

Public services One Nation 1and society 2Britain 3in action 9–31 32–43 44–55

The Business and 4environment 5the economy 680–91 56–67 68–79

The future of The Global 7Conservative and 8Britain Unionist Party 100–105 92–99 We live in challenging times. Political identity is breaking Chairman’s down, the old norms of left and right are being tested, and a new populism is taking root in democracies across the Foreword western world. Added to that, the new political divide is more often generational, with younger voters switched off from a Conservative Party that has spent a decade cleaning the mess of the financial crisis.

How should the Conservative party respond, how do we reboot capitalism and reform our party – as we have done over decades – to connect with a new generation of voters?

Across eight chapters, with contributions from parliamentarians in both houses and TRG members of all ages, this publication explores some ideas to do just that.

At a time when a single issue – the UK’s relationship with the – has dominated political discussion for the past four years, crowding out all other policy making, Owen Meredith this special edition of The Reformer is a collection of ideas, National Chairman, TRG in articles of varying length and detail to help move the domestic agenda forward.

This document is an aide to discussion, designed to inspire creative policy thinking; it is not a manifesto. The views expressed are those of the author of each article, with contributors invited to write a piece which would “start a conversation and demonstrate a range of thinking about how compassionate, pragmatic, One Nation Conservative values can provide solutions to today’s social, economic and political challenges.”

From public services to global Britain, through the environment, business and the economy, to localism, these pages explore how One Nation can work in action and how the Conservative Party can maintain its position as the oldest, most successful party in the western world; delivering a prosperous, sustainable future for all.

I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to write for The Reformer and I hope it gives readers some inspiration and provokes debate. I invite you to join the discussion on the forum pages at www.trg.org.uk and if you’re not already a member, please join the TRG and help strengthen our network. TRG is an independent group which brings together About members and friends of the Conservative Party to promote the values of One Nation Conservatism. First established in 1975, TRG seeks to ensure the Conservative Party governs within the One Nation tradition. TRG advocates the benefits of a society founded on freedom, individual responsibility and community. It brings together members and supporters of the Conservative Party who share this approach to . Over the last four decades the TRG has promoted compassionate Conservative ideas founded in realistic economic policy, generous and open-minded social policy and internationalist foreign policy. The strength of TRG lies in the breadth of its membership which is drawn from all ages, backgrounds and walks of life. Members include parliamentarians, councillors, association officers and private individuals from all parts of the . TRG has a busy events calendar of round table policy discussions, drinks receptions and gala dinner events. Speakers range from leading Conservative thinkers, MPs, Peers and Cabinet Ministers. The Group also seeks to influence public debate and Government policy through a programme of campaigns and publications. TRG is recognised as the authentic and authoritative voice of moderate, throughout the Party. It is the home of the One Nation movement in Britain. 1 Public services and society 10 Reforming the Curriculum 11 and the importance for the Arts and Music

At the outset of his administration, Biography and of the failure of regulation to protect secondary schools, there is now no that hero of One Nation Toryism, Lord Black of Brentwood the position of the arts. And we now music provision at all, which has had a (Guy Black) has been a Disraeli, rightly said that ‘upon have an indefensible situation where dramatic impact on the number of pupils Conservative Member of the the education of the people since 2009. these subjects are flourishing taking GCSE music, down by 25% since of this country the fate of the in independent schools – producing we came to office. The figures for A level country depends.’ He has a long career in the a two tier system, where the privileged music are yet more shocking – down creative industries – both as can access the arts, but not those at 40% in the same period. Staff levels are The importance of education has been Deputy Chairman of Telegraph a state school. That’s not equality shrinking and peripatetic teaching Media Group, where he was at the heart of Conservative philosophy worked since 2005, and of opportunity, which has been is in decline. ever since. But in recent years things Chairman of the Royal College a guiding principle for our Party have gone wrong. The policies which of Music since 2017. for more than a century. These terrible statistics are damming we have been pursuing – with an evidence of the arts in mortal danger. ideological emphasis on accountability He is also a former Trustee The EBacc – which does not measure If they die out in state schools – and of the Imperial War Museum. measures and an indefensible From 2003 to 2005 he was achievement in creative, artistic and that’s what it looks like – the numbers Lord Black narrowing of the curriculum – Director of Communications technical subjects, and which therefore going on to study them in universities of Brentwood have failed to raise standards, but for the Conservative Party. means not just that secondary schools and conservatoires will fall rapidly. at the same time have had a deeply have no incentive to offer these subjects And who will then be there to train the damaging impact on the teaching at GCSE, but have a positive incentive next generation? We Conservatives of arts subjects in state schools. actually to squeeze them out – is central understand the need for renewal – but to this. It is in need of a complete and no profession can renew itself without The arts matter to us as Tories, and urgent overhaul, not least because it is a steady supply of new entrants who they matter to UK plc. They power the failing to achieve its stated objectives. can teach for the future. creative economy, which now makes The Government set a target of 75% of up 5%+ of our gross national product pupils to be taking the EBacc by 2022. Our new Government must look afresh and supports 1 in 11 of all jobs. Currently the number doing so is around at the basic tenets of education policy. a mere 38% in state-funded schools – a Where arts have been downgraded, They matter for our national identity plateau on which it has sat for more than reformed EBacc must value them. and place in the world – our performing four years. And the number of students Regulation must be reformed to support arts, classical music, rock and pop, passing it is only 17%. So this policy is the arts in schools, not ignore the arts. jazz, theatre, design and ballet are all failing to deliver any positive outcomes The curriculum must be remodelled to international calling cards of the sort – but is producing a whole host of ensure proper provision of all arts which we shall need desperately extremely damaging ones. All pain subjects taught by specialist teachers. after . and no gain. Equality of opportunity must once more be a central principle of policy – not And above all they matter for children. We Conservatives – who understand just a slogan. Music in particular has a huge impact the importance of a liberal education –

Chapter One Reformer The on young minds, improving cognitive should be in no doubt about how serious There is no time to lose. For our Party – ability, mental health and employability. the situation is. Take the statistics on which should believe in the musical and music, for example, although this is artistic life of the UK, value the creative Yet all that is in jeopardy because replicated right across all the arts. economy and want the best possible music and other arts subjects have start in life for all children, regardless of been so downgraded in state schools Up to half of all primary schools do not background – reform should be right as a result of the introduction of the meet their obligations to include music at the top of a truly Tory agenda. English Baccalaureate, of too much to Year 6. In an increasing number of emphasis on accountability measures 12 Boris’s Britain 13 should buy into a co-curricular revolution

What’s in a prefix? Everything. The oft misquoted advice to Robert Biography A strong co-curricular foundation will ‘Extra-curricular’ implies Redford’s character in All the Nick Weston is Assistant Head benefit the country by helping equip our at Packwood (Shrewsbury something added from outside President’s Men, ‘follow the money’, pupils as future leaders, entrepreneurs School). Son of a railway to the core academic learning is good advice for any educational engineer, he graduated from and inventors. Children that bounce of our pupils. policy thinkers. Working families Dundee University with a (literally, if you have visited a GymFusion educating their children in both Masters in Economics. After show), that have embedded resilience ‘Co-curricular’, however, recognises sectors are paying for ‘wraparound spending over a decade on Wall and perseverance, that have the growth that educating the whole child is not care’, after-school clubs, trips and Street, he now teaches History ‘anti-fragile’ mindset, will be the best and coaches rugby, fencing and a bolt-on additional service offered residentials, and with good reason. swimming in rural Shropshire. equipped to make an impact on the by our best schools, but something Education is an emotive subject world at large. From Forest School to that should be at the very heart of because everyone has been part of the John Muir and Duke of Award education policy. ’s system and has personal experiences. schemes, from didi rugby to high five Government introduced the National Ask what their ‘best’ experiences were netball, the more co-curricular the Curriculum; ’s should and they’ll recall inspirational teacher better. From a Britain of rising knife add the ‘co-’, benefiting our learners heroes and the trips and activities. crime and child obesity to something Nick Weston by preparing them for life in our (Sawley Junior School in the 1970s; better. As the Mayor during open, changing, global economy. trips to Eyam and France with Mr the 2012 Olympics knows, a passion Armit; rolling the cricket square for discovered inside the school gates Do the pupils at the school I have the Mr Breakwell!) Parents are spending can be the springboard to amazing pleasure of working in get outstanding their time and money not from wistful achievements beyond. It takes time, ‘academic’ results because we focus nostalgia, but for a complex bundle of dedicated school budgets, passion on things like ‘running around the modern-day reasons. They recognise and a buy-in from all three sectors sports field’, ‘jumping into gorges’ the value of challenges and active kids. and stakeholders. The nation’s new and ‘building dens’? Possibly, possibly Our local cricket club, Knockin and CO needs to place ‘co-curricular’ at not, but the two are deeply connected. Kimberley Knights, has over a hundred the heart of our education policy. Certainly the children that sing and children enjoying the sport every perform in front of audiences, the Monday night. In Oswestry the children that learn to be graceful losers gymnastics club has a waiting list. and humble winners, the children that The Shrewsbury Schools District host visiting schools and adults, that Swimming gala roared with talented dance, debate, grow vegetables and children and passionate teacher light campfires, are happy, confident, and parent supporters. In our rapidly well-rounded children. Happy children changing economy with rising pension are better learners. Certainly, too, the ages and gender pay equality, working child that has shared a wet and cold families are becoming logistics training pitch with her maths teacher specialists as never before. How many

Chapter One Reformer The or capsized their paddle board with of our creative, able teenagers make her science teacher, will find a deeper good ‘active’ use of their time between empathy and a better working 3 and 6 p.m.? Action for Children claim relationship back in the classroom 80% of Key Stage 3 children have the following morning. A well planned working mothers. A longer, more co-curricular programme takes years flexible school day, founded on a to develop and costs money and time, co-curricular basis, benefits but it undeniably benefits our pupils. working families. 14 The Lifetime 15 Education Fee Allowance (LEFA)

The Augar Review, published just Biography The solution? The introduction of a as the Conservative leadership A former Special Adviser at the new Lifetime Education Fee Allowance Department for Culture, Media contest was getting started, stated (LEFA) for every 18-year-old in the and Sport, Adam now works that ‘there is a near-total barrier in policy and communications. country. This would be worth the to progress for people who have He was in the policy team for equivalent of four years’ worth of tuition achieved a basic level of education the leadership fees – between £30,000 and £36,000 at age 18, but do not progress to campaign and is on the per person, depending on whether the university or an apprenticeship’. policy committee at the Government accepts the lower rate of Tory Reform Group. Looking at the most recently tuition fees proposed by Augar or not. available statistics this paints a And it could be spent on any level 4, 5 shocking picture of the number of and 6 course or module over the course young people who are given almost of their lifetime. no opportunity for educational improvement beyond the age of 18. This could be funded by reducing the Adam Smith number of university students taking In the summer of 2018, 411,000 18-year courses for which they will never pay olds were accepted onto a university back their student loans. And it would course and around 90,000 under-19s ensure that they, and their peers, can started an apprenticeship. For the rest, pick and choose courses, modules, or around 266,000 young people, or one other learning opportunities most suited third of the total 18-year-old population to them at each stage of their careers. that year, the opportunity for If everyone in the country had an progression beyond their 18-year-old allowance like this all sorts of education levels was almost zero. educational options would spring up It cannot be right that in twenty-first to cater for them. And it would help with century Britain more than a quarter the retraining and upskilling that society of a million young people leave our will inevitably need as we embrace the education system each year and fourth industrial revolution. simply stop learning. More than that though, it will create This is even more troubling when you a truly level funding playing field for realise that the Government spends young people and ensure that they nearly four times as much money on all get the same opportunities, not those who go to university than it does just when they leave school, but on those who go to Further Education throughout their lifetime Colleges. And very little indeed on

Chapter One Reformer The those who do neither.

Chloe Schendel-Chloe Wilson

part of the compulsory curriculum, be achieving what it should. If we are not preparing our young people for employment, and we are not helping passions, their realise to child each than what are we achieving? If we are and confidence their improving not self-belief, and creating active citizens in each and every community, than how do we improve? Embedding citizenship into the curriculum of course isn’t a cure all, but it is a start. And there really isn’t any harm in attempting to start somewhere. Sources https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe- 44625625 https://www.suttontrust.com/newsarchive/ life-skills-press-release/ https://www.ncsyes.co.uk/our-objectives- and-impact https://www.ncsyes.co.uk/sites/default/ files/2019-04/19_47_001_NCS%20Key% 20Statistics%202019%20V21.pdf The Sutton Trust has found that only only that found has Trust Sutton The two in five pupils choose to take part. As expected, it is those from disadvantaged disproportionately are who backgrounds disengaged, and do more harm to both also and pupils, experiences as their their future prospects. If education is meant to prepare you for the world of work, the picture is pretty grim, with employers that finding polling YouGov surveyed believe that a staggering 68% of school leavers, and 52% of university graduates, are without the life skills necessary for today’s workplace. Nearly employers, these however, of third one also believe that the life skills gained extra-curricularfrom activities, as such volunteering, are more important than themselves. qualifications academic itself in questions serious raises This about the nature of our education system, and if it is really deemed to

17 Biography Schendel-Wilson is Chloe Political Deputy Chair the of the Epsom and Ewell , Officer Campaigns the and Conservative the for Workers scientist A Unionists. Trade & has she background, by the in experience working Education Higher Healthcare, sectors. Government Local and Last year she was part of the team that got cannabis legalised for medicinal use in the UK, and got the subject of drug reform on the mainstream agenda. political

social mobility and social engagement, social mobilitysocial and particularly disadvantaged in communities. The evidence of its impact has been overwhelming, with stats showing own organisation’s the that 82% of young people who have taken part feel ‘more positive about backgrounds’, different from those while those who took part from disadvantaged groups increased Higher participation in their 50%. staggering a by Education activities extra-curricular course, Of are on offer to all school pupils in varying forms, but as they are not often has been floating around Government for several years now, and the seen now has NCS run Cabinet-office over 500,000 young people take part in social action projects since it was first into out students Sending launched. their communities each summer, it cohesion, social promote to aims in Westminster, by being involved in student volunteering, my view on unique slightly perhaps a is education one. But whilst I was President of Bournemouth at Union Students the University, it was one that I saw time and time again. From the student journalists who ended up at the BBC to the environmental activists who walked straight into jobs out in the field, it was those who found time to take their head out of their books from time to time who appeared to go the furthest. out found who ones the were They and was really passion their what in confidence developed the they networks that the themselves and it. pursue to order needed in Despite the controversy at Rory’s idea and attitude this announcement,

by President Macron in France, but both outdoor and community based; in Rory’s own words, way of us coming ‘A as and communities as together, of sense a together people. Bringing national pride.’ An acquired taste, as Rory himself, it was criticised across the board, but personally, if not in its exact format, the idea itself, and the citizenship of role the conversation on in education, is one that I believewas overdue. long Being a graduate from a post-92 university, whose journey went from studying a science degree to working a name for himself, both amongst Conservative Party members and the public. Peculiar for some and a breath of fresh air for others, with his presence on social media and his walks up and down the country, there was no doubt at all that he added a new dynamic into the mix, and livened up the debate for all of us. much promoted idea, policy which One debate both in the media and in the Conservative Party itself, was Rory’s Service, Citizen National proposal for compulsoryuniversal every and for young person It was at 16. not a military service, been implemented has as us will be forgetting in a hurry. , the ex-Secretary of State Development, and International for his threw Minister, Prisons former hat into the ring and certainly made As I write this, Boris Johnson has exactly for Minister Prime the been leadership Tory the and week, a contest already feels like a lifetime candidate, one was There ago. of none sure I’m that however, Citizenship in the curriculum

