Tag Archives: huhne commission

Opinion: Driving better performance across public services

25 years ago, when I was Leader of Kingston Council, Margaret Thatcher was planning to introduce Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) for services like bin collection and road sweeping. The Council Director responsible for these services started working out what measures he would take to improve efficiency and cut costs. But then the government announced a delay in CCT so he proposed shelving these plans. I said no.

I often recall this incident when the subject of competition in public services comes up. Liberals should never be afraid of competition where it is likely to lead to better public services. Nor …

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , and | 11 Comments
Advert



Recent Comments

  • Paul Barker
    To me the most interesting part of the Result is that Conservative membership is down 40,000 in the last 2 Years though still 40,000 more than The Libdems. We s...
  • Cassie
    @expats. Your 'old song' implies that farmers are all wealthy and can afford to buy expensive vehicles (so shun bicycles). My point was that expensive kit etc ...
  • Roland
    “ Ed Davey warns inheritance tax change could create ‘lost generation’ of farmers” It could do the opposite! There are two reasons why family busine...
  • Peter Martin
    @ Chris Moore, The "political middle ground" does imply a position of broad acceptance of the status quo, albeit with the possibility of some minor reforms, ...
  • expats
    Cassie, I live in a rural area in the Suffolk/Norfolk border and i stand by my comment.. As for expensive 'plant' most of my local farmers hire it on an 'as ...