Oliver Reichardt's blog

The coalition government and its Labour predecessor can agree on one thing – they want more civil society organisations delivering public services. Where they differ is on how that can be achieved.

 The father of Nick Hurd, the current Minister for Civil Society, is Douglas Hurd, Home Secretary in the late 1980s.  I thought I'd mix up parts of their speeches to see if you could work out which are by Douglas in the 1980s and which are by Nick over the past year.  Answers at the bottom.

1. "I believe that the inspiring and enlisting of the active citizen in all walks of life is the key."

Eric Pickles, in his recent speech at the NCVO annual conference, said that councils should not pass on disproportionate cuts to local and voluntary groups.  Indeed he said that he would legislate to ensure this happens if necessary.

Speaking to councillors and officials in local authorities, I've come across a range of arguments as to why they have no choice but to pass on greater cuts to the VCS than they were handed by central government.   I thought I'd put them down and see what others thought of them.

The Government is doing nothing about perceived responsibility – where the public thinks accountability lies for decisions.  Until they do, the localism agenda won't succeed.