16 Chapter One The Reformer 18 Does policing need 19 governance reform?

London, like any big city, has a Biography The estimates facing the nation as a whole. Does problem with crime. Josh is Councillor for Stanley there are 1,500 county lines throughout governance of policing need reform? Ward in the Royal Borough of the UK, with the drugs being trafficked Almost certainly. Does resourcing need Kensington and Chelsea. He is Over 910,000 crimes were reported in also a member of the TRG since worth an estimated £500 million. Knife evaluating? Absolutely. The PCCs have London between February 2018 and 2016 and sits on its Events crime and violent crime are major issues not resulted in better policing. The February 2019. This is an increase sub-committee. as well, especially in the West Midlands, has not resulted in of 20,000 from 2017-18 and a rise of Merseyside, South Yorkshire, West better police accountability or funding. 150,000 since 2014-15, when Boris Yorkshire, South and Greater Evidence for that speaks for itself. So Johnson was Mayor. There were 135 . It’s very welcome that the what’s the answer? Firstly, policing homicides in 2018 – the highest since Prime Minister has announced funding should not be political. Fighting to 2008. My ward of Stanley in Kensington for an extra 20,000 police officers over keep the streets safe should be a priority and Chelsea is not immune. The ward the next three years, but money alone without the need for political mud had 288 reports of violent criminal will not solve all the issues. slinging. There is arguably a case for activity between June 2018 and May policing to be outside the political Josh Rendall 2019, with anti-social behaviour coming The problem is a fractured and sphere, but how will that work? Policing a close second with 258 reports. fragmented policing landscape. Police absolutely needs to be accountable to and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), the public, but the current system has Since was elected Mayor introduced in 2012 for and Wales not really achieved those aims. The of London in 2016 he has clashed to make policing more democratic, have health reforms of 2012 took the NHS repeatedly and publicly with the had their legitimacy undermined by low out of the political structures, for better Government on a wide range of issues, turnout during elections. Turnout initially or worse, and have seen its policies and including fighting crime. These very in 2012 did not even bring out 10% of the direction set by the NHS itself. Should public displays of playing politics with electorate, with the Essex PCC elected the same be said of the police? Whatever policing are a distraction. The Mayor on less than 5% of the vote. Although the outcome for a potential Royal claiming that ‘Tory cuts’ are the sole turnout has increased somewhat, up to Commission, what is needed is an end problem for London’s crime does not 25% in 2016, it’s still too woefully low to to the blame game and the culture of the help the situation. This also contradicts add any real legitimacy. politicisation of policing. There is a need ’s , to get to the root of the problem – to where he gave £100 million extra to The devolution of policing to the reduce crime and make people feel safe. police forces to combat knife crime. in 1998 and London, for example, has seen a 52% reforming the police service in Northern With crime in London at a high and knife increase in knife crime since Khan came Ireland in 2000 has added to the mix of crime on the rise, the police and their to office. The Mayor, while accepting the policing responsibilities. Such is the resources should be used where and money, also then blamed austerity for fragmented nature of the 45 police when they are needed. To reduce the a rise in crime, instead of working with forces across the UK that five former 910,000 crimes in the city, and in other the Government and the resources Commissioners of the Metropolitan parts of the UK, a serious conversation

Chapter One Reformer The he already has. Instead of spending Police plus three former senior police needs to be had. How do we fight crime, extra on policing with his vast City Hall officers have written an open letter keep police accountable, lower the budget, he spent £3 million on PR and to calling for a Royal bureaucracy and end the blame game? £400,000 on a beach party in Newham, Commission into the future of policing. Do the fragmented police forces need amongst other vanity projects. merging? There is no easy answer, However, with London being the prime but the conversation must be had Crime is a growing problem for focus of media attention, the city is the sooner rather than later. communities outside London, too. epicentre for the wider policing issues

paying rent, they can access the economic and cultural giving opportunities available, them a new hope for the future. There is no easy quick fix or buzz words to make this happen, but I believe that by supporting the most vulnerable in society we can really start to make an impact on where is This local communities. Children’s Centres play a pivotal role for families and the local Conservative the of perception Party: a party that identifies with assists and inequality social grassroots a at neighbourhoods level. According to the Joseph ‘higher Foundation, Rowntree switching the and turnout between parties low- mean income voters could be key to the outcome of the next election’. General Emma Sims Emma

Of course, there is, as we know, ‘no is governance Financial tree’. money priorities important change, hugely and but here’s the thing — it’s the headlines that are a devastating read: ‘Don’t cut our lifeline:Parents’ fears over children’s centre closures’ – , Jan 2019. This directly affects the public perception of the Tory Party as out and support with family life. There is of course, a place for the larger, more formal approach, but local groups are where we should be putting our where cohesion is Social thoughts. we should be focusing our next step forward for the marginalised in our society. must We take the long view, but we need to do it now, we need to let our issues. their board on take communities In my experience these people want to aspire, they want jobs and the benefits of working. Wasn’t this what the was about? A fairer society. We need to create the wealth profile, so people know that by having a job and of touch with communities and the marginalised of society. This is not a headline we should be reading. This is not caring conservatism. These closures are hampering social mobility children of thousands result a as and are missing out on vital services. What I feel we should be doing is devolving to the community in these socially marginalised areas, working with local groups, Clubs Youth and Sporting Clubs. Here is where we can start to tackle the major problem we have, and it’s not just about the crime aspect. should We want to give these independence their back families employment education, through 21 Biography Emma Sims is a Journalist for BBC radio. She is also the author of Children’s Books and a script writer. She is also a Stroud. in Councillor District

The to get one’s life back on track, a chance to be somebody again, a chance to become a part of society andenjoy life. The influence of these people in the is group economic social, same so fundamentally important; the help to community comes together each other, find the necessary resources, tap into outreach when necessary; but significantly, with the right support and direction, these people and their families can be given the chance to grow. And it doesn’t have to be on a large scale. I know this from personal being experience whilst involved with a local centre in a very deprived area. The community hub currently works with just a small grant the there, Council; Town the from support practical, simple focuses on and important aspects of family life, and employment, childcare as such cooking. This actually worksand gives which families, the to confidence such filters through every aspect of the community – it’s infectious. When the centre was under threat of being cut, the good old Labour Party stepped in to take up the cause. The families said to me, ‘I thought you cared’. I said, ‘I do,’ a Conservative’.‘I’m siblingsand peers. The Early Help approach, an initiative run by some umbrella the under Centres Children’s tackle this helps council, local their of issue by providing safeguarding, family help and core services to support a family’s needs right up until a child problem the starts school. Tackling before it has even begun is where I believe we need to focus our attention. It’s the community environment that chance a opportunities and projects

the Just About Managing (JAM) (JAM) About Managing Just the families, people in poverty and the socially marginalised in our society are the very people that need support and nurture. accept We that the poverty trap of low-income families affects parents, with relationships children’s we want to get closer to a solution to problem. social increasing this combat We’ve started on the right path by low-income some that acknowledging families need help, and I believe that Children’s Centres play a vital role, because help starts locally. This is the ethos we need to project: it’s all about community and the people within it. Theresa along May, with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, realised that As a mother of two young adults, my protective arm is around them all the time, albeit invisible. As with every parent in this country, you especially and them, worry for now, as we have a dangerous and situationthreatening regarding was son friend’s A crime. knife stabbed a few years ago, thankfully not fatally. So, as the reach of this threat is creeping ever closer, will it become a statistic that all of us will be affected? I hope not. So, what is the answer? Well, there aren’t actual answers to this issue, we have a myriad of ideas being proposed from every sector of society; ‘bring back the Clubs,’ Youth or even, ‘send the wandering men young these streets with nothing better to do into the army – that’ll sort them out.’ Some of these notions are sane and some thought-provoking extreme, but the is nevertheless, this and conversation we should be having if Children’s Centres: Children’s our get to tool powerful most track on back communities

20 Chapter One The Reformer 22 The return of a 23 guidance service

If some freedom is possible Biography These developments reversed earlier Is it fair to suggest that our education- alongside the constraints of Christopher is a former recommendations: based attitude to those we were trying district councillor, author Society, guidance and knowledge to help was different to current Job and candidate in Gloucester can help inspire fruitful use in the 1966 election. • INCE REPORT 1945: ‘Tax revenue Centre activity? There was no of that freedom. for Juvenile Employment Service judgmental sanctioning. But it is also worthwhile’. ‘The pivot of life is the job’. realised that these are different times The Thatcher-type ethos seems ‘Enable employment which matches with consequent different responses. to have grown from her adolescent capabilities’. ‘No-one is likely to be The question is whether the cost experience. The family shop happy if work beyond capacity or savings have been worthwhile or are functioned through hard work and fails to stretch powers.’ they responsible or partially responsible careful accounting. Why spend for knife and other crimes, university taxpayers’ money on supplementary • ALBEMARLE REPORT 1965: 80 pages suicides, talents unused, negation of activity if family and school were including, ‘Many in the exacting and creativity and some unhappiness? sufficient? competitive conditions of to-day find Christopher Balfour the transaction from school to work The rebirth of an Advisory Service could In 1982 the Manpower Services particularly difficult and fail to settle also be valuable in explaining options Commission’s training plans for in employment. A job which holds if the Conservative Party were to ‘a better equipped, better qualified, interest and challenges abilities can reconsider its opposition to a partial better educated workforce’ were be an important steadying influence basic income as advocated nearly 50 cancelled. MSC leader Richard and the Youth Employment Service years ago by two Conservative MPs, O’Brien was dismissed by ’s has a special part to play’. Brandon Rhys Williams (‘if they got an successor, . Proposed opportunity of casual work, they would full-time training was replaced by • HOUSE OF COMMONS take it and no-one would have to know’) short-term ‘Opportunity’ and EXPENDITURE COMMITTEE YOUTH and David Howell, now Lord Howell, ‘Community’ Programmes. They EMPLOYMENT 1973: (on considering (‘there would be people not in full-time helped with the job statistics but transfer of payments to the work, but they would not need to have did not promote careers. Ten years Department of Employment) ‘If you themselves labelled as unemployed’). later, the Careers — formerly Youth separate the payment of benefit from Employment — Service the Youth Employment Service, you was privatised. are going to take away one of the props which brings some youngsters In 2002, a web-based National back to the field of guidance who Careers Service was launched. might not otherwise come in’. A college Principal commented, ‘Information online is not the same as a professional adviser exploring

Chapter One Reformer The the motives and ideas of a student. You might as well ask why pupils come to school when they could stay at home and read books’. Jeannette Towey

A small number of adults with responsibility for the well-being of the children We didn’tWe know if this proposal would improve outcomes but it seemed to us that it provided a few advantages over most vulnerable? DepartmentSources: Education, for after by looked children for ‘Outcomes local authorities in England, March 31 Justice Justice/Youth of Ministry 2018’; 2017/18, Statistics, Justice ‘Youth Board, ’ the current system, namely: · Daily routine and structure Stable education · · Stable social structures and friendships ·  That proposal was made around 15 years ago. Since then, outcomes for looked-after children have not improved. nowWe have a new Government with the energy and desire to improve the lives of the . Wouldn’t it be great if just a little of that energy was directed at helping some of the

25 Biography Jeannette was elected to the TRG Board She in 2019. is East co-opted South onto matters and policy for Region organised the first ever South conference policy Region East in May Previously 2019. she Political Deputy been Chair has for Area and Wealden District a Association and one over just for Councillor term, having won her ward in January and then 2015 again in May of the same year. In the last agent was she election general to in Horsham and Nusrat for manager campaign Ghani in Wealden. She has also several agented and managed campaigns. election local Before she became an avid campaigner Jeannette had a successful career as a strategy consultant working mostly with the public sector. The needs of a growing family terminated that and the campaigning took over as the kids grew up. She tweets @jetowey as

Local Authority key worker who would be permanently present to help and with them providing children, the guide a structure to their day with set meal times, study times and free time. the At sports activities and weekends, would be provided, just like in a normal non-boarding and school, boarding to encouraged be would children friendships reinforce help to participate the In house. boarding the beyond with go would children the holidays, local foster-carers, in some cases the live-in tutors themselves, so that the preserved. be could friendships school given to these children. It is inevitable, apparently, that if they are not adopted, looked-after children are likely to move between several foster carersor care homes duringtheir time in care. Whilst they are statistically more likely to they children, other than school attend are more likely to change schools more often. This instability is not conducive outcomes. good to Some years ago, working with an academy trust in Essex, I helped develop a proposal to provide a stable social and environment educational looked-after for structure children, which we pitched to the then Labour down. it turned They Government. proposedWe to build a boarding house attached to one of the schools which provided term-time have would importantly, more and, accommodation live-in house tutors and a dedicated In particular, we should look at the fundamental instability in the care

in the background of most looked-after their why suggest to children outcomes should be so poor. must We therefore look at the systems we use to raise them, and see if that’s where the lies.problem their dysfunctional families, or it may be because they have spent longer in the social care system. Either way, it’s not good. Beyond coming from families who are unable to look after them, there is little about that. About of children 1% are taken into care, the overwhelming majority through no fault of their own, and yet they are so over-represented in the system. justice youth Sadly, these children are failed in other ways too. KeyAt Stage 2, just over a third of the reach looked-after children expected standard compared with two by and population, general the of thirds achieveKey Stage a pass 4 only 17.5% in GCSE Maths and English compared with nearly 60% of non-looked-after children. So, the older they are, the worse their outcomes. This may be because they have spent longer in Half of all the girls and young facilities, offender young in women and a third of all the boys and previously were men, young looked-after Think children. Failing the most vulnerable

24 Chapter One The Reformer 26 Social Care— 27 a crisis that shames Britain

One of the measures of a civilised Biography 1. It will need to provide enough money with increasing amounts as the society is how it treats its most Damian is a former financial to cope with an increasingly ageing demographics change over the years. journalist, educated at Reading vulnerable people. On this measure population. Others put the figure higher. Any School and Balliol College, Britain has fallen below our usual Oxford, becoming President 2. It will need to be fair across suggestions for an increase in tax or standards with the treatment of of the in 1977. generations, meaning that today’s National Insurance will be controversial, those, particularly the frail elderly, He worked in the Prime working taxpayers are not asked both but politicians need to be honest. who need social care either in their Minister’s Policy Unit from to pay for their own care and the care own home or in a care home. There 1992-94. Damian was first In addition we need to find an elected to Parliament 1997. of the generation above them. is not enough available, and too From 2012-14 he was Minister 3. It needs to be fair between acceptable way to allow those with the much of the care on offer is of State for Policing, Criminal individuals, ensuring that no-one has capacity to improve their own provision substandard. Justice and Victims. In 2016 he to sell their own home to pay for care, to do so. This would come through was Secretary of State for Work and ending the ‘dementia lottery’ a Care Supplement, a new form of Social care, especially for the elderly, and Pensions. He was First insurance designed specifically to fund Secretary of State and Minister where one condition is treated on is too often opaque to those trying to for the from the NHS and another is not. more extensive care costs in old age. understand it, with no apparent logic to MP June 2017-December 2017. 4. It must lead to an increase in the the conditions which receive free NHS This is just like the private pension supply of care beds and retirement treatment, and those which do not. It is Damian is Chairman of the system, which for millions of people tops housing. also apparently unfair in not rewarding All-Party Parliamentary Group up their state pension. It would allow for Longevity and Vice-Chair 5. It should secure cross-party a lifetime of prudence. Those who have people to buy insurance at the level of the All-Party Parliamentary consensus, with an extensive saved feel that their savings will simply they can afford to provide peace of mind. Group for Social Care. consultation before the law is disappear, while those who have not It would not be compulsory so could changed. saved receive the same level of care. not be stigmatised as a Death Tax or Dementia Tax. People could save for Less well known is the fact that funding We should look as a model to the pension it over many years or make a one-off social care out of council tax means that system. In recent years the basic State payment (possibly using equity release local authorities are reluctant to allow Pension has been increased significantly, from a part of their house value) at too many care homes to be built. An taking many pensioners out of poverty. a suitable time in their lives. ageing population means that already At the same time most people save more than two fifths of council spending additionally through their working years to These ideas would take the burden goes on social care. This figure will only provide comfort and security in old age. of social care funding away from local increase over the years, so councils are authorities. No-one would have to sell fearful that all their other services will be Similarly, just as the basic State Pension their house and see their inheritance swamped by the rising demands of the has been improved in recent years, I disappear. Everyone would have the social care system. believe we should offer a Universal Care chance of receiving better care. Fewer Entitlement, offering a better level of care people would be left unnecessarily I recently published a paper for the both for homecare and residential care. in hospital beds as they wait for For those who need residential care this

Chapter One Reformer The Centre for Policy Studies, ‘Fixing the social care to be available. Care Crisis’, which dealt specifically with would cover the core residential costs. the problem of care for older people. Needs would be assessed locally but None of this is easy and it will take the money would come from central political courage. But it is absolutely A new system will need to meet Government. This would take away necessary if we are to provide peace five objectives. the pressures on local councils. of mind and security to frail elderly people who richly deserve it. My estimate is that providing decent care in this way would involve an extra £2.5 billion extra a year immediately, Ruan Tremayne

Seven years on from London 2012, 2012, London from years on Seven there is still little sign that the Olympic legacy of attracting more people – and particularly young people – into sport has worked. By placing more of an emphasis on success, immediate than engagement we can help to address the health crisis this country faces and spread the joy of sport to an increasingly wider net. 29 Biography Ruan is an Account Director at Communications Corporate the firm Brunswick Group. He Alan Sir for previously worked Haselhurst MP as well as an ex-footballers. for agency

taking the emphasis away from simply investing in sports where we can create elite athletes who can then ensure that we rank highly on Olympic medal tables, we should be looking at the physical state of the country, and spending money where it can do the most to create opportunities for the greatest number of people. the most UK’s successful sports are rowing, sailing and equestrian. All of dominated unsurprisingly, are, which by those from private schools. And these sports receive funding because of the greater possibilities for winning widely more other, medals, while accessible sports and played such as basketball have to fight to receive any funding from the state because of our competitive weakness. I appreciate that this desire to shift focus away from the elite to the as more read grassroots may something that you would expect to find in , as opposed to a pamphlet from the TRG. But you only need to walk down a British high street to see the health problem that we have in this country. have We issues that need to be tackled, and a Conservative government should be doing so in a way that doesn’t impede on personal choice in people’s lives. Thus, by UK receivedUK only one gold medal. So, at the moment, part of the incentive for sports to win Olympic medals is that they will then be likely to receive support. Amongst financial greater And this is where I would like to see priorities. fear its I change government that too many policy-makers’ views are the of embarrassment the by clouded Atlanta1996 Olympics, at which the

listing calories on menus as unhelpfully unhelpfully as menus calories on listing intrusive. However, we do need get people to encourage to something into a better physical state and reduce the obesity rate in this country without trying to dictate how people live their lives, or financially punishing certain choices. lifestyle is something that people have the opportunity do. to Conservatives,Many included, myself interventionist more the of some find policies regarding sugar taxes and as opposed to what it should be doing: become people to for easier it making active on a regular basis, and as a result of doing so becoming happier, the easing and citizens healthier burden on the NHS. It is vitally important to the health of our country that sport, and exercise more broadly, Sport has a unique ability to cross and together people bring otherwise social unpassable which something is it And divides. we do of our own accord, whether it be going for a run at the with football playing weekend, post-work a arranging or friends tennis. of game So, there is a question to asked about what exactly the role of government should be in how we fund sport UK across all levels, and what a be. priorities should government’s I believe that, as things stand, government is too interested in achieving success at the elite level Sporting success?

