It's been gratifying to see widespread condemnation of Chris Grayling's recent gagging instruction to all probation staff and if anything it's served to re-energise the campaign to keep the Service public. When you are so obviously losing the argument for a policy, it's outrageous and completely counter-productive in a democracy to attempt to silence critics and I'm pleased to say it's helped restore NAPO's mojo.
Regular readers might recall that a week or two back I highlighted what appeared to be a sneaky government plan to begin privatising the Fire Service by means of encouraging some Service's like Cleveland to mutualise.
Probation staff will be very familiar with this concept as it's being continually talked about in relation to probation privatisation. In some quarters it's being seen as a more preferable alternative, but as we all know, at some point mutuals can de-mutualise, especially if they prove successful and the beneficial owners are seduced by private sector loot and are persuaded to cash-in. It leads to privatisation, but via a more circumlocutory route.
Anyway, 38 Degrees mounted a massive petition against privatisation of the Fire Service and interestingly it's had the desired effect. Recently Eric Pickles, the minister responsible, was forced to categorically rule out any privatisation of the Fire Service in response to widespread public concern. He even went as far as confirming that he would ensure that regulations did not make it possible for any Service to become a mutual, thus scuppering Cleveland's plans.
So, what do we learn from this? First off, that campaigning and public awareness does affect government policy. Secondly, that u-turns happen all the time in government policy - another recent example is the back-tracking on minimum unit-pricing of alcohol - and thirdly that the public has absolutely no appetite for privatising public services.
Here's hoping that the ham-fisted attempted gagging of probation staff will continue to bring well-deserved reputational damage upon the Ministry of Justice and its Ministers for many more weeks to come and that the campaign to save probation continues to gain momentum!
Sign the No10 petition here.
Acording to Pickles, he was asked by the Cleveland Labour authority to see if the law could be changed to allow for mutuals in the fire service. It's left to 38 Degrees to lead a principled opposition while the Labour Party, as ever, adopts a pragmatic approach.
ReplyDeleteThe parliamentary parties are all in thrall to privatisation.
I didn't know the Cleveland initiative came from the Labour-controlled Fire Authority - I had wrongly assumed that the government had given a 'nod and a wink' to them, so thanks for that.
DeleteAs you say, there's not a cig paper to put between all three major political parties on privatisation - a really worrying comment on our democratic set-up.
If UKIP want to make even more mischief ahead of the next General Election, they'd do well to sort out what stand they're going to take on such matters. In the mean time - well done 38 Degrees!
Goes to show you CAN fool some of the people ALL of the time.
ReplyDeleteRob,
DeleteIndeed! Nice to hear from you again and I congratulate you in your continued efforts on the NAPO forum site.
Cheers,
Jim
Jim,
ReplyDeleteStill awaiting a response from Serco - 10 questions on why CP in London after S take over is giving cause for concern!.. http://www.ethosjournal.com/topics/justice/item/426-community-payback-and-rehabilitation...
On a slightly more restrained note sad to read of the death of David Mathieson ex-CPO Merseyside. who was at the time he entered the profession the youngest PO in the country...recall that he bought the trounced Middlesex soccer team a pub lunch after the game.. now that is what I call a public service!
Blimey things must be getting dodgy if you're commenting anonymously! lol
DeleteSadly I never knew David but he certainly seems to have made his mark.
I await with interest the results of your endeavours regarding Serco and thanks for your continued support.
Cheers,
Jim
@ Mike / anonymous
DeleteYou need to read more carefully:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmjust/uc964-i/uc964.pdf
Grayling claims nearly 40% savings from London CP, not £40m. I believe the claimed cash saving figure is £25m :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18827469
Have you written to Mr Hornby or just left comments?
Jim,
ReplyDeleteSlip of the finger! Cheers for amended figure ( always got a little befuddled when Oasys reviews were due!)....questions sent to Mr Hornby directly & as appended comments on Serco website...will happily forward if/when response known?
Regards
Mike
With only O-level economics I can't work out how Custody Plus was too expensive to implement during the Blair/Brown boom but is now achievable during the present austerity. I understand all the creaming, parking and general misrepresentation but still don't get it. Anyone out there with an A-level pass?
ReplyDelete