Can We Learn Real Lessons from the Rover Debacle?
Friday, August 14th, 2009The Rover Enquiry is rapidly becoming the political soap opera of later summer. Perhaps, when the final report is produced, we will have a proper debate about manufacturing rather than the current knock about stuff. Meanwhile, it is worth reflecting on how things stood in 2000 if we are to truly learn anything that will [...]
Towards a New Golden Age of Rail?
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009You know that something interesting is happening when Michael O’Leary gets really upset about something (http://tiny.cc/4mtkj)
At education Andrew Adonis was a dangerous man with an elitist vision, thoroughly stubborn, an ability to completely side-step any meaningful exchange with the outside world and — somehow — the absolute confidence of Number 10 through the Blair years. [...]
Looking for the Model Citizen?
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009I confess to being wrong about David Blunkett’s citizen tests. Initially I thought this was a really backward step. But then I met new arrivals in the UK who were not only happy to take these on board, but who were really proud of achieving something when they received their ‘citizen’ certificate.
Often these citizen ceremonies [...]
