DOCSLIB.ORG

Monitor-34.Pdf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Monitor-34.Pdf | THE CONSTITUTION UNIT NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 34 | SEPTEMBER 2006 | MONITOR HUMAN RIGHTS SABRE RATTLING IN THIS ISSUE This summer saw some strange manoeuvring Chahal v UK which led the High Court to rule that as the Labour and Conservative Party leaders the Afghan hijackers could not be deported back PARLIAMENT 2 sought to outdo each other in attacking the to Afghanistan, because they faced the risk of Human Rights Act. Following a court decision ‘inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment’. in May overruling the proposed deportation PUBLIC HONOURS 2 of nine Afghan hijackers, which both party David Cameron’s pledge of a British bill of rights UNDER SCRUTINY leaders said defied common sense, the Prime could have more far-reaching consequences, Minister ordered a review of the operation of not least because of his wish for the bill of rights the Act. In a speech to the Centre for Policy to be entrenched. Ironically it was Labour Party Studies on 26 June David Cameron went policy in 1997 to move to a British bill of rights PARLIAMENT AND THE 3 one stage further and promised to scrap the as a second stage, but that was quietly dropped ROYAL PREROGATIVE Human Rights Act altogether and replace it once the ECHR had been incorporated. Cameron with a British bill of rights. recognises the UK’s commitment to remain within the ECHR, so his British bill of rights would have CONSERVATIVE PARTY 3 Both leaders were responding to a long running to be the ECHR plus: unless there are further CONSTITUTIONAL POLICY press campaign. The Sun, Mail and Telegraph derogations, it cannot be ECHR minus. The have portrayed the act as a charter for foreigners drafting will be left to a panel of experts, but he and scoundrels, and EU inspired to boot. These also promised to promote public debate as the papers welcomed Blair’s review and Cameron’s drafting proceeds, in order to achieve a lasting DEVOLUTION 3 commitment to scrap the Act; but the small consensus. If that public debate is achieved, over print of the politicians’ statements was more a number of years as Cameron suggested, a nuanced than the headlines they generated. On British bill of rights could become as deep rooted FOCUS ON GERMANY 4 the Labour side, the Prime Minister asked the as the Canadian Charter of Fundamental Rights Home Secretary ‘to look again at whether primary and Freedoms, and no longer capable of being legislation is needed to address the issue of depicted as part of some European plot. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION 5 court rulings which overrule the government in a way that is inconsistent with other EU countries’ NEW DEVOLUTION ACT FOR WALES interpretation of the ECHR’. The Government of Wales bill finished its PARTY FUNDING REFORM 6 The report of the government’s review published parliamentary passage in July, just before on 25 July represents a victory for the DCA Parliament rose for the summer. Its final approval over No 10 and the Home Office. Lord Falconer followed a short stand-off between Commons and THINK TANKS IN THE NEWS 6 concludes that the impact of the Human Rights Lords, although the bill passed through the Lords Act on UK law and policy making overall has with relatively few amendments. The main point been beneficial. Difficulties have only arisen of contention was the ban on ‘dual candidacy’ because of myths and misperceptions about the for both constituency and regional list seats in FOCUS ON CATALONIA 6 Act; and because of over-zealous interpretation National Assembly elections. Opposition and by officials, who may occasionally pay too much cross-bench peers in the Lords sought to undo the attention to individual rights at the expense of the proposal to ban this which had been adopted by CONSTITUTION UNIT NEWS 7 wider community (as seems to have happened the Commons and included in both the 2005 white in the case of the release by the Parole Board paper Better Governance for Wales, and Labour’s of Anthony Rice). To counter these difficulties UK general election manifesto. Ultimately, a BULLETIN BOARD 8 the government is to lead a drive to ensure that trade-off with a compromise on the rules for the the public are better informed about the benefits composition of Assembly committees enabled of the HRA, and that officials place appropriate Liberal Democrat peers to abstain, and the bill to emphasis on public safety. The Home Office is to pass with the ban intact. The new election rules review how police, probation, parole and prison will apply at the May 2007 Assembly elections, services balance public protection and individual and the new arrangements including a formal rights; and in a gesture to the Prime Minister’s split between the devolved legislature and the original concerns, the government ‘if necessary, executive (to be called the Welsh Assembly will legislate to