I tend to take a keen interest in policy pronouncements related to public services, and was particularly interested to see that the Conservative review group had reported back. Sadly, disappointment reared its ugly head all too soon.
It seems that there are only three public services, health, education and social housing. I presume this is to ensure that their supporters can be protected against outbreaks of plague, that young people can be taught respect for their elders and betters, and so poor, ugly people don't litter the streets and are hidden far away from decent society, i.e. Conservative voters.
But seriously, I'm not all that bothered about their policies on these issues. What really annoys me is the inference that these three aspects are the only public services that actually matter.
In fairness though, none of the major political parties have a particularly great record on public services and the civil service. Here, in summary, are their views;
Labour - like public services, especially in poor, mainly northern and Scottish, constituencies. Don't like civil servants - apparently we scratch their backs a little too vigorously?
Conservatives - apparently like them, but seem to prefer tax cuts to actually paying for them. Choice taken to its ultimate level perhaps?
Liberal Democrats - love public services, happy to pay for them but civil servants are such a problem. Why don't they come in nice pastel shades and in smaller numbers?
Greens - don't really care as long as they're GM-free, recyclable and come from sustainable communities.
Scottish Nationalists - English? Go home, a Scottish civil service for an independent Scotland!
Plaid Cymru - must be delivered in Welsh on demand. That's lovely, isn't it?
UKIP - save the pound!
This was a public service announcement on behalf of the 'Save the Civil Servant Fund'.
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