... caring thatcherism ?? ...

The theme of this year's Conservative Party Conference at Bournemouth can be summed up as 'Caring Thatcherism'. There is a lot of talk of improving public services and a lot of talk about freedom.

Freedom as defined by the Conservatives is a code for reducing funding, by appearing to give more flexibility. Under Mrs Thatcher local authorities (county and city government) were technically given more freedom to control their finances. However this was done within a framework of central government putting controls over what they could do and the imposition of standards, which the councils were obliged to try and meet.

Linked to this was the policy of 'improving public services' by forcing councils to do a 'value for money' evaluation of most services. This was a process of forcing the privatisation of services, such as street cleaning, and using the excuse that better value means councils need less money from central government.

As a result caretakers to public housing, parkeepers, street cleaners were 'downsized' gradually reducing the environment, which in turn makes people feel threatened. Other services such as libraries had their funding cut.

In education 'productivity' meant increasing class sizes, reducing funding for college libraries and learning resources and a pressure to get results, which in turn has led to a devaluing of qualifications.

Teh techniques of privatisation have resulted in the current rail service, reduction in bus services and such hassles as gas and electric ccompanieshassling and sometimes cheating people to change their suppliers - ie the same product, different bill sender.

'Caring Thatcherism' will result in the destruction of the health service, deterioration in the educational service and the needy will have the freedom to opt for and not get necessary services. All under the pretence of providing better services and freedom.