ensure that public protection is Government) will apply after then. given priority’. For the report see www.dca.gov. uk/peoples-rights/human-rights/pdf/exec_ The most important provisions of the new Act are summ_intro.pdf. those enabling legislative powers to be conferred 34 on the Assembly. Initially, powers will be The government is also planning a more conferred on a case-by-case basis by secondary The Constitution Unit proactive and strategic approach to human Westminster legislation. Broader legislative UCL Department of Political Science rights litigation. As part of this it is supporting a powers over the whole of 20 ‘fields’ set out in the Director: Professor Robert Hazell CBE test case brought by the Netherlands to try to Act, including health, education, local government www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution-unit persuade the European Court of Human Rights to and agriculture, can be conferred following Email: constitution@ucl.ac.uk incorporate a balancing test into its jurisprudence approval in a referendum, which the Secretary Phone: +44 (0) 20 7679 4977 on deportation. It was the court’s 1996 decision in of State will call. These procedures raise many Fax: +44 (0) 20 7679 4978 | THE CONSTITUTION UNIT MONITOR | ISSUE 34 | SEPTEMBER 2006 | 2 PARLIAMENT questions. It is unclear what legislative the 666 after most hereditaries departed be agreed. Ministers have indicated that powers the Assembly will seek in the short in 1999. One difficulty is that peers cannot agreement is necessary if reform is to term, how transfer orders will be scrutinised retire (though they can go on temporary proceed, and yet most accept that reform at Westminster, how these powers ‘leave of absence’, and these figures will change the relationship between the will relate to greater proposed use of exclude the handful who have done so). chambers and thus conventions may framework legislation in primary legislation This problem was highlighted in July by crumble anyway. One thing to emerge for England and Wales, or even how long former Liberal Democrat frontbencher Lord is the government distancing itself from this ‘transitional’ phase might last. So far Phillips of Sudbury, when he announced the manifesto proposal to limit Lords’ there is little indication from the Assembly his desire to leave the House. He consideration of bills to 60 sitting days Government of its legislative ideas, introduced the Life Peerages (Disclaimer) – not least because evidence from the Bill, which would allow life peerages to be Clerks showed that almost half of bills take although the looming election campaign renounced, and require the prime minister more time than this. A 60-day limit would may stimulate the parties to come up to appoint a replacement from the same thus be contrary to recent convention. with interesting proposals. The extent to political party. The bill has no immediate which the new Act leaves Welsh devolved prospect of becoming law. House of Lords Speaker Elected government entangled with the UK’s may prove highly problematic, however, Joint committee on conventions On 4 July 2006, a minor piece of especially when different parties hold constitutional history was made as the office in London and Cardiff. While the bill In May the long-awaited parliamentary joint House of Lords elected its first Speaker. is an imaginative technical response to a committee on the Lords was established. Nine candidates stood for election to the clever political compromise, those technical However, contrary to rumour (and the post under the Alternative Vote System. responses may not be able to cope with report in the last Monitor) it will not With 581 votes cast, Baroness Hayman serious political differences. consider the chamber’s composition, but won the election replacing the Lord only conventions governing its relationship Chancellor from his centuries-old position Lords Reform with the Commons. The Joint Committee on the ‘woolsack’. on Conventions comprises 11 peers and The controversy over ‘cash for peerages’ 11 MPs (11 Lab, 6 Con, 3 Lib Dem, 2 The Lords took the decision to elect its (see below), coupled with the appointment Crossbench). It is chaired by Labour’s own presiding officer in July 2005 following of Jack Straw as Leader of the House Lord (Jack) Cunningham, who skilfully the enactment of the Constitutional Reform of Commons, have reawakened interest steered the previous committee away Bill which makes it possible for the Lord in Lords reform. The May reshuffle saw from conclusions that the Commons might Chancellor to be drawn from either House. agree on in 2003. In contrast this time The move also fits in with a trend for a Straw not only change jobs, but take ministers are seeking agreement, but clearer separation of the three branches responsibility for Lords reform policy from seem unlikely to get it.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Baker to Balls: Do Politicians Really Make a Difference?