28 Chapter One The Reformer 30 Men and mental health: 31 An unspoken crisis

Suicide is the most common cause Biography to the development of negative feelings mental health condition, having a mental of death in men under the age of 50 Andrew has been a TRG about their own self – this is self- health board champion or organising Board Member since 2018 as in the UK. In 2017, 5,821 suicides stigmatisation. The same paper then events such as the Mental Health Treasurer. He works as a were recorded – 75% of these were finance lawyer, with a broad highlights the compounding and Foundation’s ‘Tea and Talk’ initiative men. The male suicide rate in the practice ranging from inhibitory effect of traditional masculine designed to create conversations UK is three times higher than that acquisitions to derivatives. In gender norms on help-seeking. on mental health in workplaces. of women. his free time, Andrew is Deputy At the root of this is a collective societal Chairman There exists a toxic and symbiotic awkwardness – a tendency to shy away of his local association, Chair The statistics are blunt and of Bright Blue’s Europe policy relationship between mental health from discussing a problem that touches unambiguous: despite male suicide forum, a school governor illness, masculinity, public stigma, us all. What mental health needs now rates in the UK falling recently, Britain is and law centre volunteer. self-stigma and attitudes to seeking more than ever is a candid and still facing an untreated and unspoken help. One point of light, however, is shamelessly open dialogue. mental health crisis. There are many that evidence suggests that information variables that lie behind these statistics and education about mental health Andrew Baker and any possible solution to this crisis can break this cycle by helping to will require a multi-faceted approach. reduce or prevent self-stigma.

Removing the societally constructed We need to ask ourselves what we are stigma that exists around men and doing as individuals and as a society to their mental wellbeing is a crucial first tackle this stigma, raise mental health step in addressing this public health awareness and support those suffering. crisis. Stigma is a barrier to the As individuals, there is much that we can treatment of mental health illnesses do. Simply talking more about mental and only when men feel comfortable health will normalise it and help address talking about this topic will they likely any lingering misperceptions. Similarly, engage with mental health services being there for someone who is and seek treatment. The roots of this suffering from mental health difficulties stigma have long been discussed but, and making clear that you are there in part, can be attributed to conformity to provide a judgement-free and to outdated male stereotypes and solutions-focused environment can templates of masculinity – the idea of make a huge difference. This can be men as a source of strength, with the first step in helping them seek phrases such as ‘boys don’t cry’ professional help. and ‘man up’ commonplace. Such misconceived notions of masculinity Mental health is still a taboo subject in foster what is termed ‘public stigma’ the workplace – 67% of employees still

Chapter One Reformer The and ‘self-styled stigma’. A 2014 paper feel scared, embarrassed or unable to defines public stigma as the perception talk about mental health concerns with held by others that a mentally unwell their employer. Employers should be individual is socially undesirable. playing a greater role in mental health Stigmatised individuals may then initiatives. For example, investing in internalise these prejudices, leading training to recognise the early signs of a 2 21st Century Britain 34 To help heal some of the 35 deep divisions across the UK, we need to properly invest in our people

Believe it or not, there will come a Currently people don’t feel valued Biography time when Brexit doesn’t dominate and they don’t feel invested in. Our is the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, every political discussion. Until Industrial Strategy talks extensively Media and Sport. She is a then we need to use this time about technology and places, but not former Mergers and to think more clearly about about people. And yet, how can we Acquisitions lawyer and has how we pitch our philosophy attract a business to a new area or worked in three major City of as Conservatives of small expect new ideas to take root and be London firms. She has been government, believing in the power turned into new and often ground- the Member of Parliament for Loughborough since 2010. of individuals and entrepreneurs, breaking technologies without the She has previously served as a safety net, and strong people to sustain them? Chair of the Treasury Select economic and Committee, Secretary of State as a direct counter-offer to the We need to be clear that capitalism is for Education, Minister for Labour Party trying to be the about people – our human capital and Women & Equalities, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, champions of a fairer society. their social capital – as well as financial Economic Secretary to the capital. We need to invest properly in Treasury and as a Government Nicky Morgan MP One way in which we can do this is by our people. Not only will this drive Whip. She is the author using the Spending Review to set out greater productivity, which should of ‘Taught not Caught: how we will invest in our people going result in greater wage growth, but Educating for Character in the 21st Century.’ forward. After all, they are our best enhancing everyone’s social capital,

assets. That is as true for a country as including creating a shared sense of it is for any organisation or institution. identity, will help heal some of the deep divisions revealed across the UK in recent years. Chapter Two Britain 21st Century 36 Mr. Men 37 and Little Miss

Wimbledon Tennis recently Biography I cannot use these websites unless I A final thought: as well as pointing announced that women players Stephanie is a member of the select a prefix – it is compulsory. Why? to your marital status, continuing use TRG board and chairs our would no longer be referred to of prefixes also identifies your gender policy committee. by the prefix ‘Miss’ or ‘Mrs’. In a No, seriously: why? No-one asks my upfront. The same point applies – why? statement, the All England Tennis Stephanie stood as a husband, Adam, if he is married when If you are ordering a Chinese takeaway Club said it wanted to ‘achieve Conservative council candidate he double-clicks on a Saturday delivery online on a Thursday night, who cares if consistency’ between players. in 2014 and went on to serve of Chardonnay. you are an unmarried man or woman or two terms as the Vice Chair a happily married person who is gender for Lewisham Deptford Thank goodness. A person’s marital Conservatives. Stephanie Women should not have to disclose their non-binary? Mr, Miss, Mrs, Ms, Mx: status has no bearing on their ability worked for the Conservative marital status if men don’t. The double it makes no difference to anyone to play tennis, nor any other activity, Party in the House of Commons standard is obvious. Thankfully, though, when all you want is Ma Po Tofu. job or role for that matter. And yet from 2007 to 2012. it is easily fixed. women in the UK are still routinely She is the former Deputy Chair asked to clarify their marital status for Breast Cancer UK and We just stop using them. Stephanie Reeves using compulsory prefixes. serves currently as a School Governor for Haberdasher’s If you work for a company who routinely At best it’s a hangover from an Aske’s Crayford Academy. She uses compulsory prefixes on their online assumption of formality, politeness is studying for her MBA and forms: tell them to stop. Tell retailers to works for a global beverage even, or it’s just tradition – it’s what we remove this from their forms. Don’t use brand based in London know. What we are comfortable with. focusing on sustainability them yourself on CVs and business Sadly these are so often the reasons and public health policy. cards. Literally just stop. why discrimination clings on. At worst their continuing use is still used to Our Government too has a role in discriminate against women (especially encouraging this, just as the French in the workplace). ‘She’s married/not Government did by dropping married – is she a good cultural fit?’, ‘mademoiselle’ from official use… ‘She’s married – she’ll be wanting to in 2012. start a family soon’. And so it goes. I fully accept that there are instances The truth is that marital status when people must disclose this continues to be seen as a primary part information and that many women enjoy of a woman’s identity in a way that it the process of ceremonially changing isn’t for men. There is no place for their name and thereby their prefix – this in the 21st century. it is magic and meaningful, but it is not

Chapter Two Britain 21st Century necessary anymore. It is a matter of A light hearted example: online personal choice. So, let’s actually make shopping. A woman is compelled it that. No more unnecessary to declare her marital status with compulsory prefixes on forms – Sainsbury’s, Argos, EasyJet, South ‘consistency for all’. Western Railway, even , to name just a few.

The Rt Hon Lord Heseltine CH

He has written books on Europe autobiography, political his and Life in the Jungle. His latest book, co-written with Lady The Thenford: is Heseltine, Garden, English an of Creation published in October 2016. an is Heseltine Lord and gardener enthusiastic a Vice President of the Royal Society.Horticultural

39 he became President of the Movement. European Biography Member a was Heseltine Lord of Parliament from 1966 to 2001. He was a Cabinet Minister in departmentsvarious between and1979 1986 and between He1990 was and Deputy 1997. Prime Minister from 1995 to He is founder1997. and Chairman of the Haymarket owned privately a Group, media company. LordIn 2015 Heseltine was appointed by the government as an adviser to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Within this remit he was Chair of the Estuary 2050 Growth Co-Chair and of Commission Regeneration Estate the published Advisory He Panel. report independent making an further to recommendations develop the Valley Tees area Commissioner a also was and Infrastructure The National for 2012 October In Commission. Stone No published he Unturned in Pursuit of Growth, how into review independent an the public and private sectors in the UK work together to create wealth. His work for the government came to an end in he published In 2018 2017. his government’s the to reply Industrial Strategy Green Paper – Industrial Strategy by – and most recently report a on published Empowering devolution, English Cities. In June 2019

a symptom, rather than the cause. So it soon proved, aswalked I the streets of that great city. It was a city deeply divided and badly scarred, without Everyoneeffective leadership. else was to blame, never me. Fast forward nearly four decades and we are well advanced in remedying that position with directly elected mayors with the co-ordinate relating powers policies to problems. and circumstances local to I have a simple philosophy encapsulated in a simple thought: the me show problem, the me ‘Show person needs a Such charge.’ person in to be able to listen and to articulate but, in addition, they need to be able to think through the wider context of the face. they headlines In 1981 there wereIn 1981 riots on the streets of Toxteth, a poor suburb of . The instinctive reaction was to support the police, and with this I wholly concerned was I However, concurred. that behind the rightful imperative to be might there order, and law maintain were riots the which deeper issues of

the over-simplification of the problem. the of over-simplification the So, yes, big ears and big mouths! But, alone, such attributes lack the ability to understand the complexity society. of inter-relationships and Complex issues are not resolved by soundbites and gut reaction. The true purpose of politics is to get behind the the try understand and to headlines issues that gave rise to that headline before signing up to what is so often for a successful political party in a secure To parliamentary democracy. election it is necessary to listen to the of aspirations the understand and electorate as part of the process of drawing up a manifesto. Equally it is likely to be disappointing if a promising manifesto cannot be articulated with skills. communication appropriate My answer is “yes” to this to “yes” is answer My question. challenging First let me say that the ability to listen prerequisite essential an is carefully Big Ears, Big Mouth! Ears, Big Big anything need you Do between? in

38 Chapter Two 21st Century Britain 40 Reimagining High Streets 41 as Home Streets: giving retail landlords the “Right to Redevelop”

Green belts and tightening belts. Biography UK high streets are an important part In addition to pubs and restaurants, high Debate surrounding house building Hal works in public affairs and of our social fabric, but the way we streets are also home to bus routes, train corporate communications, in the UK continues to focus on two shop is changing, which means they stations and taxi ranks. These services do helping clients to leverage their arguments: whether developers industry knowledge to work need to change too. Well-meaning not exist on undeveloped green belt and should be able to build on green with government to create proposals like an online sales tax will brownfield sites and require additional belt land, and whether the houses genuinely better policy in the not shift the direction of travel from funding from local government to be they do build – regardless of what context of complex issues; from bricks to clicks, merely prolonging delivered for new residents. land they are built on – are the role and responsibilities of high streets’ decline – and increasing platform businesses to plastics affordable enough. and public health policy. costs for consumers in the process. The ‘Right to Redevelop’ could also be extended to out of town retailers, which Ultimately it is the first argument that Hal read Politics at Durham Instead, we need to reimagine our are still accessible via existing transport has led to the second. Restrictions on University and in his spare time high streets as ‘home streets’, links. These sites have more space, planning and development on urban enjoys playing cricket and chess. reforming town planning laws to allowing for whole apartment buildings

fringes have reduced the supply He tweets @hjhstevenson allow retail landlords to change the to be developed, and would also Hal Stevenson of available homes to consumers, registered property use of vacant provide a financially viable alternative thereby increasing their price by lots to residential and sell the sites to commercial landlords, who are virtue of rising demand. on to housing developers. increasingly being squeezed by Company Voluntary Arrangements. The best way to prevent prices This ‘Right to Redevelop’ would require continuing to rise is to build more guarantees that the sites converted Of course, these reforms won’t deliver homes where people want to live and would become affordable homes (not 300,000 houses a year by themselves, work. Yet despite ambitious plans set merely a percentage, as per Section but whilst arguments about building out at the 2017 Budget to build 300,000 106), and that they would be ready for on the green belt rage on, they would more a year, government have sat sale by a certain point following their create a useful supply of affordable back, expecting the industry to purchase, thereby avoiding issues with homes, incentivising industry to build negotiate their way past outdated land value capture. more quickly and creating an exciting planning laws and build reasonably new market for redevelopment. priced homes for all. Not only would this provide a useful supply of affordable homes up and As importantly, the proposals will To successfully deliver on this down the UK, but redevelopment and also help rejuvenate our high streets, ambitious target it is clear that the the subsequent arrival of new safeguarding their future at a time Chapter Two Britain 21st Century government needs to take a more homeowners would help rejuvenate in which the social cohesion they innovative approach to house building. our high streets, driving footfall help to deliver is dearly needed. to established businesses in the In 2018, almost 2,500 shops closed community, including pubs and their doors for good on the UK’s top restaurants which are currently 500 high streets. That’s 2,500 lots facing tough trading conditions. falling vacant across some of the UK’s most attractive real estate in one year.

