The Queen’s Speech
This was one of the worst for years. I am strictly non partisan, I have not yet decided how to vote, but I am beginning to despair of New Labour. Their achievements are more limited than they would proclaim, but they are enduring. Peace in Northern Ireland, devolution for Scotland and Wales, restoring local government in London headed by the Mayor, broadening educational practice with Academies, Faith and Foundation schools, all this is imaginative and worthwhile.
The failure list is too long even to start. There is however a thread which is constricting the very breath out of the whole New Labour project. It is the assumption that every single facet of life can be dealt with by a new law and that these new laws can intrude into every nook and cranny of the nation’s business.
The latest batch are more of the same, the most ludicrous of which is the half baked notion that you can enshrine that every school will be required by law to give a decent standard of education. Is it not already the case that this is the aim of every school and a matter of certainty that some will be better than others? What on earth is putting the obvious on the statute book going to achieve other than more cash for lawyers ( paid by taxpayers in legal aid) and frightened teachers practicing defensive teaching in case some smart Alec decides to sue?
Then there is to be another law requiring the government to halve the preposterous public deficit in four years. Why does it not just get on and do it? It is utterly ludicrous to bring in laws binding the government which can cancel them at will. These people think we are all fools.
It is a wonder they did not announce a Bill making it law that night must follow day. Maybe next time.
Then maybe not.