Who is in charge around here? A 2020 PST seminar on accountability - invitation only
The speakers will be:
Professor Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of Politics and Government at Brasenose College, Oxford University & 2020 Commissioner
Matthew Taylor, Chief Exec of the RSA &2020 Commissioner
Julian Astle MBE, Director of Centre Forum & 2020 Commissioner
The Chair:
Jeff Masters, Secretary to the Commission on 2020 Public Services
How should we think about accountability in a time of shifting public services? The old code of ministerial responsibility doesn’t fit modern life very well. Civil servants who deliver services remain largely anonymous, while ministers rise and fall according to their political fortunes rather than their contribution to public services. The system, coupled with a grinding 24 hour news schedule and rising voter expectations, has led to a risk averseness of epic proportions.
Where should the buck stop as we move towards greater localism? Although local accountability can create a real sense of local community and autonomy, there may be limits. Where should we draw the line between local freedoms and postcode lotteries, between local decisions and national responsibility?
As this seminar takes place on the eve of one of the most closely fought general elections in recent years, we’ll also look at political accountability in light of a possible hung parliament. In a country used to an adversarial and oppositional party system, how would a coalition party represent party interests and voter interests?
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