A Political Agenda – Part Three

This final essay of a trilogy entitled ‘A Political Agenda’ addresses further areas of a nation’s agenda for furthering the lives of its citizens in all areas. The remaining sections should not be viewed as any less important just because they appear in the third part of these essays. The whole sit together in what is intended to be a coherent and joined-up collection focusing on the entire breadth of a government’s programme. If there are areas missing, it is not intentional.

Housing

Shelter is a basic need – surely no-one would disagree with that. This translates into it being a responsibility of government to ensure that the built infrastructure and the organisation and processes which enhance it, caters for every citizen’s needs without exception. It has already been touched on in previous essays that the acceptance of homelessness status for any citizen indicates that government and society has failed its own people. The concept that local government in each district, county and region has a statutory duty to find independent housing for each homeless citizen, and to ensure that there are no homeless people in their area is an imperative. Alongside this it is crucial that people who want to own their own home, through their own efforts, are not excluded from the market by cavalier pricing and market activity which contributes towards cavalier pricing of housing. The discouragement of naked profiteering firs entirely with the notion of stakeholder-ism, active citizenship and community. Specific steps in policy must be developed within a coherent framework to ensure naked profiteering is minimised. Multiple homes are not a necessity to provide shelter for people, and undermine a market imperative to provide quality housing at an affordable cost to citizens. Investment in industry and enterprise, alongside infrastructure and community, is far more important than investment in property, and the market needs to reflect this fully in the way it is structured and steered.

For those people who either cannot afford to buy their own home, or for people who just wish to rent, then again it is necessary for the housing rental market to be tilted to ensure citizens have access to appropriate housing at an affordable cost. Local government investment in housing for rental alongside the private sector, should be fully integrated to enable this to occur, but in a manner which de-stigmatises this type of accommodation, and builds real communities in good quality rentable housing – in other words, not ‘on the cheap’.

It is also appropriate that government policy towards the private rental sector must regulate effectively to protect good tenants as well as maintain standards of rental property, but also be focused on incentivising landlords for rental for accommodation over and above rental for holidays.

House building regulations need to be modified to ensure at all times, ‘blinkers-off’ development, with as much emphasis as possible on energy and thermal efficiency and self-sufficiency in heating and electricity. Costs are obviously a factor here, but should not be used as an excuse to omit systems which support these goals. For example, there is every reason to ensure that every new build has PV panels on the roof, and is built to optimise their functioning.

Law and Order

The complete acceptance that a civilised nation exists on the foundation of the rule of law, without fear or favour, is an imperative. The system must obviously cater for the repeal of unjust laws on the statute book, and it is inherent in each representative’s responsibilities in government to ensure that such laws are recognised and removed from the book, just as it is inherent in every citizen’s responsibilities to identify and highlight such occurrences.

The Police must be supported in this commitment individually and collectively, without exception, to uphold the law, again without fear or favour, but it must be recognised that the police themselves are just human beings and can be susceptible to exactly the same failings as everybody else. It is vital that they are fully trained, fully aligned with their duties, and led in a manner which makes it clear that any failings must be viewed as unacceptable in their exercising of their duty. This is tough – asking people who are just people, to be faultless, but for trust in the police to be at a high level throughout the citizenship, this is an imperative. The structure of police forces must also reflect the diversity of society in full.

Funding and resourcing must reflect the basis of community as an embedded concept and not detract from the whole idea of a society rooted in ‘community’. This probably requires, in some areas, a mindset change.

The Justice System

Any true system of justice in a civilised nation must be, as much as possible, independent from the executive and legislature. This translates into the notion that the appointment of judges at all levels must be the responsibility of the office of the non-Executive President (in this model, the nation is headed by an elected President), and that the administration of the Judicial System must be fully independent. Research is needed here to identify best practices, but certainly in a system which is truly democratic and based on genuine individual liberty across the board, having a justice system which is not truly independent is a danger, as has been demonstrated in various countries through recent history.

Funding for access to the legal system must be available for justice to be done in all areas, and the legal system itself must be overhauled and simplified to disable naked profiteering in the exercising of justice. Justice needs to be accessible in all ways to every citizen. Is there an argument for a National Legal Service (NLS) in the same manner as the NHS or the proposed National Care Service (NCS)?

Foreign Affairs

A full commitment to current alliances is vital to ensure stability in both the continent and beyond, with strong transatlantic connections, and enhancements of existing connections within Europe. The need for permanent vigilance to some degree (depending on prevailing conditions) is very important, whilst building international links to new partners and forming new alliances, in tandem with existing ties. An internationalist outlook is extremely beneficial and expansive in thinking and strategy for the benefit of national security and projection, as well as creating a community of nations across the world. Narrow self-interest as personified by ‘little Englander-ism’ or ‘Britain goes it alone’ is not in the national interest nor in the interests of its citizens. An ethical foreign policy is very important ensuring that ‘realpolitik’ doesn’t unbalance this approach. Even-handedness with partners is vital to ensure ongoing trust and mutual understanding, and a policy led not by Anglo-Saxon-ism, or ‘white-ism’ is also desirable.