    Caroline Benn Memorial Lecture 2010 Baker to Balls: Do Politicians really make a difference? Lecturer: Barry Sheerman INTRODUCTION This afternoon I want to engage with you in a way that is appropriate at an event where we remember our friend and comrade Caroline Benn. Caroline was a formidable woman who loved to engage in the cut and thrust of debate. Caroline Benn is probably most famous for her passionate campaign for a fully comprehensive education system in Britain but I remember her as much more than that. When she worked with me when I was a young shadow minister it was obvious that she thrived on the lively exchange of ideas and it was her passion for fairness founded on social justice and education as the foundation stone for a fair society that shone through. She didn’t campaign for comprehensives as a panacea. It is Caroline’s passion for debate, the conviction she held that education was the key to social justice and indeed the fond memories I have of her that I reflected on as I prepared my talk for today. In view of this I hope that my contribution will lead to a vigorous exchange, that takes the longer view of the education debate in this country. I am sure that were Caroline here she would have much to say in response to what I put forward today. It is a great sadness that she is not. But I hope that it might inform the development of future policy as education enters a very different and challenging phase.
    [Show full text]
  • The Blair Government's Proposal to Abolish the Lord Chancellor
    The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law CUA Law Scholarship Repository Scholarly Articles and Other Contributions Faculty Scholarship 2005 Playing Poohsticks with the British Constitution? The Blair Government's Proposal to Abolish the Lord Chancellor Susanna Frederick Fischer The Catholic University, Columbus School of Law Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.edu/scholar Part of the Law Commons Recommended Citation Susanna Frederick Fischer, Playing Poohsticks with the British Constitution? The Blair Government's Proposal to Abolish the Lord Chancellor, 24 PENN. ST. INT’L L. REV. 257 (2005). This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Faculty Scholarship at CUA Law Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Scholarly Articles and Other Contributions by an authorized administrator of CUA Law Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact edinger@law.edu. I Articles I Playing Poohsticks with the British Constitution? The Blair Government's Proposal to Abolish the Lord Chancellor Susanna Frederick Fischer* ABSTRACT This paper critically assesses a recent and significant constitutional change to the British judicial system. The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 swept away more than a thousand years of constitutional tradition by significantly reforming the ancient office of Lord Chancellor, which straddled all three branches of government. A stated goal of this legislation was to create more favorable external perceptions of the British constitutional and justice system. But even though the enacted legislation does substantively promote this goal, both by enhancing the separation of powers and implementing new statutory safeguards for * Susanna Frederick Fischer is an Assistant Professor at the Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America, in Washington D.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Blair's Britain
    Blair’s Britain: the social & cultural legacy Social and cultural trends in Britain 1997-2007 and what they mean for the future the social & cultural legacy Ben Marshall, Bobby Duffy, Julian Thompson, Sarah Castell and Suzanne Hall Blair’s Britain: 1 Blair’s Britain: the social & cultural legacy Social and cultural trends in Britain 1997-2007 and what they mean for the future Ben Marshall, Bobby Duffy, Julian Thompson, Sarah Castell and Suzanne Hall 2. The making of Blair’s Britain Contents Foreword 2 Summary 3 1. Introduction 8 Ipsos MORI’s evidence base 8 From data to insight 9 2. The making of Blair’s Britain 12 Before Blair 12 Blair, Labour and Britain 13 Brown takes over 15 3. Blair’s Britain, 1997-2007 18 Wealth, inequality and consumerism 18 Ethical consumerism, well-being and health 24 Public priorities, public services 31 People, communities and places 36 Crime, security and identity 43 ‘Spin’ and the trust deficit 48 Technology and media 51 Sport, celebrity and other pastimes 54 Summary: Britain then and now 56 4. Brown’s Britain: now and next 60 From understanding to action 60 Describing culture through opposites 60 Mapping oppositions 65 Summary: what next? 70 Endnotes 72 the social & cultural legacy Blair’s Britain: Foreword There are many voices and perspectives in Britain at the end of the Blair era. Some of these say the British glass is half full, others that it is half empty. Take the National Health Service as an example. By almost every indicator, ask any expert, there is no doubt things are very much better.
    [Show full text]
  • Love Pattern : Choosing Patterns to Live With
    LOVE PATTERN : CHOOSING PATTERNS TO LIVE WITH Author: Charlotte Abrahams Number of Pages: 256 pages Published Date: 07 Sep 2021 Publisher: Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd Publication Country: London, United Kingdom Language: English ISBN: 9780711257481 DOWNLOAD: LOVE PATTERN : CHOOSING PATTERNS TO LIVE WITH Love Pattern : Choosing patterns to live with PDF Book Starting from the introduction of agronomic traits, particularly stress resis- tance to diverse environmental factors, process and sensory characteristics, food quality and production of novel varieties of plant-based products through genetic engineering, biotechnology is changing the,;agriculture and the concept of production of plant-ba~~d raw materials. Despite the break-of-gauge' at Truro, these two railways formed part of a through route between Paddington and Penzance and, as such, they were subsequently absorbed into the GWR system as part of the present-day West of England main line. uk "This book is invaluable for the first time, or even the long term, distance learner. Originally broadcast as a Radio 4 series, here the improvised dialogue is replicated as a playscript, and Orbach offers us the experience of reading along with a session, while revealing what is going on behind each exchange between analyst and client. senelsymons. Bargmann and P. With each section prefaced by illuminating discussions of that particular culture's language, "Slang" goes well beyond the role of a traditional dictionary; it lays claim to a treasured place in any language lover's library. 0 or later. Blacksmiths, edge- tool makers, die-makers, machine builders, and engineers were continually asking questions whose answers involved study and experiment.
