Same old Gordon
Not a lot from Gordon Brown this week, but frenetic activity last week. You may have forgotten the policy initiatives he announced. Here’s a reminder.
- Numeracy day to make British maths standards comparable with the rest of the world. Also announced in the 2007 Budget; by the Schools Minister in Spetember 2006; by Ruth Kelly in October 2005. Also announced by Brown in 1998 and 2000 (launch of national numeracy strategy and Maths Year).
- Eco-towns. First announced in 1997, when 10,000 new homes were planned. Fewer than a thousand have been built. One specific site mentioned by the Chancellor, in Cambridgeshire, was announced in 2003.
- Restoring power to Parliament. Gordon first talked about subjecting public appointments to Parliamentary scrutiny in 1992. Nothing seems to have happened since.