WE NEED A SHAKE-UP: THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
September 17, 2009 10:32 AM
In North Devon Journal
In North Devon Journal
Next week sees the start of the party conference season - which this year have more significance because an election is due by next spring.
Britain faces difficult challenges and will do for many years: young people out of work, broken politics, climate change spinning out of control, poor housing, civil liberties under threat.
So the election is the most important for a very long time. We desperately need to restore hope that we can make Britain better. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to do that. The country is crying out for a fresh start.
But a fresh start means telling it straight, and doing things differently. The current Government won't take big decisions until the election, and seems fatalistic about its chances. They are simply rolling over and abandoning progressive politics risking allowing the Conservatives in by default.
The debates of the last week or so about public spending raise big issues: our future engagement in Afghanistan; the response to climate change; the continuing economic troubles; and radical political reform.
New answers are needed on fairer taxation - including crucially at local council level. We must change the tax systems to help those on middle and low incomes - paid for from green taxes and closing the loopholes for the very rich.
The priority is to create a sustainable economy: Putting people to work through green economic growth; breaking up banks so their risks never again jeopardise the whole economy.
Secondly we must build a fair society- extra help for children struggling at school, cutting student debt, training and jobs for young people. We must build a country fit for future generations.
We must clean up Politics by reforming not only MPs' expenses but the political and voting systems too:
a total shake-up at Westminster and in Whitehall.
The next three weeks give all parties the chance to put their ideas to bring fresh hope for the future.
In my view three qualities are needed if we're to make a fresh start. We must be ambitious: in the wake of the recession, the world has changed significantly. Many old assumptions no longer apply. We must address the deficit - and find solutions: like axing plans for ID cards and cutting down on Trident replacement.
Secondly, we also need a Government which is independent: not in the pocket of special interests - and knows what it stands for.
Thirdly, our Government needs to "think outside the box" and find new ways of going things. This includes allowing people to decide more for themselves, and at a local community level. Other democratic countries are freer and more open - it is time to follow their lead.
What would you like to do next?
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