    [Show full text]
  • Queen's Privy Council
    ORDERS APPROVED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT Privy Council BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 28th JUNE 2007 AT 6.00 PM ORDERS APPROVED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 28th JUNE 2007 AT 6.00 PM Counsellors present The Lord President of the Council Rt Hon Baroness Ashton of Upholland Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP Rt Hon Jack Straw MP Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP Rt Hon David Miliband MP Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP Rt Des Browne MP Rt Hon John Hutton MP Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC, MP Rt Hon John Denham MP Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP Rt Hon Peter Hain MP Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP Lord President Baroness Ashton of Upholland was declared and sworn Lord President of the Council. Privy Three Orders recording that Ed Balls MP, Shaun Woodward MP, Counsellors and Andy Burnham MP were sworn as Members of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council. One Order recording that James Purnell MP was admitted, on affirmation, as a Member of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council. First Lord of Order recording that the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP was sworn the Treasury https://www.privy-council.org.uk/files/word/28th%2520June%25202007%2520List.doc Page 1 ORDERS APPROVED AT THE PRIVY COUNCIL HELD BY THE QUEEN AT Privy Council BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON 28th JUNE 2007 AT 6.00 PM First Lord of the Treasury and Minister for the Civil Service. Lord Order recording that the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP was sworn Lord Chancellor and Secretary of High Chancellor of Great Britain and Secretary of State for State for Justice Justice.
    [Show full text]
  • Women As Executive Leaders: Canada in the Context of Anglo-Almerican Systems*
    Women as Executive Leaders: Canada in the Context of Anglo-Almerican Systems* Patricia Lee Sykes American University Washington DC psykes@american.edu *Not for citation without permission of the author. Paper prepared for delivery at the Canadian Political Science Association Annual Conference and the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, Concordia University, Montreal, June 1-3, 2010. Abstract This research identifies the obstacles and opportunities women as executives encounter and explores when, why, and how they might engender change by advancing the interests and enhancing the status of women as a group. Various positions of executive leadership provide a range of opportunities to investigate and analyze the experiences of women – as prime ministers and party leaders, cabinet ministers, governors/premiers/first ministers, and in modern (non-monarchical) ceremonial posts. Comparative analysis indicates that the institutions, ideology, and evolution of Anglo- American democracies tend to put women as executive leaders at a distinct disadvantage. Placing Canada in this context reveals that its female executives face the same challenges as women in other Anglo countries, while Canadian women also encounter additional obstacles that make their environment even more challenging. Sources include parliamentary records, government documents, public opinion polls, news reports, leaders’ memoirs and diaries, and extensive elite interviews. This research identifies the obstacles and opportunities women as executives encounter and explores when, why, and how they might engender change by advancing the interests and enhancing the status of women. Comparative analysis indicates that the institutions, ideology, and evolution of Anglo-American democracies tend to put women as executive leaders at a distinct disadvantage.
    [Show full text]
  • The Training and Development Agency for Schools a Political
    The Training and Development Agency for Schools A political history of the challenges faced by the government in improving teacher training provision in England: 1990-2005 Adrian Ellis A Paper Commissioned by the National Center on Education and the Economy for the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce April 2006 ©National Center on Education and the Economy, 2006 THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR SCHOOLS A POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE CHALLENGES FACED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN IMPROVING TEACHER TRAINING PROVISION IN ENGLAND: 1990-2005 Adrian Ellis April 2006 ©National Center on Education and the Economy, 2006 Foreword… FOREWORD Throughout the 1990s, England faced a sever teacher shortage1, as well as a marked lack of public confidence in the quality of those teachers who were choosing to enter the profession. The British press reported stories of schools being unable to fill teacher vacancies, with only a small percentage of those who did apply for jobs coming from the elite “Russell Group” of Universities – a group of 19 of top ranking British Universities2. By 2004, however, the supply crisis had been solved in almost all subjects3, with the largest intake of newly qualified teachers for thirty years. Final-year undergraduates in 2005 nominated teaching as their first choice of career – for the first time ever, with 14.2% of those surveyed choosing teaching. Furthermore, 54% more people coming into teaching this year are from the Russell Group of elite universities compared with 1997.4 Since 1990, teacher training in England has been transformed, both in terms of the supply of new teachers entering schools, and the quality of the training provided.