CoachBright Annual (2018), Report 2017-18. CoachBright Annual (2018), Report 2017-18, (on average when comparing results results comparing when average (on of assessments before and after the programme). CoachBright Annual (2018), Report 2017-18. LKMCo Forging (2018), Futures Worth Risk A Mentoring: Through Pursuing? (2017), Education. in Inequality on Commission Sources  [1]  [2]  [3]  [4] Angus Young Angus [5]  [5]

system are by no means one-way. age of 16.[5] Theage benefits of 16.[5] of academic peer mentoring are clear: it yields results, young endows GCSE stronger confidence of levels people greater with in their own abilities, and is therefore a prime mover of social mobility. The to itself commit should Government ensuring that every pupil who wants to take part in a mentoring scheme is able to do so. For those acting as mentors the programme offers a chance to communication critical develop and listening skills. ConservativeThis and Government, should Secretary, Education new our seek to engagewith companies like CoachBright to integrate academic peer mentoring into the wider curriculum. I formation the that passionately believe Scheme Mentoring Youth National a of would be the most effective way to furtherencourage participation in this process from both schools and programme A universities nationwide. Government the by backed directly to costs financial new few bring would could yet Department Education, the for secure a significant uptake from both mentors. and pupils without that estimates CoachBright education the further in intervention system it will take 50 years at the current rate of progress until we reach a system where disadvantaged pupils do not fall significantly behind their peers by the

43 Biography Born and brought up in Solihull I’ve been a member of the Conservative Party since I wasand 16, have recently the as appointed been Chairman the Solihull of Conservatives. Young Borough Last month I graduated from the University of Exeter with History, in first-class honours and I look forward to shortly commencing a training contract London-based firm the law at May. and Slaughter

One [2]

Their mentors are [3] The benefits of the [4] have seen first-hand how effective the the effective how first-hand seen have programme is. Outside of a crowded classroom pupils are able to set goals manageable themselves clear, guided by their coach. When these and independence the achieved are significantly. grows pupils of resilience clear produces programme The improve pupils CoachBright results. their grades by 4.4 times as much as non-coachedtheir peers, 75.1% and of coached students said they felt ‘confident’ they had the ability to study at university’ at the conclusion of the programme. were targeted towards improving improving towards targeted were attainment.academic across four Working CoachBright. is and Birmingham including areas, Exeter, it facilitated the mentoring of 685 pupils during the 2017-18 ambitious has and year, academic plans to expand. typically local universities, from drawn and after a brief period of training they give up an hour a week to visit a local school and work one-on-one with a pupil on an area of the curriculum which they are struggling with. Having volunteered with CoachBright during my time at Exeter University I Whilst mentoring has long been long has mentoring Whilst secondary in popular education, overwhelmingly have programmes emotional and social focused on reportdevelopment. A the for published Commissioner Children’s last year found that only 20% of surveyed programmes mentoring organisation which currently provides currently which organisation focus academic an with mentoring

Too many young Too [1] our party has delivered since 2010, it’s clear there is still more work to be done. While Labour countenances issue, this destructive to solutions such as the recent proposal to abolish 2,500 independent Britain’s of all schools, our party must respond with yieldconstructive can which remedies students. Academic for results real cost- clear the is peer-mentoring problem. this to effectiveanswer often seems to be lacking in our an system, where education persists gap betweenattainment income low from students peers their and backgrounds brackets. income higher from 33% of secondaryIn 2017, school pupils on Meals (FSM) obtained fiveA*-C or more GCSE grades, yet amongst those who were not in receipt reached of FSM 61% the threshold. same has prided itself on a steadfast meritocracy; notion to the commitment should background individual’s no that determine the course of their future. It’s a powerful idea, yet its spirit too Too many pupilsToo are currently background. their by back held engage Conservatives should The to peer-mentoring academic with remedy. cost-effective a provide Throughout its history our party Social mobility in our our in mobility Social schools: the case for academic mentoring people have their early careers and life chances constrained not by a lack of ability but by their background. Despite which education in improvements the

42 Chapter Two 21st Century Britain 3 One Nation in action

-

localgovernment/2018/02/ferris-cooper-our- ambition-is-to-abolish-council-tax-in-east- hampshire-within-four-years.html documents/22.37%20District%20 Councils%20Report_05_WEB_1.pdf localgovernment/2019/02/ferris-cowper-in- east-hampshire-we-are-breaking-away-from- the-jobswirth-approach.html uploads/2016/02/Localis-Commercial-Coun cils-FINAL.pdf files/documents/regenco%20booklet%20 no%20copyright%200519_0.pdf https://www.conservativehome.com/ https://www.conservativehome.com/ https://www.easthants.gov.uk/sites/default/ https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/ https://www.localis.org.uk/wp-content/ [v] [iv] [ii] [iii] Better health outcomes can be made that One Nation Conservatives Nation One that desire. Sources [i] a priority servicesa designing when like planning, and in the specification in Homes facilities. leisure for contracts can be made more adaptable so that people with limited mobility and independent. more be can pressure, under is Local Government with authorities tier particularly upper in the cost of adult social care, but reform essential. is possible and is Without generating greater wealth at a local level, it will impossible to deliver the social reform in our communities

[v] A more commercial approach also also approach commercial more A help Conservative to allows councils affordable and new for demand meet local like vehicles creating housing, Housing Companies to improve the quality of private rented sector accommodation. Finally, it allows for greater action in tackling the underlying causes of poor health outcomes. Since responsibility for public health was transferred to local (especially councils 2013, in government at a District level) have had a greater opportunity to better address the wider determinants of health. There is clearly a need for councils to evaluate risk to taxpayers’ money and have the right expertise to make the right investments, but the rewards can be great. from income more By generating services property, and Conservative- opportunities more have councils led to put One Nation Conservative values into practice in local government and reform. social deliver One of the pressing challenges for many areas is regenerating our town centres and high streets and boosting civic been have Rushmoor like Councils pride. proactive in their investments in town control more property,centre obtaining historical the restore to development over Farnborough Aldershot and of centres growth. economic increase and

47 Biography for Councillor a is Jonathan St John’s Ward on Rushmoor he where Council, Borough is the Chair of the Policy and Projects Advisory Board and Licensing, serves the on Purposes General and Audit Committee. He currently works as a Policy Officer at Versus Arthritis, a role that involves working with policymakers in the NHS and Parliament to improve health servicesarthritis with people for musculoskeletal and conditions.

[iv] Their ambition ambition Their have become more become more have [i] [iii] generating enough income income enough generating

[ii]

the Council Tax burden on all residents all on burden Tax Council the – particularly those on low incomes. East Hampshire is a shining example vehicle commercial its with this, of RegenCo year in a row. is to abolish Council in East Tax altogether. Hampshire of centralof government grants, they enterprising more becoming are self-sufficient more are that institutions and ambitious in their goals for the serve. they communities generateTo the income to fund services, councils have had to become approach. their in commercial more every delivering than serviceRather themselves, this often involves selling or sharing services with other local authorities. property commercial in Investment and higher levels of business rates for potential provide the also retention consistent more a generate to councils level of income to sustainably fund services. prioritised have that Councils approach this Over the last decade, there has has there decade, last the Over been a quiet revolution in the way that local council services are funded and delivered in England. Less funding fromWhitehall has councils. of role the transformed From being the passive recipients to reduce Council for a second Tax independent from central government government central from independent financially, sustainable more and presenting the opportunity to reduce Cllr Jonathan Canty Delivering OneDelivering Nation principlesin local government

46 Chapter Three One Nation in action

grants to supply 90,000 ‘affordable’ 90,000 supply ‘affordable’ to grants houses £2.2 by 2021, billion in ease congestion and schemes to £2.5 billion on upgrading the mostTube, of which could be economic regional to redistributed words, other in — development truly building a One Nation works which Kingdom United everyone.for The tax system already recognises geographical the in distinction location of workers facilitate (to the recently devolved of collection Scottish Income and likewise Tax), Northern Corporation the Irish for rate whenTax that is implemented. The mechanisms are present, all that is required is the political will. As the home of One Nation Conservatism, we are the forward the take to champions opportunity of redistribution across these Islands, and lobbying for a tax system inspired by our worldwide peers to help make that happen. Andrew Morrison

in London, versus 5.5 times earnings in the North East of England. As a result, earning high people, including young from alienated professionals, are young our economic policy and turning to desperate measures, including ’s Labour. Meanwhile, our great cities in the North are being deserted. In a review of the 62 UK’s cities, show a 10 1981 versus their 2014 in population lower level — all in ‘The North’ (Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Glasgow, Hull, Dundee, Sunderland, Birkenhead, Blackpool). Burnley, So, what to do? My suggestion would be to follow the used models Corporation Tax regional in Germany, the US, and elsewhere. Indeed, we currently have plans to introduce a discounted CT rate in power-sharing when , recommences.devolution would I propose that here on the mainland we introduce a 2% differential in the mainstream Corporation rates Tax (small companies with profits under £300k would remain as based is) on the location of their workforces. If a company has 70% of its employees based within the Greater LondonArea, then 70% of their profits would be subject to the London CT rate, and the remaining 30% of profits taxed at the Rest of discounted UK rate. companies encourage help would This to redistribute jobs, and therefore activityeconomic opportunities, and out of the Greater London Area and across the rest of the UK. Further, billions of pounds of investment London’s upgrade to required are economic this to due infrastructure housing in billion £3.15 concentration:

49 Biography Andrew is a Director at ACCA, a member of the FSB and a mentor business volunteer Trust Princes the for

Frankfurt and the industry of Munich. In the US, New global York’s status doesn’t diminish Washington’s political clout, or LA’s creativity, nor Silicon Valley’s Valley’s creativity, Silicon nor LA’s or entrepreneurialism. balanced socially and sustainable Truly multiple powerhouses have economic clusters of economic growth, rather economically which singularity a than nation. the of remainder the sustains There is one other aspect which both Germany and the USA have in common, regional lack: we a which and policy. rate Corporation Tax Since Conservative 2010, policy to mainstream the cut sustainably Corporation rate from Tax 28% to 19% has yielded the highest tax take ever, from £34.5 billion in 2009-10 to £53.7 billion in 2016-17. This has £53.7 billion in 2016-17. funds yielded more simultaneously for investment in public services, and facilitated strong economic growth and virtually zero unemployment — impressive in normal years, but deepest the following exceptional recession modern history. of been has boom economic This concentrated too much within one region of the UK, and the referendum EU is evidence of this. The second most productive ‘cluster’ within the is UK the West Midlands, where each person in employment contributed only 68.2% of disparity This London. in worker a of that is far greater than the equivalent in Germany, Italy, Spain and France. In 2004, London constituted 20.9% of the population. UK’s this grew In 2014, to 21.8%. As a result, the average first-time homebuyer must times pay earnings 13

of national product than London. than product national of In Germany, Berlin’s political heft is balanced by the financial hub of The UK is unique in its dependence on its in unique is UK The activity. economic capital for national the Scottish the ConservativeAs said leader despite the devolutionin 2017, of power across the over UK the last 20 years, capitals, only global major among Moscow accounts for a greater share has removed the lack of social intercourse, but certainly the lack of sympathy with opposing views on the Brexit divide remains. This divide became apparent during Elections, European recent the which should never have been: we Conservatives lost votes to The Brexit Party in the North, where Leave generally won big, and we lost votes to the Lib Dems in the South. Those who London/SE-centric benefittedthe from decades few last the of policy economic vehemently wish to maintain the status have who elsewhere those and quo, seen their home towns evaporate lay must represent a fairer equality fairer represent a must opportunityof Isles. these across During the course of both the EU the and Referendum, have we Referendum, Membership learned that the UK is truly a land of is there nations, betweentwo whom no intercourse and no sympathy. Okay, perhaps the social media age the blame at the door of the and EU the both economy: our rebalance to need servicefrom industry orientation towards more manufacturing, and from the South to the North. must redistribute redistribute must opportunity Conservatism Nation One True Modern Conservatism

48 Chapter Three One Nation in action

Party to understand what has made successful most and oldest the it in the western world, identify which become to us inspired statespeople the Conservatives we might be tomorrow, and learn the virtues of educating and leading our country in the spirit of our One Nation Conservatism too? It might help us to better understand who we intend to be as Parliamentarians did. we if Might we not read the history of our

51 Biography Hunter Patrick Stephen Carl Professor-in-Practice a is OBE and School Business Durham at the CEO of a high exporting exportingmanufacturer 89% of its countries, output to 110 Queen’s the of holder and Trade. International for Award Carl is a DIT Export Champion, Decision-Making a Panel Member of the Bank ofEngland and the Commonwealth’s 37th Formerly a Mentor. Business the in Officer Greenjacket travelled has Carl Army, British extensively for 25 years in Asia, North America and the Middle supports and East Parliamentarians and Parliamentary Candidates in the Party.

then become surprised when they are less sure-footed afterwards as Parliamentarians. The reality is that campaigning must be a, rather than them. determines which skill the, Whilst we in the Tory Reform Group Conservatism Nation understand One Disraeli under origin its hopefully and in the late century, 19th how much could we rely, in a national poll, on our nation understanding it too? Perhaps now offers an opportune time for us to remember that winning for its own sake can often perpetuate misunderstanding. And at its worst, too. ignorance is the ability to educate and lead. much-admired a is Campaigning and essential skill. But ‘keeping seats blue’ must mean more than this suggests.outcome The military would not place its in Relations Public of Director command of a Brigade nor a global corporation necessarily its place Head of Marketing as its CEO. expectWe much of our Parliamentary and campaigners as Candidates The qualities of a Parliamentarian a of qualities The are many. But today, in a complex One when and world political being ConservatismNation is applied by those on both sides of helpful be might it divide, Brexit the a defines what consider to Parliamentarian. Parliamentarian a of definition One Carl Hunter OBE OneNation Conservative Parliamentarians Defining the qualities of qualities the Defining

50 Chapter Three One Nation in action

on zero-hours contracts shamefully neglected by the big unions in the defence of full-time jobs – rights their endanger not must which often meagre livelihoods. foreign and defence is there Finally, affairs. An irony of the Brexit obsession is that wider global affairs have been neglected to the extent that only a single able been has ship British significant to patrol the lower reaches of the Gulf, with alarming results. a time At when the United States has embarked on a period isolationism probably unsustainable of – although mercifully not embarking on hopeless desert Britain’s – adventures still sane voice of reason has been barely heard. she enjoys, Yet in this area, the respect of the United States, Europe and the Commonwealth. Soft diplomacy needs a hard edge: Britain should be under no illusion that in the currently geo-economicsof field fashionable other countries will drive a hard bargain. charged with building more cottage more building with charged help. home providing and hospitals The savings on NHS ambulance bed-blocking,stacking and are which vastly more expensive than cottage would helps, home beds and hospital offset much of the overall cost. young of epidemic the of problem The knife crime needs to be tackled by a responsibilities police of reallocation away from paperwork rather than ritual cuts and recruitment drives. Another one-nation priority has to be to give greater rights to the growing army of those and part-timers homeworkers,

securing a few significant concessions significant few a securing from the and EU then bravely persuading his own followers that nothing better can be achieved. as two high-speed linesalready exist, but, as Boris has already suggested, and Midlands east-west the across the north, and on improving commuter lines in the south. Above all, money should be earmarked for a major programme of building social housing, which was always the intention of Michael Heseltine and Peter Walker, the ministers in charge of selling provide houses.will That council off people young for homes affordable house the endangering not while values of their parents, ultimately to be passed on to the young. The crisis in adult social care Oddly needs addressing. desperately opportunity of window a is there enough council on squeeze the provided by likely more are councils The spending. than ever to want to be relieved of their which care, such providing of burden should be handed to a body nominated by the health service, central local authorities and government Some will be unpersuadable, and it will be tough, but Mr Johnson prides toughness. his on himself After that, Britain can return to problems largely left unattended to over the past three years: the economy where a post-deal bounce and Mr Hammond’s Treasury the of handling prudent are likely to permit more money for along not investment, infrastructure vastly the where coast, west the scrapped be should expensive HS2

53 Robert Harvey Biography Robert Harvey is a former MP for Clywd South West. He is a the of editor assistant former writer leader and Economist and columnist for the Daily reporting across Telegraph, the world. He is the author majorof 15 books on politics and history. He is currently Monmouth the of President Conservative Association.

of not being relegated to history as Boris the Short: that of becoming a De Gaulle indeed (or a Nixon in ) by part of our society. the at embodied is Anti-racialism heart of our party from onwards, and although immigrant numbers should be limited, racialism itself is playing with fire: anyone toying with the idea of an alliance with The Party the Brexit consider should fate of amiable, bumbling President Hindenburg in Weimar Germany, who thought he could tame Hitler by inviting the Government. into him But Mr Johnson does have one chance of success lies in the anachronistic anachronistic the success in of lies Jeremy Labour leader, Marxism the of happenedCorbyn. what remember But when we last wrote off Corbyn? areWe told that an election pact with The Brexit Party is seriously being contemplated. The party and its unashamedly are predecessor UKIP dog-whistle the raised who racialists, prospect of a Britain bring flooded with (never wereTurks the chances of entryTurkish into the more EU remote than today), asylum seekers (far fewer Islamic and Europe) continental in than jihadists, when the vast majority of Muslims are an ordered, integral to blow his brains out unless others do prospect whose sole and bidding, his That leaves an early general election early general leaves an That through tricky be get may to which Fixed-term the under Parliament Parliaments Act – all but the most determined group ERG members must quail at the prospect, which smacks of the cartoon character who threatens

In any case a no-deal would involve returning to Europe for a trade deal on disadvantageous terms, with the continent in an unforgiving mood, so would not be a no-deal at all, just a worse deal. but even a full facial, on the actually quite good agreement negotiated by Theresa But May. the Germans, in the driving seat, fear further major EU, the endanger would renegotiation and they will not risk that. There is no majority for no a deal in Parliament. may be room for some European pig a on concessions, lipstick not BorisJohnson claims to be a one-nation Conservative (except in one major area) and that is a recollection as certainly my colleague at more than a quarter of a century one-nation his should what So ago. thriving this allow to be priorities part of the Party to give our new enthusiastic the Minister Prime deserves? support he his course is of exception The proclaimed acceptance of a no-deal Brexit, which in a rare alignment one-nation three priorities threatens need the endangers simultaneously: it differences economic the diminish to between haves, have-lesses, and the four our poor; cohesion of the genuine and tolerance delicate the and nations; and – largely has which multiculturism peace between the wonderfully kept – the different ethnic groups in Britain. to an externalYet eye, whatever his optimism and drive, the Prime Minister appears boxed in on Brexit. There A One Nation Prime Minister

