Comments on: Long term challenges… http://liambyrne.co.uk/economics/long-term-challenges/ Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:18:04 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Paul G Slatter http://liambyrne.co.uk/economics/long-term-challenges/comment-page-1/#comment-112 Paul G Slatter Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:02:11 +0000 http://liambyrne.co.uk/?p=1315#comment-112 Is it entirely globalisation that has left some towns and cities behind, or is it also partly UK economic policy (on the part of successive governments) which has favoured the City of London against the interests of manufacturing? Birmingham and the Black Country should be driving the UK's export led recovery out of this recession but we've precious little industry left to export with. And what about local government? The standard is very poor in some places. In particular, one of the things local government seems to have problems doing is linking effectively to the active citizens you - rightly - highlight as having a key part to play in future shape of public services. The culture - and particularly the way that councils deal with risk and representation - alienates genuine active citizens. That includes the people with the guts to stand up for change in run-down and often violent neighbourhoods. Is it entirely globalisation that has left some towns and cities behind, or is it also partly UK economic policy (on the part of successive governments) which has favoured the City of London against the interests of manufacturing? Birmingham and the Black Country should be driving the UK’s export led recovery out of this recession but we’ve precious little industry left to export with.

And what about local government? The standard is very poor in some places. In particular, one of the things local government seems to have problems doing is linking effectively to the active citizens you – rightly – highlight as having a key part to play in future shape of public services. The culture – and particularly the way that councils deal with risk and representation – alienates genuine active citizens. That includes the people with the guts to stand up for change in run-down and often violent neighbourhoods.

]]> By: james http://liambyrne.co.uk/economics/long-term-challenges/comment-page-1/#comment-111 james Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:14:14 +0000 http://liambyrne.co.uk/?p=1315#comment-111 First concern - that mutualisation is more appropriate for private sector, and as a solution for commercial enterprises (like banks!) rather than public services. Second concern - that the historic goal of the labour movement, to have political and economic democracy, is being lost in all this. First concern – that mutualisation is more appropriate for private sector, and as a solution for commercial enterprises (like banks!) rather than public services.

Second concern – that the historic goal of the labour movement, to have political and economic democracy, is being lost in all this.

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