The Military

Again, military commitments to current alliances are vital to ensure stability and strength in dealing with crises. Spending on the military, whilst ensuring great efficiency in procurement, should stand at no less than 2% of GDP. The question of the nuclear deterrent is one of great controversy in many circles, and the view of this writer is that it overplays Britain’s significance in the world, and is a throwback to some extent, to yesteryear (which Britain is very good at doing – harking on about the past). It is felt here that investments made would be better spent elsewhere, recognising Britain has a different role to play in today’s world. Another area for comment here is the perception that not always in the past has the MOD looked after its veterans, in particular those with issues such as PTSD, as well as it might. It is vital that focus is kept on veterans’ well-being long term, especially those who have been in conflict zones. The whole structure of the MOD should be reviewed and appropriate changes made to reflect the needs of modern defence forces, balanced with the need for best practices from other areas of administrative government.

Commercial Outlets

There has been a strong move over several years to switch commercial focus (in terms of personal shopping) from city centres to out-of-town malls, which began in Britain in the 1980s with a more Americanised approach to this among other things. This has led to a sanitised culture of shopping in the fairly sterile environment of the ‘cathedral to commercialism’. Having travelled around many countries, especially in Europe, this culture is dangerously homogenous, with virtually every one os these ‘cathedrals’ sporting near identical shops – middle-of-the-road, blandness in many ways; ‘cathedrals’ with little atmosphere or diversity, a bastion of commercialism over culture. This is, to some degree, to the detriment of the citizen, although from a convenience point of view, it is somewhat beneficial, but lacks character, charm, cultural and community experience. Comparing it to a buzzing city high street, especially in areas where there is cultural diversity, shows it up to be a sterile environment for taking money from tranquillised shoppers. The high street, in all its glory, needs invigorating to ensure that citizens can experience diverse culture, products and outlets within a few hundred metres of each other, and grow as broad citizens by immersing themselves in the beauty of the high street, in particular those of great diversity. The mall has a part to play but it must not be the death of the diverse high street, and in fact should play a role as a partner to the high street, not its executioner. Policy needs to reflect this. It is possible to transform any mall into a much more heterogeneous locality but it requires leadership and insight into the benefits of this kind of cultural jigsaw.

Tourism and Hospitality

The idea that a country requires undemocratic (or anti-democratic) structures in order to attract tourists is, of course, nonsense. A nation presents itself as a destination where tourists can find all sorts of exciting and interesting things to do and explore fascinating geographic features and historical experiences which bring them back for future visits and encourage others to come too.

Tourism and Hospitality play an important role in developing the nation’s identity in the mind of visitors and need to be encouraged as appropriate to continue to do so, in an enterprising and thriving market.

Arts, Media and Entertainment

Funding from lottery and sponsorship seems to provide a good level of support for the arts in particular, with performing arts also heavily reliant on entrance and booking fees. However a large proportion of arts and cultural funding comes from local government, and when local government finances are deliberately squeezed, it is often this area where savings are first made, because they are viewed as non-essential services. Local government funding must take fully into account the great benefits of arts and culture to a community and to a local economy, and the point made in an earlier essay about local government funding holds true here too.

The BBC license fee appears to be the most appropriate way to fund a public service broadcaster. Alternatives lead to commercialisation and a diluting of quality and public service, and create an organisation that is somewhat answerable to its sponsors. This is not public service broadcasting. Some degree of public ownership of media outlets is valuable and can be justified as long as there is no government interference of any kind, and it makes it appear possible that once again, some degree of social ownership is appropriate in influencing how the BBC is run and how it operates. It is not, in my view, in the interests of public broadcasting to go to a subscriber model or a commercial advertising model. Questions about the funding of the BBC appear to be largely ideologically driven, and are not in the best interests of the viewer or the citizen.

There are aspects of the media’s relationship with government which need to be addressed, as well as issues of media ownership. Levison made it clear that there was significant room for change in the media’s activities governed by statute. Although it is imperative to have a free press, it is also vital to address what the definition of ‘free’ is in this context. A free press does not mean a free-for-all press, some of which Levison was trying to address, nor does it mean the ownership of news outlets being concentrated in too few hands, not does it mean editorial control by an extremely limited number of people. Addressing these issues will perhaps bring a new definition to the word ‘free’ in the term free press. A panel free from prejudice on making these investigations would be welcome.

Government ministers, and other political figures, must be seen to be held to account in a way which is accessible to all and not be able to wriggle out of regular independent scrutiny. With this in mind media organisations, both print and broadcast, should be able to apply to an independent public body to have allocated to them political interviewing time where they can select a politician (with sufficient notice) who would be under obligation to appear on an interview, live or recorded, as requested by the broadcaster, or give themselves up to interview by the print press for publication in a newspaper. This could be organised in a way which gave regular access on behalf of citizens to political figures on TV or in print, independently scrutinised, out of which they were not able to wriggle. In return media organisations would have to ensure they represented a genuinely free press/media by whichever definition an independent Leveson-like panel decided represented the word free.