    [Show full text]
  • Governors' Area Forum
    Governors’ Area Forum What can Governance do for you? Peter Hobbs Lead School Governance Officer March 2012 Continuity and Change HASG’s first year: . Members’ website . Newsletter . Co-productions . Forum Meetings Nationally: . Education Act . Academies Act . New Ofsted Framework Continuity and Change 1990 - three roles of a governing body: . Strategic . Challenge and Support . Accountable Nationally since 1990: . Prime Ministers: 5 . Sec. of State for Education: ? Continuity and Change 11 Education Secretaries: . John MacGregor (89-90) . Kenneth Clarke (90-92) . John Patten (92-94) . Gillian Shepherd (94-97) . David Blunkett (97-01) . Estelle Morris (01-02) . Charles Clarke (02-04) . Ruth Kelly (04-06) . Alan Johnson (06-07) . Ed Balls (07-10) . Michael Gove (10- ) The Legacy for Governors . Greater devolved powers . Much less guidance Some examples: . FMSIS v SFVS . SEF . Anti Bullying . Ofsted . Capability & Appraisal Help on the journey ahead Currently: . 98% Herts schools use Governance services – includes academies and free schools . 32 course topics . 368 governors courses run since September – approx. 7000 delegates Innovations . New courses for new powers/duties . 2 projects on good practice . E-learning . Additional governors . Chairs’ Service . Clerking Service . New structures Performance Management 2006 From 1 Sept. 2012 . GB adopts PM policy . GB adopts document . Consultation on policy setting out appraisal process . Policy review annually . DfE’s model policy is . Policy includes class observation protocol “optional” . Model policy “strongly recommended” . HT written report to GB annually HT’s Performance Management 2006 . PM Committee of 2-3 governors . GB sets objectives having consulted with SIP . HT can request GB to change reviewer HT’s Performance Management 2006 From 1 Sept.
    [Show full text]
  • Thornleigh Salesian College “ GOD HAS CREATED ME to DO HIM SOME DEFINITIVE SERVICE
    The North West Dioceses Catholic Leadership Programme Tuesday 16th May 2017 Thornleigh Salesian College “ GOD HAS CREATED ME TO DO HIM SOME DEFINITIVE SERVICE. HE HAS COMMITTED SOME WORK TO ME WHICH HE HAS NOT COMMITTED TO ANOTHER. I HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN THIS GREAT WORK; I HAVE MY MISSION. I AM A LINK IN A CHAIN, A BOND OF CONNECTION BETWEEN PERSONS. HE HAS NOT CREATED ME FOR NAUGHT. I SHALL DO GOOD, I SHALL DO HIS WORK.” THE LEADER’S MORNING OFFERING Dear Lord So far today I have done well. I have not gossiped, nor have I lost my temper , been irritated by or been irritable with my colleagues. I have not said anything insensitive or thoughtless. I have been neither selfish nor overindulgent. THE LEADER’S MORNING OFFERING Dear Lord So far today I have done well. I have not gossiped, nor have I lost my temper , been irritated by or been irritable with my colleagues. I have not said anything insensitive or thoughtless. I have been neither selfish nor overindulgent. ….But Lord, help me to realise… THE LEADER’S MORNING OFFERING Dear Lord So far today I have done well. I have not gossiped, nor have I lost my temper , been irritated by or been irritable with my colleagues. I have not said anything insensitive or thoughtless. I have been neither selfish nor overindulgent. ….But Lord, help me to realise… ….that in a few moments….. THE LEADER’S MORNING OFFERING Dear Lord So far today I have done well. I have not gossiped, nor have I lost my temper , been irritated by or been irritable with my colleagues.
