INSIDE Interview with Ed Balls MP Coverage of the French election Examining Labour’s policies on crime ANTICIPATIONS Has Labour got the bottle? We look at the progressive policies you think Labour should have introduced, and ask why they haven’t Spring 2007 Volume 10, Issue 4 photo diary young fabians’ new members drinks the old star pub, central london, thursday 15 march 2007 anticipations | spring 2007 CONTENTS centrespread interview: Ed Balls MP Emma Carr talks spending, poverty and football with Minister for the City and Financial Services and Economic Secretary to the Treasury president of the french? or president of france? The French Presidential election campaign has mirrored the ambiguity of the role, believes Alexander Barker Page 20 tale away Labour has lacked narrative in government, argues Mark Rusling Page 18 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 17 | trimming the fat Britain’s higher education system needs further reform, argues Andrew Maloney Has Labour got the bottle? Other articles 6 | the case for charitable government Until government can meet its public service ideals, 22 | change to win? charities should be encouraged to bridge the gap, Both the Tories and Labour have forgotten that the argues Tamsin James Conservatives are entirely capable of change, argues Edward Robinson 8 | tough on crime? Labour often claim credit for reducing crime, but could do 24 | independence day? more to prevent it, believes Emma Carr On the eve of elections to Holyrood, Scottish Labour stand in stark contrast to the SNP’s inconsistency, writes 10 | identity crisis Joe Fagan By developing a story of Britishness, Labour can reinvig- orate the Britishness debate, and reclaim British identity Regular items as an electoral asset, contends Sarah T’Rula 4 | from the editor 12 | the grass isn’t always greener a letter from Emma Carr Green taxes are for government, not opposition, writes Andrew Hanson 5 | from the chair a word from Conor McGinn 13 | on the war path Gordon Brown must make the declaration of war a thing 26 | calendar of events of the past, believes Dan Whittle a diary of past and future events from the young fabians Anticipations, like all publications of the Fabian Society, and the Young Fabians, represents not the collective view of the Society, but only the views of the individuals whose articles it comprises. The responsibility of the Society is limited to approving its publications as worthy of consideration within the Labour movement. Published by The Fabian Society, 11 Dartmouth Street, London, SW1H 9BN Telephone: 0207 227 4900 | Facsimile: 0207 976 7153 Websites: www.fabian-society.org.uk and www.youngfabians.org.uk Printed by Juma Printers, 44 Wellington Street, Sheffiel, S1 4HD The editor would like to thank: Alex Baker and Angela Green. 3 anticipations | spring 2007 from the editor Emma Carr e lcome to your new and improved Members’ Reception, which was one of our most suc- Anticipations. Now, I’m of the set of peo- cessful receptions ever, not just because of the social ple that likes to point out that a thing magician either – although he was undoubtedly the W cannot be both new and improved, it best socialist magician I’ve ever seen. must surely be one or the other, but I think you’ll So, given the new design and all the hard-hitting agree that merely new or improved would not fully terribly wonderful articles, I’m sure you’ll all agree encapsulate the wonder that is the new look that this edition, despite being a little later than Anticipations. I am therefore allowing the phrase new hoped, has been worth the wait. However, that does and improved, just this once. mean that there is a shorter turn around for the next Anyway, I would like to thank Young Fabian mem- edition, so you need to write fast. ber and design impresario Alex Baker for his help in The theme of the next edition will be Labour Party redesigning. By help, I mean he did it and I said leadership. So, if you’ve got an opinion about the encouraging things every now and again. Thank you who, how, when and where of Labour Party leader- Alex. ship, past, present or future, please let us know. As Ok, now that we’ve all been introduced to the mag- ever, email me your ideas as soon as possible. The azine, its shiny new look and the genius behind it, on final deadline for contributions will be May 28th. with the show. In addition, we’ll hopefully be interviewing all the For this edition of Anticipations we asked you to tell deputy leadership candidates. So, if you have any us about the policies that questions for the candi- a Labour Government Given the new design and all dates, please email them to should introduce but has- me as soon as possible. n’t, can’t or won’t. the hard-hitting terribly If you would like to con- And you delivered, so wonderful articles, I’m sure tribute in any other way, thank you. please email me and let me Some of the ideas so you’ll agree that this edition, know. Help is always wel- vehemently argued for in comed. the pub after a few pints despite being a little later than So thanks again to every- didn’t quite make it hoped, has been worth the wait. one who contributed and down on paper – 100% keep up the good work. If inheritance tax was one interesting idea, although my you’d like to be more active with the society in other personal favourite was outlawing reality TV and C- ways, please come along to one of our events and list celebrities. meet other members and the exec. On balance, it’s probably a good thing that these Also, as if to prove that we in the Young Fabians are arguments have not made it to the pages of this mag- properly ‘down with the kids’ we have set up a Young azine. Instead, we have articles on topics including Fabian Facebook group. green taxes, education, crime policy and charities – all If you’re a Facebook member, join the YF group and very worthy but none designed specifically to keep keep up-to-date with all the events and campaigning Jade Goody off the telly, unfortunately. that’s going on. If you’re not a facebook member, you Despite this obvious and regrettable flaw, the arti- probably think I’m talking gobbledegook right now. cles make interesting reading so please read on - espe- Go to www.facebook.com and sign up, put your profile cially if you’re a policy maker, of course. up and then join the Young Fabian group. In addition to designing the policies of the future, So, once again, I hope to see you at the next Young Young Fabian members have contributed articles on Fabian event. Scottish independence, the French Presidential elec- Oh, and don’t forget to book early for the boat party tion and the need for a Labour Party narrative. and for the trip to Edinburgh festival this year as Our main interview this month is with Ed Balls, places are limited (for more information, see the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and MP for future events section on page 26). Normanton. The interview explores the key policy issues of health and social care funding, the gap between the rich and the poor, mixed gender football Emma Carr in schools and offices the size of postage stamps. Editor, Anticipations We’ve also got some pictures from the New [email protected] 4 anticipations | spring 2007 from the chair Conor McGinn s we make our way steadily through one of the ing our country. The themes of Britishness, constitution- most important years in British politics since al and party reform and democracy, the environment, 1997, the Young Fabians as expected are at the Europe and international matters are all things that our A forefront of encouraging debate and discus- generation have a particular view on. It is important that sion about the future direction and policies of the Labour these debates are not solely conducted and led by those movement. whose views have been shaped by growing up in a Young Fabians know that it is vital for our generation world that no longer exists, and who are, in many ways, of political activists to constantly strive for creative, inno- completely removed from the formative experiences of vative and sustainable policies that will continue the our generation. It is our generation that will have to deal efforts that have been made in the last ten years to with the consequences of global terrorism, multicultural- advance progressive politics in this country. Every single ism, immigration, climate change, welfare reform and member of the Young Fabians has their role to play in many other issues. that. Already this year we’ve employed various new We are also pleased to be working jointly with the methods to ensure that our members can contribute to Fabian Society on a series of seminars to explore the key this process, with telephone conferences, online discus- issue of party reform. Young Fabians organised a very sion forums and of course our events with key members timely debate on this and there is some really innovative of Government and party. Work is also well underway thinking and new ideas emerging from Young Fabian with a pamphlet that we members to help shape the hope to publish in the Young Fabians know that it is future direction of the autumn and our reinvigo- Labour movement. We are rated Schools Project will act vital for our generation of also continuing to build as a great tool for encourag- political activists to constantly partnerships with our ing young people in schools friends and colleagues in to be politically aware and strive for creative, innovative Young Labour and Labour active in developing and and sustainable policies that will Students.