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The City That Doesn't Build
Despite the clear need for more houses in London, the capital is building at less than a quarter of the per capita rate of the rest of England, according to new CPS analysis. In the 2024-25 financial year, only 4,170 homes were started in London.
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A Conservative Agenda: Proposals for a fifth term
The nations of the European Union are some of the richest in the world. They are also the most highly taxed, the most highly regulated and the most indebted. During the next century, governments must contain ever-expanding welfare demands – which could only be financed by a declining population of taxpayers – so that industry can maintain its competitiveness.
Conservative Britain in the 21st Century
There is a temptation to believe that with the passing of a Labour Party publically and unequivocally committed to socialism, to anti-nuclear policies and to proposals for the wholesale nationalisation of the main elements of the British economy, that this election is somehow less important to the future of Britain than the four that have preceded it.
The Performance of Privatisation Vol. II: Privatisation and its Effect on the Exchequer
In the accompanying report, National Economic Research Associates (NERA) has presented the findings of the first independent analysis of the effect of privatisation on the exchequer. The performance of 33 companies has been analysed.
The Performance of Privatisation Vol. I: The Question of Safety
In its analysis of employee safety, NERA concludes that the post-privatisation record has been impressive.
Blair’s Gurus: An examination of Labour’s rhetoric
David Willetts MP investigates the rhetoric of New Labour and finds that, while it may be conventional, it is certainly not wise.
The Mystery of Japanese Growth
Japan is different, say some scholars. While it practices capitalism, it is a kind quite unlike the free-market capitalism prevalent in the West. Japan’s success stems instead from its unique brand of interceptive capitalism – what Chalmers Johnson has labelled the “capitalist development state”.
Social work or Crime Prevention? A better future for probation
In the last decade the Probation Service has had a rough ride. It has been changing fast and is now being called upon to change even faster, and to cast itself off from its current base of training and values derived from the social work.
Public Spending: A twenty-year plan for reform
Public spending must be reduced if the economy is to prosper; and the economy must prosper greatly so that taxes can also be cut.
Local Limits: Cutting the costs of good councils
Local government today appears no longer to be the great political and ideological battlefield it was in the 1980s. To those who run it – elected members and officials 0 to political commentators, and even to ministers, discussion is couched in terms of ‘consolidation; on the basis of where we now are and of the managerial direction for the future.
Liberate the Tube! Radical proposals to revitalise the London Underground
London now faces a transport problem more intense than any city in Britain, and possibly harder to solve than in any city in the world.
Less than meets the eye: The modest impact of CAP reform
Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in 1992 represented a significant change in the structure of European Agricultural support. Contrary to common opinion, however the level of support has not changed and the protectionist system of variable levies has not been abolished.
How to be British
I have called this talk ‘ How to be British’. I have done so, perhaps, with a slightly satirical intent, for the conservative mind is rightly suspicious of books and pamphlets whose titles begin with the phrase ‘How to…’,
Charging for Roads: A better way to ease congestion
Early next year the Department of transport will begin field trials of electronic equipment with a view to charging tolls on Britain’s motorways. If the equipment works, the plan is to apply the system nationwide by the end of the country.
Vanishing Words: Spoken English, the GCSE and the National Curriculum
Should Spoken English contribute to candidates overall marks in public examinations 0 as it will in GCSE English from this summer? There are good reasons to think not.
Out of sight out of mind: the dangerous neglect of Britain’s ‘invisibles’
Britain’s invisible earnings are so condemned to obscurity by the very name they go by. Yet they are the hidden crown jewels of the economy.
The Goldsmith Fallacy: Why open trade and the Gatt are best
Sir James goldsmith proposes to severely restrict or eliminate international trade and to do away with the GATT.