52 Chapter Three One Nation in action

substantial proportion of the rest proportion the substantial of One Nation Conservatism Nation beOne must citizenship of conception a develop to that can also embrace British business. is collected for the government by duty, alcohol duty, fuel VAT, businesses: and so on. In return, business is entitled to have its voice heard. Second, in any keeps reciprocity what is relationship, the show on the road. I believe deeply in but sector corporate responsible more a this can only flourish as part of a broader pact between and government business. Third, a more open and businesses all with dialogue regular the or cronyism less to open far is appearance such. of next for the development Therefore,

both a dangerous blind spot and fewer tools for growing a stronger country. American influential (the Fink investor and chairman of BlackRock) put this most eloquently letter in his 2019 to CEOs: ‘Companies cannot solve every issue of public importance, but there are many – from retirement to infrastructure to preparing workers for the jobs of the future – that cannot be solved without leadership’. corporate Over the past decade political bodies of Citizens’ Assemblies. Yet between Assemblies. Yet Citizens’ of is tide the business and government flowing in the other direction. The Conservative Party often criticised is for having an overly cosy relationship with true. contrary now the is but business almost an oversaw government May The communications: of cut-off complete strategically important businesses used to be invited in periodically to meet relevant civil servants and have a few words with a Minister – the really big ones would probably speak to the Prime Minister. Under May this choreographed series of a to changed questions with calls, conference allocated in advance and participants who did not play ball excluded from calls until further notice. This is a worrying trend for three key reasons: first, as the Americans might teach us, ‘no taxation without government UK of 10% representation’. revenue comes directly from taxing corporation as predominantly – business tax and business rates – and a of all sizes – from councils to the – UN have embraced the idea of participatory is referenda of stream The democracy. one sign of this, another is the increase

55 Biography Daisy started her career in public policy campaigning, and Exchange, Policy for working the Centre for Social Justice, Conservativethe Research Department and as Research Director at the Centre for Policy Studies before moving on to run Conservative the Forum. Policy She then built a second career is Daisy Populus. pollster at a veteran of multiple Welsh, elections general Scottish and and too many referendum runs she Now campaigns. Meyland Strategy, an agency that uses research tools to and lost, misunderstood help find organisations politicised their and purpose their audience and turn these into successful campaign and reputation strategies.

Too few politicians who describe who politicians few Too Nation One themselves as Conservatives think of these consider they businesses when the responsibilities that the state citizens. its towards has some understandable; is skew This businesses significantly wield large and individual the than power more the state can act as an arbiter. But if the problems far, too topples imbalance develop: the compact of citizenship is broken and we break the important ties that bind companies to the society in which they operate. Any political has fact this ignores that philosophy but what is not often raised is that citizenship implies both The obligation. protection and state rightly expects corporate to responsibly, act to bodies their do to strengthen society, part. The other side of this pact consultation. protection and is It has become the norm to assume Conservatism Nation One is that thought of strands other from distinct due to its emphasis on protecting individuals from the excesses of something is business that capitalism; to be restrained or insured against. Whether we are a nation of of nation a are we Whether service a economy, shopkeepers, or a financial hub, the UK is most certainly a country full to the brim BEIS to according companies: of private million 5.7 were there sector businesses in the UK in public decade, past the Over 2018. repeatedly dwelt has discourse upon what it means to be a citizen corporate responsible

Daisy Powell- Daisy Chandler The corporate citizens ofOne our Nation

54 Chapter Three One Nation in action 4

The environment 58 Passing a legally binding net- 59 zero carbon emissions target into law: this is a big deal

Everyone is talking about climate Biography Parliament or Government have a clear should help democratise the process change. It is a required topic for Bim is the eldest son of Nigerian sense of how to achieve the target, and and make sure the proposals can and British parents, and was any Conservative who is young, do so in a way which will strengthen our work from a ‘bottom up’ perspective. educated at , or trendy (they are definitely not where he was an Oppidan economy, improve living standards and Academics, economists and politicians the same thing), or if one is aspiring scholar. He attended University the way of life for everyone. How we are pronouncing major changes from on to be either. College, Oxford, where he to achieve net zero by 2050 is a subject high is unlikely to garner sustained studied Modern History, was that merits much wider discussion, public support. This is because younger people know Vice President of the Oxford and that conversation needs to take Union and played football for about it, really care about it, and older the University. Subsequently he place between politicians, civil servants, My background was in the City of generations are now feeling rather spent almost a decade working academics, investors, and the main London, first doing M&A deals, followed ashamed that they are rather late to in the ; first as a players in every area of industry. by working in strategy and restructuring the party and wish to make amends for lawyer at Freshfields Bruckhaus This is why I am hosting a climate for HSBC. I am extremely interested in previous foot-dragging. A couple of Deringer and Simpson Thacher change conference in September, to be how the real economy works and will & Bartlett, and then working in months ago, amidst Brexit-induced banking as a senior executive held at the world renowned agricultural adapt to the problems that climate MP parliamentary paralysis, the House at HSBC. Bim was elected in research centre Rothamsted Research change poses. Put bluntly, if we do not of Commons passed a legally binding June 2017 as Conservative MP in Harpenden in my constituency. act now, the problem will exacerbate net-zero carbon emissions target for Hitchin and Harpenden. The conference will be chaired by over the coming years and at some point for 2050 into law. This is a big deal. Bim is married to Henrietta, Chris Stark, CEO of the Committee on a government will come into office who and they have 3 sons. 2050 might sound far away, but it is in Climate Change, alongside Baroness will be forced (or at least they will argue only 31 years’ time. If you are under 34 Brown of Cambridge, Deputy Chair that) to take extreme measures, and and reading this, you are likely to still be of the Committee on Climate Change. those measures will ruin the economy working at that time. That is the length and our standard of living. In the short of just over 6 parliaments. If I sat in the The aim for the conference is threefold: term some of this might work to cut House of Commons for as long as my first, to investigate more deeply the carbon emissions, but over the medium predecessor , I would policy changes required if the UK is and longer term they would impoverish still be an MP by the time the target to meet its net-zero emissions target the country, and make it impossible became legally binding in 2050. by 2050. I will be bringing together to produce and invest in the sort of well-respected experts, environmental technology which ultimately is the MPs and Government, as a whole, campaigners, investors and local people way to solve the problem. Therefore, are woefully underprepared for the (both with and without specialist we need to start taking steps now. enormity of the task we have set knowledge) to discuss what is required The new Chancellor and Government ourselves. The complexity and political for the UK to be able to achieve this. can put some lucrative incentives in and economic challenge we face Secondly, to try and develop a practical place to get more investment into green makes Brexit look simple. After the vote set of medium-term proposals (to be technology, nudge or force companies went through, I became concerned. implemented over the next five to move away from behaviour which

Chapter Four The environment I was not concerned because I didn’t to 10 years) that can be published, damages the planet, tax pollutants more believe in the target; I do. Nor was I advocated and debated so that and green behaviour less, and make concerned because I believed that Parliament and the Government can Britain the undisputed leader in the the target was too ambitious or not consider how to act. Thirdly, to make world for green investment and ambitious enough; I believe that it was sure the public voice is not only technology, exporting our skills and sensible and in line with the expert consulted but also an integral part of products all over the globe. That is recommendation from the Committee the discussion and decision making. my vision, and I will be working with on Climate Change. I was concerned By ensuring that members of the public the new Government to deliver it. because I do not think that either are fully involved in the discussions, this 60 Green, Blue 61 and People Too

Extinction Rebellion want the UK Bold optimism is the mood music of the Biography Conservatives have always been to commit to net zero emissions current Prime Minister. If we are to be Duncan Gray is a Founding committed to ideas like place and Director of BRODIE, a by 2025. This language and striking bold and optimistic, then our ambition home. It is in these familiar notions business consultancy that demand focuses minds – but risks must be for an economy, society and helps companies reframe and that we will find a secure foundation for being so narrow that we forget environment where we don’t just do re-orient their role in society a centre-right vision of a regenerative about the vulnerable in society. less harm, which is what ‘net zero’ for the age of sustainable economy. It is not only faraway Pacific means, but one in which environmental consumption. He has previously islands that are under threat from Reaching net zero emissions over and human flourishing are entwined. worked in business, for leading climate change; British landscapes environmental charities and as five years would result in massive job a consultant to many of the we love, from the chalk cliffs of losses. Consider the aviation sector, Let us imagine the same values that world’s largest brands. He is to the flow country of Caithness, are which employs around half a million outlines as they relate also a self-supporting Priest in threatened by climate disruption. Homes people in the UK. It’s safe to assume to our fellow countrywomen and the . When should be places of nurture, safety and almost all those jobs would have to go men. Are we a Party that takes not at work he’s most likely to be love – but unless there are homes for found swimming in a loch or the to meet a net zero target by 2025, and intergenerational fairness seriously? sea. www.brodiepartners.com people, unless families are physically that’s just one sector. We’d be at net Are we sufficiently concerned for and mentally healthy, unless there is Duncan Cowan Gray zero but we’d be suffering horribly. those families struggling to feed their food on the table and people can afford children, for whom there is no financial to pay the bills, then homes become As Conservatives we can probably all resilience when the fridge breaks? places of misery. agree a headlong dash into recession is a thoroughly bad idea. What, happily, Regenerative economics is an A world where we can live comfortably most Conservatives also agree on emerging approach that advocates in the climate, and a United Kingdom is the need to take climate change not merely using fewer resources but where all people can live well, is not seriously. Zac Goldsmith writes in developing economic activity which the stuff of utopian dreams but the the opening of the Conservative helps restore the natural world whilst stuff of good Government. Environment Network’s simultaneously seeking to promote (CEN) manifesto, positive social outcomes. At Channelling our Prime Minister, let’s be first glance books like Doughnut bold and optimistic. Let’s go for Green, ‘Stewardship of the natural world, Economics, The Economics of Arrival Blue and People Too. responsibility towards future and Regenerative Leadership can generations, the search for resilience, look decidedly of the left, with their these are core tenets of conservatism.’ radicalism, love of zero-growth agendas and suspicion of business. A Conservative Government committed our country to achieving But rather than dismiss these ideas a more realistic target of net zero as leftie utopianism, we should see

Chapter Four The environment emissions by 2050. Furthermore, in regenerative economics a serious both Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson attempt to recast the system of as candidates for Party leader signed Government and business in a way up to the CEN manifesto. that simultaneously encourages nature and nation to flourish.

62 Rivers of Opportunity 63

Almost every positive headline Biography Changing the behaviour of a whole nation with every landowner whose garden for the Conservatives in the last Bruce is an architect and BIM to make littering as socially unacceptable abutted a football pitch before you could manager based in a small north couple of years has originated from as smoking would be a big task. It would use it. It is a ridiculous policy. For this London practice and is in his previous role currently completing his take years of advertising campaigns, reason, only 4% of the waterways in as Environment Secretary. professional qualifications in educational integration, and much more. England and Wales have official access architecture There is a strong argument that it is worth agreements. Imagine if you proposed Gove has rightly focused on improving at the University of Cambridge, doing, but it would not have immediate closing access to 96% of footpaths and the quality of our environment in as well as studying Advanced results. To get those, physically removing bridleways; people would rightly be Architectural Research at multiple areas. On land, wildlife The Bartlett, University College litter from the waterways is the only outraged. This is precisely the situation protection measures and agricultural London. He also runs his own immediate viable solution. with our rivers. policy are due to undergo a revolution in architectural practice on the how they operate. In the sea marine side and writes on a variety of But there’s a problem. If you want to So if we don’t have access to our rivers, protection zones are expanding. In the topics, including architecture, organise a litter pick down your road for we cannot clean them up, and we cannot the natural environment, air there are new measures to reduce science & technology, example, there are very few obstacles to ensure that they are in a healthy state. Bruce Buckland pollution and improve air quality. If all philosophy, urban design, doing so. The roads are public highways More importantly though, if people these are implemented, our housing, and construction. and as such can be freely and openly cannot access them they will not care environment will be in a much healthier accessed at any time by whatever form about them anywhere near as much as if state thanks to him. Hopefully Theresa of traffic is permitted on each specific they were able to enjoy them freely. When Villiers will continue his great work. type of highway, whether road, bridleway you spend time in an environment, you or footpath. Rivers however, are different. come to care about it deeply. Only then As part of the land and farming policy The level of access to our rivers is a will people have the will to properly clean reforms, Gove mentioned how essential controversial topic. For hundreds of up our waterways and ensure they are it is that we improve the health of our years rivers were used extensively for in a healthy state. rivers. They are, after all, the life-giving transport, and not just large rivers; small networks that keep our fields producing rivers too provided access for heavy This issue is often painted by the media crops and our reservoirs full. Having a goods high up the river network, at a time as a canoeists versus anglers debate, but healthy network of waterways is vital to when roads were not sufficiently well this is wrong. It is in the interests of all improving the health of our environment built to handle such goods. No legislation parties to have healthy rivers, and the as a whole. was needed as all rivers were used cleaner they are, the more fish numbers widely by industry and the public alike and variety of species there will be. There The recent focus on plastics in the with no restrictions. They were effectively is no reliable evidence that canoeing ocean has curiously failed to common land. This was the state of damages fish populations, and as both an acknowledge the essential link with our affairs right up until the twentieth century, angler and a canoeist myself, I can testify rivers. How exactly is it that plastic waste when railways and roads came to make that passing canoeists disturb fish far gets into our oceans in the first place? It river transport redundant, and less that I do when I’m wading around

Chapter Four The environment gets there somehow, and it does that via landowners began to just assume they casting a line. With the massive recent our waterways. In short, we don’t have a had a right to restrict access to increase in the popularity of Stand-Up plastics problem, we have a litter waterways crossing their land. Paddleboarding (SUP), wild swimming, problem. If everyone put all plastic waste and the focus on cleaning up plastic in the appropriate recycling or landfill bin Nowadays the primary users of our waste from our oceans, there has never then, barring microbeads and a few waterways are the public. The been a better time to do as almost every other exceptions, the amount of plastic government’s official position is that other country globally does, and allow entering the oceans would plummet. So ‘access agreements’ must be sought, free and open access to our rivers and if we clean up our rivers of litter, we and every landowner along a stretch of waterways, so we can together truly clean up our oceans. river must agree before these can be make a difference to the health of our approved. Imagine if you had to negotiate nation’s beautiful natural environment. 64 Why Brexit can help us 65 build a greener Britain

The words ‘take back control’ In the UK, the bottom 40% of farms Biography farmland, the subsidy system creates are unlikely to be on the placard of receive just 4% of subsidies. Jamie is the founder and CEO every reason for the farmer to do so, of Creator Fund, a company your typical environmental activist. Hectare-based payments have fuelled even if the does not. This is that helps university students But they should be. the expansion of the largest farms, across the UK start their own having a dramatic impact on biodiversity driven up the price of land, and forced businesses. He also works as across the European countryside. Just And they should be central to the pitch smaller landholders out of business. director of transformation at look at the population of birds across Conservatives make to younger voters In the UK under this system, we are advertising group WPP. He is Europe: 24 out of 39 bird species in the next election. If we are going to seeing the disappearance of that a democracy activist and has commonly found on farms are in decline. run campaigns for opposition bring these voters back to our party, cornerstone of country life, the parties in countries like As hedgerows are removed to enlarge we need to start inspiring them around family farm. Cambodia and Tunisia. fields and trees disappear, skylarks what Brexit means for the issues they He is head of communications and whitethroats have nowhere to nest. care about. And there is no better This has significant implications for for Bermondsey and Old place to start than the environment. the environment and animal welfare. Southwark Conservatives. We now have the ability to do things Jamie holds an MBA from The system values and incentivises Stanford Business School. differently. We should design a subsidy Any conversation about how we scale, not responsible land use. It system that eliminates the artificial Jamie Macfarlane protect the environment must means that one of the beneficiaries incentive to convert ‘ineligible’ land into inescapably include agriculture. of CAP subsidies are industrial-scale farming land. The preservation of wildlife Over 70% of the UK land mass is factory farms. These are farms where habitats is a public benefit, and farmers devoted to farming, but up until now tens of thousands of animals are should receive subsidies for protecting the industry has been largely under crowded in confined spaces, causing scrubland and ponds. Where the control of the EU’s Common significant damage to the environment, agricultural land is no longer productive, Agricultural Policy (CAP). local rivers and land. In 2016 and 2017, there could be incentives to rewild it. it was estimated that factory farms CAP is one of the least understood received £70 million in CAP subsidies Taking back control of agriculture and most environmentally damaging in the UK. should feel empowering. If you have parts of the EU. It is a system of been protesting for the environment, subsidies paid to European farmers The direct payments to UK farmers are you now have more power to turn words which is the single biggest line item worth around £2.5 million every year. into action. If you care about animal in the EU budget and makes up 55% It could be a significant tool for good welfare, you now have a greater ability of faming income in the UK. policy, but it is a tool that has been kept to promote it. If you want to back local in the shed. We now have the power British farmers, you now have better There are two major problems at the to use it to help responsible local means to do so. heart of this policy, which should anger farmers compete. Or to strengthen any environmentalist or supporter animal welfare standards, for example, As we move past October 31st, the of British farmers. by giving subsidies when animals have question changes from “Will we leave?”

