Instruction to Deliver: Tony Blair, Public Services and the Challenge of Achieving TargetsIn Tony Blair's first term, 1997-2001, much was promised in reform of social services, but relatively little was achieved - except perhaps in Education, where Michael Barber was head of the Standards and Effectiveness Unit. For 2001-5, the commitment was to real change in domestic policy, and Sir Michael Barber was appointed head of the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit (PMDU), to concentrate on specific targets, initially 17, such as casualty waiting time, school tests, league tables, street crime, transport etc. Much was achieved, despite great tension, pressures, chaos and challenges, as a new working philosophy was created to combine otherwise 'warring parties' - the PM, the Chancellor, the Cabinet, the PM'S special team, and senior civil servants. Michael Barber reveals a fascinating insider and personal account of how the PMDU achieved so much, and provides a revealing picture of the major players, especially Tony Blair and Gordon Brown |
From inside the book
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Page 81
... political risk can therefore be both sharp and personal . There is also a wider political risk that , as a number of targets are missed , a cumulative impression of failure is established in the public mind . Cabinet ministers swayed ...
... political risk can therefore be both sharp and personal . There is also a wider political risk that , as a number of targets are missed , a cumulative impression of failure is established in the public mind . Cabinet ministers swayed ...
Page 128
... political insight in domestic policy is the recognition that the public services can improve the lot of the disadvantaged only if they also appeal to the middle classes . In Gordon Brown's speeches this is referred to as ' progressive ...
... political insight in domestic policy is the recognition that the public services can improve the lot of the disadvantaged only if they also appeal to the middle classes . In Gordon Brown's speeches this is referred to as ' progressive ...
Page 271
... political commentators , identified this as a defining characteristic of modern politics during the run - up to the 2005 election : The core idea of modern Conservatism as reinvented by Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan - that state ...
... political commentators , identified this as a defining characteristic of modern politics during the run - up to the 2005 election : The core idea of modern Conservatism as reinvented by Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan - that state ...
Common terms and phrases
achieved agenda Alan Milburn Andrew Adonis areas argued asked assessment became Cabinet ministers Cabinet Office Cabinet Secretary cent challenge civil servants civil service colleagues David Blunkett David Miliband debate deliver deliverology delivery chain delivery reports Delivery Unit Department for Education Department of Health departmental effective election ensure Estelle Morris example fact five-year strategies focus frontline funding Gordon Brown Gus Macdonald Gus O'Donnell Home Office huge impact implementation improved issues Jeremy Heywood judgements knew Labour leadership league table literacy and numeracy London major meeting months organisations parliament performance permanent secretaries PMDU political Prime Minister Prime Minister's problem programme progress PSA targets question radical relationships relevant responsible routine spending review stocktake street crime success teachers term Tony Blair trajectory Treasury Unit's waiting wanted week Whitehall YES YES YES
References to this book
The Six Secrets of Change: What the Best Leaders Do to Help Their ... Michael Fullan Limited preview - 2011 |