Sport

A vibrant, competitive and pleasure-based sporting environment generates all sorts of benefits for citizens and nation, in terms of promoting good health and well-being, active participation, community, leisure activity, personal development and local, regional and national projection. Funding at all levels should build an integrated and coherent infrastructure leading to the capability for people to find their level, and participate and compete as matches their ability. The infrastructure must also include training and development of coaches of excellence at levels appropriate to their capability, producing a cycle of sporting and coaching ability.

Structure of Great Britain

Instead of a devolved system of government with power to some degree, being allowed to leak to the home nations at the behest of Westminster, a truly federal structure would give the whole country a feeling of a partnership of equals and remove the hegemony of Westminster over Scotland and Wales. This would balance power and allow nations within the union to at any time, address their own futures without the deep anchor of Westminster preventing democratic decisions being made.

Northern Ireland, from a standpoint of natural justice, is an anomaly and in the view of this writer, benefits for all would be had by transferring sovereignty to the Republic whilst maintaining the North’s unique status as a semi-autonomous region in a federal Ireland. It can be imagined that virtually everything would remain the same in the governance of the North except that sovereignty would transfer to Dublin, and most likely the currency could change from pounds sterling to euros. What else need change in the operations of the North within a federal State of Ireland? As appropriate, integration may continue at a relaxed pace if it were deemed to be the right thing to do. This would end an historical injustice and make the island of Ireland one country again, and free from hegemony. Individuals within the North wanted to resettle in Great Britain should be assisted financially by both British and Irish governments to do so.

Within the home nations of Great Britain, there may also be the case for regional authorities of some kind, largely focused on (within mission strategy development at a national level) identifying areas of missions to embed within the region, and driving the activation locally. This would need some consideration. Another tier of administration may be one too many. Experiences of other nations should be examined carefully.

The European Union

Britain’s relationship with the EU has been somewhat stormy over the years, culminating in the withdrawal in 2016. The EU is far from perfect, requiring reform in many areas, such as CAP, its adherence to apparently neo-liberal economics and policy and its democratic credentials, which are in need of some adjustments. However it represents a view of the continent that enhances security, economic stability, friendship, alliance, community and internationalism. With pressure to reform, it is a place to make a wider home than Britain can alone. It is the view of the author that Britain should seek the best re-entry terms it can, but put constant pressure on, within, to embrace necessary reform.

Registration of Land and Property

The ownership of land and property is murky area in Britain. It is important to ensure that this is clarified. All property and land ownership should be registered by law so that it is transparent and clear. The Land Registry should contain a full and complete record of all land and property ownership, and transfers through sales/purchases and gifting in wills or through other means should be required to be registered immediately by law. This would require legal representatives involved in land and property transfer via any means, to complete a full disclosure to the Land Registry in every case. Unregistered land and property would be required to be registered immediately, so that there are no holes in the Land Registry database. Ease of access to the records should also be ensured to allow anyone to see who owned what.

Definitions

It is necessary to define some terms used in these essays to ensure clarity of understanding. The definition, for example, of ‘Joined-up Thinking’ requires the reader to zoom out and see the big picture, the whole structure of government and nation in one view, and recognise that everything is interlinked and that therefore each individual area of strategy, tactics, activation and implementation needs to be addressed in association with every other, creating coherent systems, processes and infrastructure which all fit together in a truly thought-out connective manner. This is joined-up thinking. For example, a common service for administering government at all levels – a single civil service across all government, local, regional and national.

The definition of ‘Blinkers-Off Thinking’ is one which promotes at all times a thought-process developing new ideas for industry or transport, for example, that takes fully into account the impact on all other areas of importance within the society in question – and in fact, beyond that is equally important – the overall impact on the planet, as a whole. The impact will not stop at the geographic boundary of the nation. The impact assessment will not be “We’re going to do this. Here’s the impact. Never mind”, but rather answering the question “Is the impact manageable by those who own the Mission strategies in affected areas?” and also “Is the impact on areas not supported by Mission strategies, too great?”.

Conclusion

The ideas outlined above are the third part of three which, in combination, express thoughts pulled together after reading, research and information gathering, as well as learnings from life experiences and critiquing government direction, process, infrastructure and policy over a number of years. They are obviously not fully expanded as directly implementable plans, but instead are intended to create a skeletal framework upon which detail can be hung. The idea has been, and will be extended in parts one and two, to develop a coherent (ie joined-up) set of components which form a broad agenda based on a ‘blinkers-off’ analysis of the nation’s requirements in the 21^st century, and beyond.

It represents, obviously, only one set of ideas and opinions and hopefully will stimulate debate and, equally importantly, actions to generate positive forward momentum. The first and second parts of this essay will cover, in the same manner, more areas of a nation’s overall agenda.