Blair’s ‘total politics’ under assault
Iain Duncan Smith at the official launch of the Tories’ party strategy today will pledge to rid Britain of New Labour’s brand “command state” politics.
In a 100-page document, the Conservatives will outline how they aim to end Blair’s love affair with “total politics.”
Ahead of the Tory party conference, Mr Duncan Smith will expand upon the document and say total politics signified a “disease” at the heart of the Blair administration.
And in the wake of the Hutton Inquiry, what has come to the fore is for New Labour, “politics is everywhere and everything,” IDS will say.
“The summer’s events have shown that the government’s basic instinct is not to govern, but to control.
“New Labour talks about front-line staff – but expects them to take their orders from Whitehall.”
The Tories will pledge to reduce government interference in public services and massively decentralise decision making to front-line staff.
Mr Duncan Smith will say: “When Conservatives talk about front-line staff, we want them to be free from orders from above, free from orders from politicians, and accountable directly to the people they serve: patients, parents, and the local community.”
In a foreword to the document, shadow deputy prime minister David Davis said: “Public services and local communities are being stifled by a command state that forces front-line professionals to deliver the sort of services bureaucrats, rather than ordinary people, want to see.”
The booklet is entitled “Total Politics: Labour’s Command State.”