Chapter Four The environment certain levels of access to the outdoors. to “What will we do with our new First, CAP subsidies are based on powers?” The Conservatives need to landholding. It is a regressive system: The second problem with CAP is that use issues like the environment to get the larger the farm the more subsidies farmers have minimal incentive to young people excited about answering you receive. This has resulted in protect nature. Subsidies are largely that question. money being funnelled to large reserved for ‘eligible’ agricultural agribusinesses, and has made it land, with a far smaller pot reserved almost impossible for smaller farms for environmental protection. If to compete. Across Europe, 80% of woodlands, ponds, forests, or payments go to the top 20% of farms. meadows can be converted into 66 Conserving is in our instincts 67 and our Party name. With the right policies we can wrestle environmental issues away from the Left

as we develop the details of precisely Biography cars and battery technology. We are restoration, with pollinators estimated how we will deliver on our radical Nigel Huddleston was elected making progress and have good to add £600 million in value in increased the Member of Parliament for promise to end our contribution to momentum, but we must do more. yield and food quality – and yet many of Mid-Worcestershire at the 2015 climate change by 2050 – an ambitious General Election. Yes, we are decarbonising faster than our bee species are presently in decline. target that we have already enshrined any other developed nation and the UK Linking such projects to commitments in law. Since first being elected in 2015 has led the world through becoming like creating and making public Nigel has held several positions the first G7 country to set legally binding footpaths more accessible would result With the right policies we can wrestle including Parliamentary Private targets to reduce carbon emissions to in multiple benefits, including physical Secretary to several Ministers environmental issues away from the at the Department of Digital, net zero, but we could go further and and mental health benefits and a greater left. Conserving is – after all – in our Culture, Media and Sport, set legally binding obligations to support awareness of the environment. The instincts, nature and Party name! as well as being one of the Vice our forests and rivers as well. Government could also incentivise But unlike many on the left, we Chairmen of the Conservative so-called farm clusters, which bring Conservatives believe that it is possible Party where he was responsible The Government’s 25 Year Environment together local farmers and interest for managing the youth groups to protect the environment and tackle of the Party. Plan contains several ambitious groups to enable them to better plan and Nigel Huddleston MP climate change whilst enabling proposals, and 90% of the actions are co-ordinate the restoration of the local economic growth. This case is being Following the creation of a already being progressed. We must be environment. There are successful made convincingly in Parliament new Government under Boris realistic that protecting and enhancing clusters throughout the UK, and already not by the Greens or the opposition, Johnson, Nigel was promoted our environment cannot be achieved areas in the South East have seen a to be an Assistant Government but by long-standing Conservative overnight, but by setting bold targets return of birdlife and grasses which had The matter of climate change Whip. His new responsibilities and how to combat it is at the environmental campaigners like Zac include gathering support for to reverse the loss of British wildlife been on a steady decline for decades, top of the political agenda and Goldsmith, and Claire the Prime Minister’s domestic and implementing robust legal duties including skylarks and red hooks. does not look like it will abate Perry, as well as the growing number legislation and ensuring the to ensure our children breathe cleaner of MPs who align themselves with Government gets the votes air, we could demonstrate our long-term Whilst our policies must of course any time soon. The challenge it needs in Parliament. is especially acute as it is the Conservative Environment commitment to these important issues. be realistic in terms of expense and the dominant issue for many Network (CEN). delivery, there is no reason to limit our young people and drives We can also build on our successes by ambitions nor our ingenuity to ensure their personal behaviour, Whilst politics may currently be allowing Government investment to we meet our net-zero target and purchasing decisions, moral dominated by the ‘B-word’, and whilst have a greater environmental focus, and enhance our environment. outlook and voting intentions. there is an urgent need to focus on for the Agriculture Bill to allow for public the domestic agenda, we must ensure money to be spent on public goods – In a world where politics tends to Chapter Four The environment No MP can visit a school these the environment takes its rightful including measures to protect the be focused on short-term policy days without climate change and place as a top Government priority. environment. Over 70% of Britain’s commitments that fit neatly with election the environment dominating a Reassuringly, Boris Johnson has land is managed by farmers and farm cycles, it is quite a bold ambition to question and answer session. indicated that the environment and subsidies could be repurposed to help focus on future generations and truly climate change will be given the develop and roll out innovations like commit to leaving the environment The installation of a new attention they deserve. He has also carbon capture technology or to restore in a better state than we found it. Conservative Government talked enthusiastically about Britain peatlands and hedgerows to attract the presents us with an opportunity leading the way in the development of return of wildlife. Our vital food industry Nevertheless that is our intention, that to bolster our green credentials more environmentally friendly electric can only benefit from nature’s is our goal and that is our responsibility. 5 Business and the economy

there is another and better way to in the success of the business and a voice in it. It also gives the companies loyal and interested customers shareholders. and things owns sector public the Wherever (paid for by taxpayer funds), it should be ensuring its customers have a share. In the case of social housing, for example, there is already the right to buy scheme, but it currently does not attract enough purchasers to make it a property-owning good a It’s poorer families. for revolution enough reach does not that scheme people to make it highly aspirational, in the way Thatcher’s scheme became. customers housing social those if But who pay their rent on time and are in work automatically owned of 5% their home after five years10% (andafter 10 years), it would share wealth and give these customers a return. Good citizens earning a reward for doing the right thing and getting a stake in society in economics. good and politics is return overleaf... Continued share wealth and power thanstate ownership? Wouldn’t it be attractive for the Conservative Party to ensure industries’ ‘monopoly of customers all have a say in and a shareof their companies private If generation? wealth wish to run the electricity, water, gas, or rail operating companies – with little in the way of a functioning competitive market (often delivering a terrible deal to customers) – they should commit to a new contract. A minimum of of 10% held be should value shareholder their by their customers, to own and benefit from. This gives customers an interest

with little in the way of an honest re-examination, leaving it in the dreadful position of slowly narrowing its base are the important and substantial success business of beneficiaries – change economic unlocking to key the success. electoral and Customer Centred Capitalism aims to share private sector generated wealth widely and economic ensuring power, distribute success benefits customers as well as investors and shareholders. It fits with a One Nation Tory agenda and ensures that the economy operates in a dynamic but fair way. Labour wants to renationalise a swathe of industries, so where better to begin our own revolution and demonstrate and ebbing away to a position of being almost unable to win electoral majorities – allowing the case for the failed policies fill to collectivism nationalisation of and the space and gather widening support. Conservatives need to take a fresh look at how capitalism is working, in the same way that and did in the late They1970s. took on and won the big because poorer arguments intellectual people benefitted Conservative from home own your owning from – policies or business own your owning to party The show shareholding. needs to voters once again that they and the country can benefit from individualism and capitalism post Brexit. The big every get you do citizen how is, question in the to UK benefit from a free market? Centred ‘Customer is answer The Capitalism’. It puts customers at the centre of capitalism, ensuring they

71 Biography entrepreneur an is Wilson Rob built has who businessman, and the in successful businesses sectors. health and technology He served as Conservative MP for Reading East from 2005 to and as2017 Minister for from to 2017, 2014 with a brief which included the volunteering sector, charities enterprise. social and Since leaving Parliament business his on built has Rob career, taking on a number of Non-Executive Director public, the in positions charity arenas. and private He is currently chief executive of a centre-right reform. drug on focusing

the statism of the May years. Today capitalism is being characterised as grubby and greedy, as the fall-out from a is It crisis continues. financial the narrative from the left, designed to powerful very but and undermine, effective in developing a belief that capitalism doesn’t work and it simply The richer. much rich the makes element an is there that is problem of truth in the critique and failing to include everybody in a share of the increasing wealth of the nation has been the Conservative Party’s greatest failure. The leftis posing Conservativethe Party significant a challenge, one that eats away at its reason for existence, and we have largely failed to meet it. Instead the Conservative Party on, muddled has class and another General Election General another and class Conservative the close, draws Party needs at least one big new engage will that emerge to idea and convince voters that it hasn’t run out of road in government, or indeed even as a political party. Conservatives rediscover need to some of their Thatcherite roots at a time when capitalism is under relentless attack; making the case for gives which well-managed markets, people opportunities, their increases wealth and removes our Party from The Conservative leadership The campaign had some positive and interesting individual policies put forward by Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson, but they did not quite add theme strategic coherent a to up or narrative that explains why the Conservative and Party here is what it is At for. a time when Brexit political the overwhelming is Rob of Capitalism Makingthe most

70 Chapter Five Business and the economy 73

Those customers agreeing to have their on discount a get would panels electricity of 20 per cent whilst the panel fitting investment is paid off. When the panels are finally paid off over the gains householder period, the 10-year financial the all gets then and ownership for generated power solar benefit from use in the national grid — a way of customers energy prices for reducing and moving the country quickly to from away energyand renewable fossil fuels.fossil With a bit of creative thinking, there are so many examples where customers can make gains but cost the Government (and so the taxpayer) next to nothing. Voterswill certainly be interested in getting regular financial rewards from a range of companies paying already are they where customers, but it can also give them a say in the running of the business (on size of salaries and who is on the Board, etc.) without it being decisive and decisions. businesses making stopping It makes companies more accountable to customers and brings better wealth the sharing as well as behaviour capitalism centred Customer generated. is a vision for the future that the Conservative Party and grasp should springboard the become could which majorities big with elections winning for once again – just as Margaret Thatcher did. Giving customers a bigger say and economic an be could reward financial revolution, a vote winner and, most importantly, help to revitalise the Conservative Party.

the country. The Government would would Government The country. the partner energy companies with necessary, where repayable providing, loan capital as an investment to fit the energy and Government panels. The companies would be repaid by the electricity from generated income into the national grid over a 10-year period. be pursued. For example, in the energy Conservative a sector Government could agree to fund through loans an to panels solar extensionenormous of every house in the that UK wants them. This would be over a 10-year period, beginning with the poorest parts of it could encourage it for by, example, corporation lower tax rates offering for those that did so. This would prove very popular with customers and at last mistakes signify the payback some for financial the industry during the of industrycrisis. pensions The making is huge and unjustified profits from investing our savings – yet no-one is asking why there are such high fees doing for charges administration and very little. Shouldn’t its customers be investment? their better for rewarded There are also individual customer could that policies capitalism centred banks and other financial institutions institutions financial other and banks benefitting part from ownership. startto would profits financial Huge be shared with bank customers and all those feelings of betrayal anger, greedy towards unfairness and subside. would capitalism Government could not compel this but organisations, sector private with of Capitalism should ConservativeA Government to sector financial the encourage model customer-focused this on take of capitalism, with customers of Makingthe most

72 Chapter Five Business and the economy 74 Towards a capital 75 owning democracy

The United Kingdom is in the midst This will only be achieved if we can Biography not encourage pension funds to invest of a revolution that is changing the develop common standards and Julian is Director of Policy more in the nation’s infrastructure and External Affairs for the way in which our economy works norms that coalesce into a social assets, so that the services we use Association for Consultancy and how it benefits our society. foundation of trust and social capital. and Engineering (ACE) generate the profits that will support Since the mid 2000s we have seen Conservatives are well placed to us in our old age? that companies have begun deliver this, for unlike Liberals, who investing more in ‘intangible’ see the world in terms of individual In the twentieth century the political assets such as branding, design transactions, and Socialists, who debate was between the State and the and technology then they have in see people as mere vassals of the Market, but in the process we forgot physical assets such as machinery, state, we understand not only the about the Community or Commons. hardware and property. vertical interconnectivity of society The challenge before us is now to but the horizontal connectivity of unleash the potential of the community, It might not seem at first as if this the generations. We instinctively just as we unleashed the markets under should matter to us, but it does. The understand that human beings live Margaret Thatcher, to allow us to truly new intangible economy is driving the in communities bound together by become a capital owning democracy. Dr Julian Francis inequality and social divisions that we mutual trust. are seeing across the country, making it harder for us as a society to meet If we are to bring about a capital the challenges of our age. The intrinsic owning democracy we must remove force of the new economic motivator the shackles that have been placed on provides a premium for early adopters people, which force them to operate as and those that are able to create individual agents, to the detriment of synergies across different sectors. family needs. Families and friendship To the companies and individuals groups are the basis of all human who can meet this challenge flow great activity and they can empower us in rewards, but to those who can’t, the tremendous ways. For instance, why gulf between the top and the rest only do we not allow families to merge their widens, leading to falling productivity pension plans into single family trusts and wages. People are now finding it that can be intergenerational and harder and harder to build up the inheritable in the way that trust funds assets that lead to a prosperous life for the wealthy are? This would allow then was the case for past generations. grandparents to receive their pensions Chapter Five Business and the Economy while their children and grandchildren To combat this social distortion, we add to the capital sum and so increase need to transform the way in which intergenerational wealth. To help we approach public policy to ensure bridge the funding gap for home our governmental institutions can meet ownership we could allow co- the needs of people in this changing operatives to be formed where several economic world. What we need is a families pool their savings and act as capital owning democracy that can guarantor for each other’s mortgage, mitigate the worst effects of the market thus allowing people to buy homes and stabilise our political institutions. with lower deposits. Finally, why do we

Finally, the impact on the exchequer would, in the long-term, likely turn out to be either of negligible cost or even a net positive, as businesses are set up and grow which might not otherwise have existed. Of course it is possible that some of these companies end up as the next Google, resulting in complaints about them avoiding tax entirely. But if so, it would only be the case for the first few years of the company’s life – when they tend to be less profitable anyway. This would still potentially leave decades of taxable profit after they reach the age of 30. It is even possible that the Young will Exemption Tax Entrepreneurs encourage more British start-ups to not and longer, for independent remain to be bought out by larger established overseas.companies Fundamentally, the more you tax something the less you’ll get of it. means entrepreneurs young Taxing we are getting fewer of them than we otherwise. aimed would tax A exemption going get people to younger helping at far be would business own their with most acceptable politically than more business-focused taxother cuts. The benefits to the Conservative Party of being the party of young people, the party of opportunity and the party who generation whole a to business of might not otherwise have engaged with us, would be very significant and lasting – as we help to create a generation of people, pro-business more young even enabled to live out our values and to a societybenefit whole. as

The benefits to the young entrepreneurs entrepreneurs young the to benefits The of savings financial the be just not would not having to pay these taxes, but would also include the time saved from the hassle of calculating what was owed to the taxman. There is strong evidence factor hassle this suggests that which to particularly deterrent a strong is are people they when younger set to not or whether considering business. own their up It would also help to send a clear message to this group that the Government wanted to make it as easy as possible for them to have a go at not and business own their up setting tying them in red tape – thereby hopefully encouraging more young people to try. With the ever-increasing rate of technological advance in recent years we are already seeing the rise of people with holding ‘portfolio careers’, at traders sole becoming or jobs multiple various stages of their lives. Giving young whilst direction this in nudge people a they are in, and shortly after they leave, full-time education would be very helpful exposure to something they are likely to have to do atsome point in their career anyway. allows rightly legislation wage Minimum people less younger pay to employers per hour – as they are less likely to be employment. traditional experienced in Exemption Tax Entrepreneurs Young The who people young those give would believe they can add more value to their own business an alternative in which their lack of experience or fresher way of looking at things could pay off.

