Day: December 21, 2011

Should Bristol have an elected Mayor?

Early next year we will be debating the biggest question facing local democracy in our area. If Bristolians vote for a mayor in May 2012 it will surely be the most profound change in local government since the county of Avon was abolished when I was a young […]

Do we need to reinvent the wheel on housing finance?

[Originally posted at the Guardian Housing Network, 18/12/11] If the government finally accepts that fiscal consolidation, even when coupled with quantitative easing, is not a policy that can deliver adequate economic growth, what might a credible plan B look like? A recent report for Shelter made the case […]

A ‘sickening epidemic’

That is how Peter John, leader of Southwark Council, described the theft of public art and metal. He was referring to the theft of Barbara Hepworth’s bronze Two Forms (Divided Circle) from Dulwich Park. The assumption is that it will be sold for scrap.         […]