UK: Politics Wednesday, March 4, 1998

Tony Blair: councils must modernise

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is warning councillors and local government officials that if they fail to modernise, some of their powers could be given to businesses and voluntary organisations. Mr Blair says too many local authorities are mediocre, and there is a lack of coherence in some local services.   Tony Blair outlines his "deal" with local councils (38"  This message applies equally to council's who pay little heed to Agenda 21 objectives.

He says those councils which are prepared to change could be given improved powers, but those who were not could see their role diminished. Mr Blair took the unusual step of outlining his ideas in a pamphlet for the centre-left think tank the Institute of Public Policy Research.  He puts forward the idea of directly elected mayors and referendums on important local issues. There would also be a tough new code of conduct for councillors.  Local authority leaders, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, give their reaction to the proposals (4'23")

Mr Blair warned: "If you accept this challenge, you will not find us wanting. "You can look forward to an enhanced role and new powers. Your contribution will be recognised, your status enhanced.  "If you are unwilling or unable to work to the modern agenda then the Government will have to look to other partners to take on your role."

Criticism for Blair's plan

Directly-elected mayors and local referendums are ideas formerly rejected by chairman of the local government Association, Sir Jeremy Beecham. He said he was unhappy about the Prime Minister's indication that he was willing to involve business in local government.

"We do need a more open democracy at all levels in our country," he said.  "But we need people who are accountable to the electorate and business, for all its virtues, is not accountable to the public."  However, businesses operate to make a profit for their investors, not pursue hidden agendas.  The ratepayer is the investor in this case.  We are sure investors would not want their money wasted 

UK: Politics Sunday, February 8, 1998

Tony Blair: confident at Labour conference

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, appeared happy, making his first speech after his four-day stay with President Clinton.   Addressing the Labour faithful, he ran through a list of his achievements, playing the crowd alternately for laughs and applause.

But beneath the jokey, relaxed style, Mr Blair's message to the local government conference was clear - modernisation remains essential. He warned those who oppose reform of the health service and the benefits system that failure do do so would leave these services vulnerable to more drastic attack by future right-wing governments.

"The purpose of reform and change is not to obliterate basic value, it's to make them live again," he said.  "That's the choice - it's between reform and change or obliteration of the basic values in which we believe."  The speech emphasised the Prime Minister's promise to ensure corruption and malpractice are stamped out of local councils.

"We will publish proposals, based on Lord Nolan's report on conduct in local government, for a new framework on standards in local authorities.  Tony Blair: "One strike and you are out" (1'07")

Blair: stamp out corruption

"Every council will have to introduce its own code of conduct on a national model. Every council in its code will need to include provisions for the investigation of malpractice. The investigations will be independent. They will be swift, they will be searching and their findings will be put into place.

"I know corruption is not widespread, we all know that.  That's precisely why one case is one too many. For us in the Labour Party, it's one strike and your'e out and that's how it should be."  his gained long applause but the clapping was loudest in Scarborough when Mr Blair promised to "end the absurd situation where you've got hereditary peers sitting in the House of Lords."

But the Prime Minister became more evangelical as he wound up his speech and made his case for continued reform, not just of the Labour party and councils but of the whole country.  He paid tribute to the modernisation process begun by Neil Kinnock and continued by John Smith's introduction of one member, one vote.

"We changed the Labour party but we have to change the country," he said. "It's a far bigger thing to do and its also far more important but I know it is within our capacity to be great again. "This is a country where in the minds of each of those young people going through school today there is an enormous potential to innovate and do good and be decent responsible members of society.

"Our task is take the enormous potential of people and liberate it and we can do it.  "I am in the Labour party because in the end I believe there is such a thing as society and we have an obligation to other people as well as ourselves. I want to make that basic principle live again today."

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