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Opinion and Editorial from the Policy Exchange team.
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Recent Blogs
Why Virgin and First Group should both be allowed to run trains on the West Coast Mainline
Simon Less, Senior Consultant to Policy Exchange on Regulatory Policy, points out that a monopoly franchise like the West Coast Mainline does not have to granted to one train operator. He argues that companies should be allowed to operate trains in direct ‘on-rail’ competition for passengers on the same route – on the basis of their prices and services.
The Conservatives can be the new workers’ party
Policy Exchange Director Neil O’Brien argues that the Prime Minister must ignore calls from some of his backbenchers to lurch to the right and instead focus on building a narrative that focuses on Blue Collar modernisation. He says that the Tories must start appealing to low income earners and ethnic minority voters.
A third runway? Yes, and a fourth too, please
Tim Leunig, Chief Economist at Centre Forum and author of Policy Exchange’s recent report Bigger and Quieter, sets out the case for building four new runways to the west of Heathrow, doubling the airport’s current aviation capacity. He also lays out ways in which the airport layout can be changed to make the experience far more convenient.
The challenge for the Tories is to find their own version of Blairism
Policy Exchange Director Neil O’Brien argues that the challenge facing the Tories is to find their own version of Blairism. Neil suggests that the Conservatives need to do more to win over voters in the North and in the Midlands, and argues that the Tories need to show they are not just a party for the rich.
The gay rights debate should avoid political point scoring
David Skelton, Deputy Director of Policy Exchange, argues that politicians should stop point scoring over gay rights issues. David suggests that it is crucial for political parties to press ahead with equal rights for gay people.
Growth and locally-facing public sector pay
Ed Holmes, Senior Research Fellow for Economics & Welfare at Policy Exchange, argues that setting public sector salaries locally could mean thousands of private sector jobs could be created in areas where employment is high, as set out in recent Policy Exchange report, Local Pay, Local Growth.
Scottish Labour tries to start an honest conversation about public spending
Policy Exchange Director Neil O’Brien argues in support of new Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont’s drive to address public spending in Scotland and end the ‘something for nothing culture’.
Chris Grayling should be tough on crime – and smart on tagging
Rory Geoghegan, Research Fellow for Crime & Justice at Policy Exchange, argues that the electronic monitoring of criminals is being undermined by the nature of the MOJ’s procurement contracts. Rory suggests that a localised system where multiple suppliers can offer local law enforcement agencies the technology they need could save the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds.
Tagging isn’t working – privatisation is no panacea
David Skelton, Deputy Director at Policy Exchange, argues that private monopolies will do little to drive up standards in public service delivery. He suggests that a competitive local market needs to be established in the area of electronic monitoring, especially with the electronic tagging of criminals as we explored in recent report Future of Corrections.
Government must think fast and big to make Britain a tech haven
Chris Yiu, Head of Digital Government at Policy Exchange, argues that the UK has the potential to become a world leader in the high-tech and digital economy, but the government must change existing visa regulations to allow UK digital start-ups to hire the most talented international graduates.
