What is the first duty of government in a liberal democracy?
A governments first duty is the protection of its citizens.
Plain and simple. It doesn't need much explanation does it? Well actually it appears that it may do. Some people do not seem to understand that the current governments policies will put citizens at risk. Right across the country service providers have had their budgets slashed and are now struggling to balance the needs of their service users with the ability to provide for them.
Lord Young of Graffham, a Cameron appointed advisor to the government, has apologised for his statement that we've never had it so good but clearly the belief is there in government circles that with low interest rates we are all winners. Mortgages may be very cheap but people who have them still rely on public services that may very well be disappearing for good. And what of those who live in social housing, their rents are no cheaper, and will probably rise as councils and housing associations struggle to cover costs.
The policy being driven forward is very much in keeping with conservative dogma - low taxation, small government and the promotion of private interests. The Big Society was in place before the general election, its promotion under this government is simply a method of winding back the state.
Whether you agree with the above or not, what is inescapable is the fact that councils are having to withdraw services that are preventative in nature. They act to stop individuals life situations worsening to the point where they become a drain on the services that deal with crises, the NHS, the police, the courts for example. This policy will inevitably put pressure on these organisations and if they were fully funded there would be little problem. But they aren't being fully funded, they are struggling too.
Vulnerable people will end up in court as a result of preventative services not being in place, the court will have little option but to incarcerate and prisons will be overflowing. The case of the schizophrenic man in Luton who killed a police officer highlights the issue. It has been shown that had he been offered proper preventative care the tragic death may not have occurred. And there are many similar incidents. This will only get worse as public sector cuts start to bite.
To maintain these services is expensive. No question. The question really is do we want to maintain them? The third sector does not have the systems, the personnel, the knowledge to pick up what the public sector drops and nor does it have the funding to do so. The private sector will only pick up what pays If we do want to maintain what we currently have how do we pay for it?
Time to introduce a dirty word, taxation. How much would a few pennies in the pound raise for the chancellor? What could that save? What revenue would be created by increasing the tax burden on high earners? The standard answer or threat to the possibility of raising taxation is that bankers/multinationals etc will leave the country. If the political will existed agreements could be reached between governments to penalise those who do so. Individuals who leave...who cares? There is a population of around 60 million people here, many of whom could 'rise' to fill the vacancies.
Government must be held accountable and responsible for the decisions it has taken. It is putting lives at risk.
Ben R