    [Show full text]
  • Promoting Good Campus Relations: Dealing with Hate Crimes and Intolerance' Issues Affecting Freedom of Expression
    'Promoting good campus relations: dealing with hate crimes and intolerance' Issues affecting Freedom of Expression A presentation by Abdurahman Jafar, Vice Chair, MCB Legal Affairs Committee to the Parliamentary University Group, 15th March 2006 – a response to the Ebdon Report Islamophobia the fastest growing source of hate crime, since 7/7 hate crime increased fourfold, latest CPS statistics show that over 50% of religiously motivated crimes have been directed at Muslims, significant when you consider that Muslims make up about 3% of the population. The growth in Islamophobic hate crimes is proportionate to the growth of Muslims as being perceived to be associated with terrorism. Education Secretary Ruth Kelly told a conference of University UK on 15 September 2005, that vice-chancellors and principals had a duty to inform the police where they believed that students or staff were breaking the law or committing “possible criminal acts” and that freedom of speech and thought on campus did not extend to tolerance of unacceptable behaviour[1]. The same day, a right-wing think tank, the Social Affairs Unit, released a report warning that some British universities “may have become, and may still be, safe havens for terrorist ideas and recruits.”[2] The authors, Anthony Glees and Chris Pope, claimed that a thread linking many of the British terrorists “about whom we know something” was that they had spent time at a British university. The Mail on Sunday has just been exposed as having promised cash to students to pose as Muslims and report back from Muslim student societies. The NUS president Kat Fletcher condemned the move saying "That the journalist has been forced to resort to this type of low tactic, clearly illustrates that the hysteria surrounding extremism on campus has little basis in reality and no concrete evidence to back it up." She added: "This kind of sensationalist journalism contributes nothing to the serious debate about combating terrorism.
    [Show full text]
  • Original File Was 2Ndsubmission.Tex
    THE FURTHER RISE OF THE CAREER POLITICIAN Soeren J. Henn† Abstract Political careers have changed dramatically in the last fifty years. Still, political science research has yet to fully quantify this development. Building on existing literature on career politicians, this study uses a handful of indicators introduced by King (1981), a new variable (pre-parliamentary occupations), and an original data set compiled by the author. The paper’s contribution to the literature is threefold. Firstly, using the variables introduced by King, I observe that a plateau in the number of career politicians has been reached. Secondly, when looking at the occupational background of politicians, the data show a further rise in career politicians. Thirdly, this development is especially prevalent among cabinet ministers. Keywords: British Politics, Political Careers, Political Recruitment † Harvard University, henn@g.harvard.edu. I am very grateful to Anthony King for excellent advice and support. I also thank Pippa Norris, Jonathan Homola, Priya Shanmugam and participants of the European Political Science Association conference for helpful comments and suggestions. 1 Introduction Political careers have changed dramatically in the last fifty years. Political science has tried to keep up with this development by looking at the professionalization of politics (Squire, 1992, 1993, 2007), the convergence of political careers across countries (Best and Cotta, 2000), the representation of women and minorities (Lovenduski and Norris, 1994; Norris, 1997; Dunrose et al, 2013; Allen and Cutts, 2016; Homola, Forthcoming), and pre-parliamentary professions (Allen, 2012; Cairney, 2012; Goplerud, 2015; Cairney et al, 2016). Recent work on party leaders (Cowley, 2012; Barber, 2014) shows a changing landscape at the top of politics.
    [Show full text]
  • The Failure of Government Management
    www.taxpayersalliance.com Structure of Government No. 2 The Failure of Government Management The performance of any organisation should be judged on the quality of its output. Judged on this basis the management of public services by politicians and civil servants has been extremely poor. Although the UK is the fifth richest country in the world: Standardised tests conducted by the OECD show that, since 2000, British 15-year-olds have fallen from 8 th to 24 th place in maths; from 7 th to 17 th in reading; and in science – an area in which the UK as a whole excels – from 4 th to 14 th ;1 The standard of care provided by the National Health Service is now ranked 16 in a comparison of 19 peer countries;2 Crime levels in England and Wales are the third highest of 39 peer countries;3 Even worse is the fact that the poor and disadvantaged get the worst education and the worst healthcare and suffer the highest rates of crime. This paper, the second in our ‘Structure of Government’ series, examines why the management of UK government is failing. To get a better understanding of the role of the leader of a large organisation, we asked the chief executives of the FTSE 100 companies what experience they would expect of their successors and the minimum time they would want them to stay in office. (See Appendix D for a copy of the letter we sent to each Chief Executive.) 32 CEOs responded, of which 13 provided full answers. Their companies have a combined turnover of £370 billion and staff of 1.8 million.
    [Show full text]