There is a system problem

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Labour After Brown

From Milibland to Johnson land?: Jeremy Gilbert argues for Labour without neo-liberalism.

Magical thinking on Britishness: Anthony Barnett critiques Liam Byrne on fraternity.

Rule of law at risk: Geoffrey Bindman calls for a turn away from the marketisation of government.

A new Bill of Rights for Britain?: Guy Aitchison analyses Parliament's proposed new Bill of Rights.

Miliband - by our rights we will know you: Claire O'Brien puts forward a new progressive vision for Labour.

Recapturing liberal Britain: David Marquand challenges Labour's constitutional orthodoxy.

Miliband and the Liberal Democrats: James Graham on the case for realignment.

What is Labour's British story?: Writing from Scotland, Gerry Hassan widens the OurKingdom debate on Labour's future.

This is not Brown's crisis but Britain's: David Marquand says social democracy is bust and Britain may be too.

The Challenges for Miliband's Progressive Fusion: Fabian Society head Sunder Katwala responds to David Miliband.

NOT A DAY LONGER

What do we do now?: Anthony Barnett assesses the stakes for for liberals and radicals in David Davis's campaign against the erosion of rights and liberties

The Abundance of Caution: an authoritative essay by Anthony Barnett sets out the case against 42 Days

England Awakes?

England, Britain and multiculturalism: an OurKingdom exchange

A mild awakening?, England's turn? by David Goodhart

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22 - 11 - 2007

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): Like Jon, I am not convinced that the disk debacle will lead to the government abandoning its ID schemes. But one good aspect of the disaster is that attention is now being focussed on the database state and the holding of information rather than the ID card itself. Two recent posts on the issues are by Unity in Liberal Conspiracy and also Dizzy whom Unity links to. The techies are getting cross at the superficial politicisation and blame game that is underway. Nonetheless, guys, there is a system problem. It is one the government, ie Gordon Brown and his advisors and fellow ministers, must be aware of but have not been able to confront let alone solve. This is the chronic inability of the Civil Service. Fiasco is its maiden name. Don't forget, it was a government laboratory that made and released the foot and mouth virus earlier this year because, despite the funding being available, it could keep its drains in order - while making toxic and contagious viruses!

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