77 Biography Gareth Lyon is Chairman of the Aldershot and North Hants Conservatives member a and of the Conservative Party Parliamentary Candidates List.

likely to make them more discerning consumers, more likely to be effectively engaged in politics and more likely to be in tune with Conservative Party values. would which initiative policy simple A help to correct this, as well as helping to counter the perception and reality unfairness, inter-generational of this denies younger people a first-hand people a younger denies this is business,experience which of Entrepreneurs Young the be would world, its young people are overwhelmingly in favour of the free market and there is a clear desire at the top of our political system for entrepreneurs. young more despiteYet all of this, our under-30s remain remarkably less likely to set the or UK their counterparts on the Atlantic. the of side other As well as denying our economy the of thousands of hundreds of benefit new businesses, we also lose out on and benefits consumer innovations, increases in productivity which the US and other countries see associated with businesses started by this age group, economy. digital particularly the in On broader a level too we lose out, as Exemption. Tax Put simply, until the age of 30, all revenues and profits earned by by founded and businesses owned, run under 30s would be entirely tax exempt. Britain is one of the most the in countries enterprising a pursue and business own their up than business own their with career in contemporaries older their either Gareth Lyon Gareth The Young Entrepreneurs The Young Exemption Tax

76 Chapter Five Business and the economy 78 Renewing the 79 british democratic and economic compact

My proposals are simple: to boost does make a difference and your local Biography profits, and thereby executive pay and spending on our infrastructure, councillors decide on both tax and Nick has run his own retail bonuses. Equally we need to address websites since 2004 and in return power to our local councils spending in your area. One proviso: the many examples where a company 2016 became part of a team and create a well-regulated there will have to be a top-up grant that conceived and built a has been taken over and subsequently free market. from central government for deprived community owned and loaded with debt whilst the new owner areas. The aim is to restore the pride financed wireless broadband extracts their original purchase amount, Infrastructure is the basis of our and ability of local government to network on the North West leaving the organisation with such success as an economy. Every the levels seen in Birmingham under Coast of . a large debt that there is only one business is built using these the Chamberlains. The drive for outcome. The examples are too many foundations, and the simple process amalgamation and centralisation to list but there is a vast difference of building infrastructure boosts has created a disconnect from the between creative destruction and the economy. Both parties have needs and wants of the local citizens. employees losing their job and been spectacularly neglectful of Ironically, this results in financial costs company pensioners impoverished infrastructure as a strategic national due to the inability to understand and for the sake of a £1.2bn dividend. asset and it is time that we identify it deliver effective solutions in response Nick Lampen not just as an individual profit centre, to local demands. but as the vital foundation of a successful enterprise economy. The Chicago Business School Connecting every premise up to fibre is wrong. The market is not self- in the UK would take 10 years and cost regulating, all companies want to be £30 billion, identical to the current a monopoly, and they do their best projected cost overrun on HS2. Surely to ensure it happens. We need it is right to undertake a project that competition authorities that are willing is in the interest of each and every to act and create competitive markets. person in the United Kingdom rather Governments have been too easily than simply those with a desire to swayed by what is in the interest of travel from Birmingham to London business rather than the interest of the in less time? people who elected them. It is time to demonstrate the simple economic fact Equally it is vital that we return tax that easy profit shows lack of and spending powers to city, county, competition and answer the spurious district, local and village councils and argument made by companies for Chapter Five Business and the Economy stop amalgamation and centralisation mergers that they ‘can’t afford to invest’ in the name of efficiency. For too with the reply that they had better long councils have been purely create demand via new products an extension of, and beholden to, to ensure they can. Whitehall and central government. If people today think that the We must accept and state the fact that government is out of touch and the selling more products to more people economy doesn’t work for them (and and thereby increasing profit is more let’s face it, they’re right) then this is a important and morally right then good place to start so that we can say holding down the wages of employees local democracy does matter, your vote as a way to temporarily increase 6 Localism 82 Elected Mayors: 83 The answer to unlocking Wales’s potential

Additionally the new Prime Minister Biography Under the present system for city deals, The Swansea Bay City Deal review recently announced that part of a Craig Lawton is currently local authority ‘partners’ are left jostling suggested a CEO be appointed. This Chair of TRG Cymru Wales. He new £300 million will go to the Mid for position to have their projects signed is something that Cardiff Deal had previously contested Swansea and North Wales Deals. West at both the 2017 General off first. Smaller local authorities could already done, however Cardiff’s Election and the 2016 Welsh also get squeezed out in favour of the appointment has not stopped With Wales’s productivity 16% below Assembly Election and he bigger, louder voices. Real leadership, councils arguing over investment. the UK average, city deals have the was number two on the as shown by elected mayors in England, A CEO in Swansea may not help those potential to boost the Welsh economy Conservative MEP list for Wales is needed if Welsh city deals are businesses that are struggling to find in the 2019 EU Election. He is a by encouraging more investment former elected councillor and to succeed. a way into the city deal at present. and creating new jobs. However, this is currently Chair of Trustees opportunity could be lost if the city ºfor a regional charity in Wales. Since Andy Burnham was elected Mayor Elected mayors would provide the deals are mismanaged. of Greater Manchester the area has answers to many of the issues the seen an extra £100 million invested to city deals are currently experiencing. In March 2019 a joint UK-Welsh support businesses. This was followed Craig Lawton Government review of the Swansea by a further £1 billion of private sector An elected mayor would be a figurehead Bay City Deal found: funds. Under Andy Street, Mayor of the who could sit above council chamber • Key parts of the Deal were not West Midlands, an additional 9,424 jobs politics. They could be a real beacon for working properly and the Deal were created in 2017-18; the greatest businesses to focus on and engage with. Directly Elected Mayors, should be more open to scrutiny; increase in jobs outside London. And representing various political • There was a disconnect between they are not the only ones. They could provide the real leadership parties and even no party at all, can the City Deal projects and their for the whole region, with a mandate be found in posts across England. business cases. Mayor is from residents, and they have the exploring his region becoming a free authority to stand up to governments • Clarity was needed about how port to increase investment and job in a way a CEO does not. However, step into Wales and things much money the four partner local opportunities, while Sheffield Mayor are very different. There is not a single authorities needed to borrow Dan Jarvis has teamed up with An elected mayor would also allow directly elected mayor. Despite this, • Plans for the City Deal projects had the Local Enterprise Partnership all councillors in the region to fully the UK and Welsh Governments have not been signed off by the UK and to improve education, skills and scrutinise the mayor, resulting in partnered with local authorities in Welsh Governments because the training across the region. improved scrutiny and governance. parts of Wales to set up a number local authorities had not provided

of City Deals. adequate financial plans. Elected mayors in England have Elected mayors are showing real results

The Swansea Bay City Deal and the shown they can work collaboratively in England and they are the answer to Meanwhile Bridgend County Borough with governments, businesses and unlocking the potential of Wales too. Cardiff Capital Region Deal are taking Council, one of ten local authorities shape while there are early plans organisations in ways councils have involved in the Cardiff Capital Deal, not, and their big picture thinking has for Growth Deals in both Mid and has so far invested over £11 million North Wales. allowed them to draw in additional of taxpayers’ money in the project investment from the private sector. without seeing any return. In April 2019 The Swansea Bay City Deal is reported councillors raised concerns that only This is the kind of leadership that the Chapter Six Localism to be worth £1.3 billion to the regional Cardiff would benefit from the deal economy while the Cardiff Capital city and growth deals of Wales need and that, with the majority of funding if the opportunities they represent Deal is worth £1.2 billion, could create earmarked for a South Wales Metro 25,000 jobs, and could lead to an are to be fully realised. System, Cardiff would be the first extra £4 billion of private investment. in line for new stations. Cllr Nickie Aiken

The Community Contribution is evolving, is Community The Contribution but it is here to stay every year alongside tax. council authorities Other local the are looking to go down a similar route; Kensington and Islington, example, for Chelsea. and Our new Conservative Party Leader and Prime Ministerhas made it clear he believes in reform, and in concentrating once policy domestic neglected our on he has finally dealt with the Brexit boil. Local Government finance would be a begin. to place good

85 Biography Leader been has Aiken Nickie City Council Westminster of since January 2017. Leader elected being to Prior Cabinet Aiken’s Council, the of and Children included roles Protection Public People, Young and Licensing. Over her time as a Cabinet Member, Aiken was introduction the for responsible successful council’s the of programme, Choice’ ‘Your significant a in resulted which youth serious in decrease throughout violence gang and the as well as Westminster, launch of ‘Breaking the Silence’, acclaimed Westminster’s domestic abuse strategy. She was also instrumental in overseeing the move to a for arrangement Tri-borough Services, was which Children’s the first of its kind in the UK. As Leader of the Council she council largest the begun had home building programme put has and generation a for improving air quality as the priority. top council’s

Our Community Contribution Scheme Community Contribution Our has so far raised £800,000. Our initial was contribution a for suggestion double the £833 Band H precept they donors generous Some year. last paid have given up to £10,000. The money raised has gone into a fund overseen by the independent an Trust, Charitable tax-efficient it making organisation, invites local groups to bid for grants sleepers, rough help schemes to for people. Much young and lonely, the of the fund has now been distributed for this year. to coincide with the Council Tax Tax Council the with coincide to demands. Many critics said the work. never One would scheme front newspaper national Sunday page reported our ‘guilt tax’, others resurrected the ‘voluntary mansion tax’. I never tire of explaining this isn’t a tax, and it’s voluntary! The outcome has been remarkable. for those contributing. The Trust can afford to pay more to help our communities like to do and so. we’d So – put up our council tax? Council is not a progressive Tax tax. cannotWe just increase the top council tax rate without affecting everyone else – hugely falling unfair, poorestdisproportionately our on households. following scheme the launched We wide consultation with our Band H council tax payers. sent We letters inviting contributions in March 2018 Their altruistic argument was: we

our more affluent constituents who who constituents affluent more our council, the ran we how appreciated tax, were council but low their liked concerned about the cuts to services that may not affect them directly, but didn’t sit comfortably with them. 800 services. other scheme the for motivation The fellow and conversations I from came with having been had councillors Westminster is home to many wealthy as such neighbourhoods people. With have we Knightsbridge, Belgravia and around 2,000 homes worth more than million.£10 Eye-watering, I know! We are and always have been a low-tax authority – we have the lowest band D rate in the country. Our top rate Band H taxpayers currently pay £866 on their properties.multi-million-pound this For weekly collections, get rubbish they highly rated social services and around Westminster’s Community Contribution Community Contribution Westminster’s Scheme was born: our attempt to invite our better-off residents to make a their voluntary alongside contribution council tax, the firstUK local authority to do this. deal whereby a necessary a whereby deal new by balanced was austerity But councils. for freedoms followingincreasingly frustrating and ministers with conversations civil servants, I decided to take the initiative in the realm of new that show and self-funding waysof funding can be realised. it comes to funding to it comes authorities local years 10 For have waited for the promises be to devolution economic of honoured. This was part of the ‘Local’ Government is anything but when when but anything is

84 Chapter Six Localism 86 Where should we 87 be building?

As I exit over crumpled commuters Biography been no strategic planning to support 2. The justification of all rail, highway on the train, I wonder what has Roger France is an Architect and develop that manufacturing belt, and airport proposals should not be and Town Planning Consultant. brought us to such a sad state whilst in the latter an ad-hoc case made merely on basis of cost-benefit of affluence. for saving time has resulted in a analyses. Not only is the cost-benefit simplistic policy that will encourage technique simplistic as a form of A human being was crouching on residents in Birmingham to commute accounting, it derives from the the floor. Today, this commuting to London, compounding capacity. outdated and philosophically compatriot spends one hour forty-eight Again, there has been no strategic discredited utilitarianism of Jeremy minutes travelling between King’s vision to address the imbalance Bentham and John Stuart Mill. Cross and King’s Lynn. Five days of between places of work (employment) repeating returns plus connections and places for living (housing). 3. Two fiascos in the public realm at each end will account for some should shame the Conservative twenty-five hours of his week: Advocating housing on its own is Party: airport expansion at Heathrow wasted time in terms of loss of useful populist and simplistic, and doesn’t instead of a more egalitarian Roger France engagement and loss of time with reach the heart of the problem of distribution of service provision his home life. What is amiss? On the workplace distribution and the link nationally, and the development assumption that our commuter works between the two. of the high-speed HS2 London- in an office, it is reasonable to assume Birmingham-Heathrow instead of a that there is inadequate office An economic region that is successful, Liverpool-Leeds-Birmingham triangle, employment in King’s Lynn yet a surfeit such as London and the south-east, can where such ultra-high speed is not in London. The overarching problem is become physically choked because of called for. The shame is the reliance that central government has allowed its success. This is what we now see on simplistic methods of justification a free market policy to race away with on our overloaded trains and clogged rather than on the more sophisticated property speculation without any highways, and indeed at a time when and proven methods by way of town governing strategy that could have electronic communications ought to and country planning. The operated through nationwide planning. have made much of our travel unpopularity of the Party – and unnecessary. its impact on votes – in those areas Again, it has been known for decades that are affected by transport that the Liverpool-Leeds-Hull axis has Only a strategic approach to economic, overcrowding and environmental been the great manufacturing region social, spatial and environmental blight is caused by an over-reliance in the United Kingdom; Michael planning can begin to turn the physical on narrow methods of calculating Heseltine raised awareness of its lost chaos that we see today into a more benefits, and the Party should begin potential in the 80s, and identified it as humane environment for the twenty- to reassess the ways in which it could the ‘’. But anyone first century. The implications of this create strategies to accommodate who has travelled by rail in the north are as follows: pressures for change in a more will know of the measly twin-track civilised manner. east-west connection served by 1. Transport planning should be charabancs on rails. Yet Midlanders subservient to, and accountable to, In a densely populated country, the wanting quicker access to London a strategic office of Town and Country Party should be wary of announcing Chapter Six Localism have lobbied their way into an HS2 Planning so that new development simplistic policies instead of creating which doubles up the north-south can be thoughtfully guided. professionally considered strategies track. In the former case there has for development and movement. Elizabeth Gibson

monopoly of ‘in-house’ providers being providers being ‘in-house’ monopoly of able to use this as a means of providing an income for local authorities. The that determine also should legislation a foothold in their community but it to neighbourhoods encourages also regenerate, local businesses to thrive councils challenge to electorate the and that give lip service to those who use services. start new their should the We house and owning home of revolution who those encourage to building sidelined perceive themselves as and forgotten to have the opportunity to become the cornerstones of the future of our country. a sinking fund be formed to build up capital for major repairs, e.g. lift repairs, pro donate to have councils that and rata for council tenants. This would have the immediate impact of safeguarding the rights of those who have bought property, and act as a restraint on landlords. profligate Home owning has always been the jewel in of Conservative policies: not only does it give individuals

89 Biography Elizabeth Gibson has been involved in politics for over 30 years, she is currently DC Political for Vauxhall Conservatives, served has as a school governor for 20 years and has been a candidate in two Parliamentary elections.

