PM refocuses on domestic woes
Prime Minister Tony Blair is stepping up a campaign to refocus debate on domestic issues, after his summer discontent over Iraq and the Hutton inquiry.
Issues such as top-up fees, foundation hospitals, the private finance initiative, and the safety of public transport under private control continue to hit Labour’s popularity.
The PM will today join Education Secretary Charles Clarke at a city academy in the South East of England to defend some of his more controversial policies in schools and hospitals.
He will also discuss with Cabinet colleagues the policy strategy ahead of the Labour Party conference, which starts on 28 September.
Despite some 25 MPs warning him of a “battle royal” on university top-up fees, Mr Blair is unlikely to be swayed by calls for a back down and will instead underline the importance of public service reform in general.
Norwich North MP Ian Gibson said: “The government will have a battle royal on their hands if they do not listen.
“We want Tony Blair to listen, we want him to see that it is a stupid policy. This is not just what MPs think but what the wider public thinks.”
Mr Blair said at PMQs yesterday that the “vast majority” of MPs backed the Government’s policy on university education.
The PM is expected to reiterate today that the Government was fixed on its “forward agenda” and would not be dragged off course by disgruntled MPs.
Mr Blair said yesterday at a private meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party: “When the difficulties are out of the way, people will see we have a basic progressive project; reform, strengthening the economy, opportunity. That is what will determine whether we succeed or fail. The issues that will determine re-election are the issues we are campaigning on: the NHS, schools, anti-social behaviour.
“We need to show two things: one, that we have made progress; two, that we have got a forward agenda.”
Mr Blair has said previously that a “tremendous prize” awaits Labour if his party could overcome its present difficulties.
He said Labour risked years of political oblivion if it splintered and self-imploded on Iraq, NHS foundation hospitals and student top-up fees.
In the Queen’s speech on 26 November, Mr Blair is expected to throw a carrot to disaffected MPs with a “real Labour” agenda for the Government’s forthcoming legislative programme.
Polices expected to appear include the child trust fund, said to be worth up to £500 for every newborn baby.
A ban on fox hunting in England and Wales will also be enforced by deploying the Parliament Act to bypass opposition in the House of Lords to the Hunting Bill.
Gay and lesbian couples will earn new rights in areas such as pensions, property, social security and benefits and transsexuals will be legally recognised.
The Queen’s Speech may also include a Bill to reform the fire service, following on from the Bain report on working practices.