1979 Thatcher Government has proved proved has Government Thatcher 1979 to be the biggest shift in social mobility by allowing council tenants to buy their property. This has led to left-wing those ‘punish’ to seeking councils who exercised this right by imposing service high astronomically charges on flats within blocks owned by a local hidden more even and authority, revealed when only are which charges the block needs to be refurbished. passed be should Legislation local authority a charging preventing council the than owners more private tenants for maintenance in mixed blocks of flats. They should also have to obtain at least three quotes before engaging any company to carry out works as this would prevent a they sold the property. the sold they Another area which has often proved a challenge for those who wish to buy flats is obtaining a mortgage propertieson commercial above premises, especially those that are food outlets. This needs careful negotiation to mitigate risk to the how consider to also but lender the potential mortgagee can have a the on revitalising effect beneficial high street. Those that live in an area will have more need of shops and meeting places, so it can only be a win-win solution. The ‘Right to Buy’ introduced by the to refurbish and re-let them, or to consider the system used by the potential allowed This GLC. former properties derelict rent whilst buyers to agreeing to renovate them, which guaranteed these ‘homesteaders’ a percentage of the capital when encourage the relevant authorities relevant the encourage

the named tenants are living in their illegal that and housing, social subletting is not taking place. This could take place in conjunction with The roll. electoral the for canvassing audit would also reveal the number of empty properties, would which on in new developments, and indeed developments, and new in on look to other sources to balance the housing stock in favour of renters buyers. house and ensure passed be to should Legislation that alllocal authorities carry out a Statutory Audit to ascertain whether of social housing which is part of the planning agreement is often re-negotiated so that fewer dwellings are built, impacting on the cohesive socially of development neighbourhoods. The Government needs to take drastic back lights the turn to order in action it attracts so many overseas investors housing London perceivewho the market as a safe deposit for their property New millions. often is exclusively marketed at the wealthier end of the housing market, with concomitant the and fittings luxurious percentage The price tag. higher is rapidly reaching crisis point in some in point crisis reaching rapidly is parts of the country, primarily London cities. commuting popular other and because problem unique a has London Post Brexit is a well trodden road, but if the Conservative Party wants re-elected be to enhanced with an majority, new policy ideas that will voters attract capture younger and essential.are The availability of reasonably priced purchase, and rent for both housing, Addressing the Housing Crisis

88 Chapter Six Localism 90 To retain power, 91 Johnson must start giving some of it away

Boris Johnson’s government has, Biography It’s now almost impossible to see the in so many ways, represented George is a political and capital being run from Whitehall like the communications consultant, a distinct change in tone from rest of the UK. So, in that context, why who works with various its predecessor’s. clients in the transport and has progress been so painfully slow infrastructure space. George elsewhere? While his policy on Brexit is the clearest was previously Head of Policy differentiator, shifts in his attitude and Communications for Abellio Early signs from Johnson are promising towards tax cuts and infrastructure – one of the largest providers that he wants to turn this around – of public transport in the UK – investment are just as striking. One with a portfolio including the at least in terms of where he wants to thing which remains unknown, though, ScotRail, Merseyrail and focus investment. This is clearest in his is Johnson’s sentiments towards Greater Anglia rail franchises. decision to push forward with Northern devolution. Because even though Powerhouse Rail. This project will be the new Prime Minister knows how He started his career in a major economic boost for the North politics, working initially as successful devolution can be from his a parliamentary assistant to and shows the Conservative Party’s George Robinson time as Mayor of London, he’ll now a government minister and commitment to all the UK – not just be grappling with the dilemma of giving then as a policy adviser for London and the South East. He now away power only shortly after it has the Conservative Party. He needs to build on this and put his been seized. To not push forward returned to the party on support firmly behind the actual process sabbatical in 2015, helping with further devolution would be of devolution. Skills, for instance, is them during that year’s a mistake, however, and lead to successful general election. a notable policy area still retained by negative consequences for both Whitehall, which leaves many Northern the Conservative party and the UK. cities struggling to adapt their local Conversely, there are clear rewards education systems to their local to be gained from pushing forward the economies. It seems like an easy win agenda started by erstwhile chancellor for Johnson to put in place a process . of moving these powers to those local authorities that are desperate to take From a political perspective, many them on. The timing of all this is crucial. Tory votes are beginning to emerge As many believe we’re close to a general in the North, partly because of their election, having a solid programme of sentiments towards Brexit, and partly regional investment, underpinned by because Labour’s metropolitan elite a devolution agenda, will be essential in couldn’t be less attuned to their shoring up the votes outside of London day-to-day concerns. To create more that are needed to ensure another political positions in these areas is Conservative government. no longer giving Labour a political platform for life, as many Conservatives The progress of devolution was feared. And, in a wider economic lacklustre at best under May, reflected sense, evidence has shown that when in her own desire for centralising power Chapter Six Localism you give local people greater say over around . Johnson must how to run the areas in which they live, depart from this position and realise better and more impactful decisions that, if he wants to retain power for the are made. London is the clear case years to come, he needs to start giving in point and has thrived through some of it away. devolution. 7 The future of The Conservative and Unionist Party 94 Reasons to Remain... 95 Positive

Historically, the Conservative As I reconciled myself to the Biography So, as we consider what life is going to Party has flourished when it has referendum result and the practical David Hunt began his be like outside the European Union, let Parliamentary career in 1976, reached out to the common ground and political necessity for the mandate us go back to first principles, as the becoming MP for Wirral. In of British politics. Harold from the people to be honoured, my Government he served as One Nation Declaration of Values does Macmillan did it, Margaret thoughts turned not to upheaval and a minister under Margaret – and reassert those values again and Thatcher did it and, in 2010 international fragmentation, but to the Thatcher, who made him again and again. If you haven’t seen the and 2015, did it. pressing need to re-invent our Secretary of State for Wales Declaration, please seek it out. It both We must never forget this. relationship with our European in 1990.From 1979 to 1995 Lord provides welcome reassurance and Hunt also held other Ministerial neighbours, by building a new and positions including Secretary also serves as a vivid reminder that Back in May, a group of leading close relationship with them. of State for Employment and we One Nation Conservatives continue One Nation Conservatives published Chancellor of the Duchy of to represent a vitally important strand a Declaration of Values. As with The European Union originated in Lancaster, while also being in our party and right across our everything else in British politics just the profound desire of the post-war appointed to the Privy Council country – and we aren’t going away in 1990. He joined the House of now, the long shadow of Brexit was all generation to replace mutual suspicion Lords in 1997 and was any time soon. too apparent. For many of us, British and animosity with a new spirit of appointed to the front bench in Lord Hunt membership of the European Union co-operation. So far as most of the 2008 by David Cameron. He has not merely been a fact of life: it EU states are concerned, this has been now chairs the Association of has been something to be celebrated, a success, but we should not delude Conservative Peers. Having been a senior partner at the in the best interests of our nation. ourselves: Europe is not going through national law firm DAC a period of harmony and prosperity, Beachcroft, he is now chairman As recently as a decade ago, the idea with the democratic spirit infusing of the firm’s financial services of the United Kingdom leaving the every land and every people. The division and is regarded as a European Union would have seemed far right is resurgent and the tense major figure in the world of

The future of The Conservative and Unionist Party Party Unionist and Conservative The of Chapter future Seven The unthinkable to most of us. Even in relationship between and insurance and financial services. David is also a 2016, many people I knew expected the EU states has the potential to non-executive director of LINK, the result of the referendum to be a outstrip anything that happened Global Risks, ICC Cricket World reaffirmation of our EU membership, in the Cold War. Cup 2019 and chairs the British not a rejection of it. Insurance Brokers’ Association. One Nation Conservatives have always The question of Brexit has always gone recognised the critical need for a far beyond the field of international healthy, social market economy to relations and trade. For millions of our flourish, creating the secure economic fellow citizens, it touches profoundly foundations upon which a free and upon the kind of country we want to be. democratic society can bloom. It is The One Nation Declaration contains not only here in the United Kingdom a call to ‘reject narrow nationalism’. that we want to see those values take Whilst, of course, respecting the desire root. If we are denied the levers of of those drafting such declarations the European Union as a means of to appeal to as wide an audience as promulgating our values, then we possible, I believe we can and should must ensure other conduits are go a little further than that. forged – and quickly.

be one of the defining themes of contemporary Conservatism: central a the to solution long-term the to element coming the faces over Britain challenges decades, and the key to unlocking the major economic reforms we need’ – MP. Freeman George Conservatives, communitarian For means civil and personal freedom interdependence social by tempered and moral restraint, which can create open, progressive inclusive, politics an economic and supports individual that liberty without decaying our values, society. and institutions ConservativeThe Party the has political opportunity new a adopt to philosophy, one that will be relevant, effective and truly conservative. ‘I believe radical devolution to unlock unlock to devolution radical believe ‘I city and entrepreneurial more much city-region to come will leadership

mustWe reform central government to create dynamic public-private and third-sector enterprise-led delivery, dictated by outcomes and mission, not horizontally works which rules,and by than rather problems on focuses and turning e.g. – problems perpetuating the health service into a sickness service, and the job centre into a means to pay benefits. Cartel capitalism disruptive whilst ended, be must promoted be should entrepreneurship top-down ends and that government top-down business. This would be no reheating of the Big Society, but a fundamental re-engineering and realignment of the between government the relationship and the locality. We needWe a new settlement: a Communitarian ‘Community or and power puts Conservatism’ that responsibility within the fabric of civic extended the society around focused local associations affiliated family, through shared values and interests, local and business unions, trade local government. on purely focusing than Rather libertarians as society, or individuals or statists would promote, these community groups can flourish via government: to changes radical community localism, increased ownership of assets through mutualism and Community Interest Companies, and services local public personalisation of delivery. increase to technology using

97 Biography David Hawkins is the MD of Cliveden Advisory. He is a former trustee of Respublica tank think the (2011-2017), established Blond Phillip by George supporter of a is and Freeman MP’s Big Ideas Tent Big and Foundation Festival.Ideas

with feeding existing problems rather rather problems existing feeding with re-engineering solutions.than of our society excluded from asset ownership. Ironically for those that propose less state interference, the more the market government more extended,has the centralised, become more has ever dysfunctional in its silos and fixated redefining our purpose. our redefining Conservatives need to address the issue of populism and devise a new ‘Conservativism’. for principle guiding For too many people freedom and opportunity empty that platitudes are reveal a bankruptcy at the heart of our thinking. For at the heart of all policy and association human be should human flourishing. The late Tip O’Neill said ‘all politics is local’ – many social and economic problems are indeed local, and we and business political, need local how appreciate that solutions social positive outcomes can be maximised when the local community co-operates to create them. Neo-liberal libertarian economics and a us given has philosophy political increasingly is which ‘free’ market typified by oligopoly, a collapse in section entire an meritocracy and What is it to be a Conservative? What do we stand for? The and social political, economic, cultural strains that have been accelerated by and revealed Brexit need to be fundamentally presenting whilst addressed opportunity unique for a David Hawkins David of insurgency Defining Communitarian Conservatism for the age

96 Chapter Seven The future of The Conservative and Unionist Party 99

at work, and within their families. It’s not only about having the policies, it’s about how we do our politics, how we talk about our values, how we communicate, and how we open our arms to allow women to fully contribute. are We and must be a Conservative diverse broad, family, that embodies to female voters the realities of their day to day lives. piece. I’ve been active in politics for over a decade now, in some of the toughest areas for our party in the country – the urban West Midlands. This is a real battleground for our party and home to manyswing and marginal seats. In the West Midlands, you don’t win any election by turning up on polling day with a blue rosette win on. only You tirelessly identifying relentlessly and by the issues that resonate with voters. doorstep of thousands through it’s And learned how I’ve conversations that important it is to have policies on the bread and butter issues that affect women’s day to day lives, at home, Will it win votes? I’ve often heard it argued that it’s pointless for us to focus on ‘women’s issues’ because ‘our voters don’t vote issues”.’ “women’s on Clearly, I strongly disagree with this, otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this

Winning Women’s Votes Winning Women’s In 2017 RachelIn 2017 became the MP for Redditch County. Biography Parliament, entering Before technology a was Rachel also and entrepreneur co-founded an HR software platform a providing business, for SMEs to use the latest their run to tools technology efficiently. businesses more Rachel Maclean MP

98 Chapter Seven The future of The Conservative and Unionist Party 8 Global Britain 102 Why Ending FGM and 103 other forms of violence against girls is a strong bet for unlocking better economic futures

Who runs the world? Definitely Biography Aid agencies, management Earlier this year I co-founded The Five not girls. But we now have a Prime Nimco Ali is co-founder of The consultancies and other intermediaries Foundation, the Global Partnership to Five Foundation, The Global Minister and a UK Government have also become bloated by costs End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Partnership To End FGM. that not only cares deeply about and overheads, meaning much of One of our big priorities is to get funding the well-being of girls around the the money is eaten up along the way, to women’s groups that are working to world, but also understands how with very little visibility of how it is spent end this extreme form of violence on investing in them is the answer or where. We place so much trust in the frontlines. This is not about giving to so many of the world’s ills. foreign governments but so little in aid per se, but rather investing in the those individuals and groups that are futures of women and girls so that With equal access to education, actually doing most of the heavy slog to obstacles can be removed from their healthcare, employment and change lives and improve societies. paths to enable them to be educated representation in political and and then to contribute – without fear – economic decision-making, girls and I believe that they will always be a need to the societies they live in. women are a force to be reckoned for ‘direct aid’ in times of extreme social Nimco Ali with; a force that will build resilient and economic hardship. It can make Ending FGM and other forms of societies and prosperous, sustainable the difference between life or death for violence against girls is a strong bet economies; a force that will achieve many people. However, the UK needs for unlocking better economic futures lasting peace and end poverty. to add a second dimension. Instead for some of the countries we often of sending £14 billion overseas, think about as ‘recipients’ rather than The old way of thinking about aid the Department for International meaningful contributors to global – sending it to governments directly – Development (DfID) should work with peace and prosperity. should be scaled back by the UK. While others to see how to best invest in this certainly helps some, it is not the growing economies. DfID should not most efficient way of investing in be seen as a bank account for aid human capital. In years gone by it agencies and governments but as a was assumed that governments could department that can and will empower be relied upon to distribute aid to the and invest in those who can deliver people that needed it, but now I feel a better and equal world. that the level of corruption is so deep-rooted that there is no guarantee that it will reach its intended audience. Some countries have also become

Global Britain Global Eight Chapter so reliant on aid that they have not invested in building their own economies and tax systems, which are central to fuelling future growth and prosperity – without foreign aid. 104 Empowering diaspora 105 communities is a sustainable and progressive approach to international development

The contribution of diaspora In areas such as healthcare, the Biography References communities residing in the United UK diaspora community could Dr Na’eem Ahmed is a 1. Plaza KN Sonia. What We Know About Consultant Radiologist with Diasporas and Economic Development Kingdom towards the economic emulate that of US practicing Indian an interest in healthcare service [Internet]. migrationpolicy.org. 2013 [cited development of their countries cardiologist Dr Prathap Reddy, whose delivery and reform. Na’eem is 2019 Aug 6]. Available from: https://www. of origin often remains under- Apollo Hospital group in , one of a former Trustee at Macmillan migrationpolicy.org/research/what-we- appreciated. the largest healthcare groups in Asia, Cancer support, Advisory know-about-diasporas-and-economic- has 8,500 beds in 50 hospitals and Board member for the Mayor development The role of diasporas is not just limited is providing accessible care through of London’s Team London 2. Diaspora Bonds – Master of Development and Founder at Selfless, a NGO Practice [Internet]. [cited 2019 Aug 6]. to transfer of remittances. Diaspora telemedicine and cutting-edge which has a focus on Available from: https://mdp.berkeley.edu/ (1) communities promote trade by buying robotic surgery . international development. diaspora-bonds/ produce from their countries of origin Na’eem is former Clinical Fellow 3. nKazeem Y. Nigeria’s first ever diaspora bond nd invest in local infrastructure such Government can immediately assist to the NHS Medical Director has raised $300 million [Internet]. Quartz as housing, schools and clinics. In diaspora communities by ensuring Professor Sir Bruce Keogh and Africa. [cited 2019 Aug 6]. Available from: former Editorial Board member https://qz.com/africa/1014533/nigeria- Senegal, for example, an investment greater transparency in fees from of the Royal College of has-raised-300-million-from-its-first-ever- fund was created for Senegalese remittance providers which continue Physicians’ Clinical Medicine diaspora-bo Na’eem Ahmed abroad which has supported 804 to vary amongst competitors and and Future Healthcare Journal. projects worth 20 billion CFA francs drive donors to less secure providers. He has been awarded the Prime ($40 million) (1). Promotion and facilitation of diaspora Minister’s Point of Light Award and is a Medalist of the Order of bonds, with added security and the . Highly skilled members of diaspora scrutiny from UK government, communities possess learning and may have the potential to provide experiences that they can share with sustainable financing for development their countries of origin (Skillanthropy). overseas. Israel has been able to raise These skills, coupled with their ability $25 billion through this and more to navigate in-country bureaucracies recently Nigeria announced a and instability, make these $300 million bond (1,2,3). communities a hidden but potent force in international development. A local The Department for International example of this is the London-based Trade, DFID and the British Council billionaire Mohamed Ibrahim, who has could collaborate to provide fora for established mobile phone networks UK diaspora communities to engage serving 21 million subscribers in in development opportunities. A (1)

Global Britain Global Eight Chapter 14 African countries . ‘diaspora first’ approach would enable the UK government to harness the enthusiasm, entrepreneurship and networks of those with a long-term interest in their countries of origin. This also may go some way in reducing our dependence on external agencies to deliver development projects. A huge thanks to Stephanie Reeves who has expertly Acknowledgements collated and edited this edition of The Reformer; to Richard Watkins for taking the time to proof read the submissions; to Sarah Fletcher for project managing the publication and keeping us on track; and – of course – to each of the contributors, without whom this publication would simply not be possible.

List of Contributors

Bim Afolami MP Jamie Macfarlane Nimco Ali Rachel Maclean MP Andrew Baker Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP Christopher Balfour Andrew Morrison Lord Black of Brentwood Dr Na’eem Ahmed Bruce Buckland Cllr Nickie Aiken Duncan Cowan Gray Daisy Powell-Chandler Roger France Stephanie Reeves Elizabeth Gibson Josh Rendall Rt Hon Damian Green MP George Robinson Robert Harvey Chloe Schendel-Wilson David Hawkins Emma Sims Rt Hon Lord Heseltine CH Adam Smith Nigel Huddleston MP Hal Stevenson Carl Hunter OBE Jeannette Towey Cllr Jonathan Canty Ruan Tremayne Dr Julian Francis Nick Weston Nick Lampen Lord Hunt of Wirral Craig Lawton Rob Wilson Gareth Lyon Angus Young Tory Reform Group 83 Victoria Street Westminster London SW1H 0HW

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