The Plan: Twelve Months to Renew Britain
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Product Description
Product Description
Britain is heading in the wrong direction. The British people are giving up on politics and politicians. Here is a plan to renew Britain written by an MP and an MEP.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
58 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I had low expectations of this book; I thought it would contain only platitudes about how referendums and the Internet are going to change politics.
In fact, the Plan surprised me by being well thought out, achievable and radically brilliant.
They recommend the transferral of Crown prerogative powers (such as declaring war and appointing ambassadors) from the Prime Minister to Parliament.
They suggest that continued European integration is not in the UK's best interest and recommend withdraw from the EU and rejoining the European Free Trade Agreement, like Norway or Switzerland.
The main gist of their domestic policy recommendations is 'localism', which means putting public services in the hands of local councils, trying to emulate the competition in government that the united States enjoy.
They suggest that state education should have voucher-like systems to make it more market-driven and to allow parents to choose.
For health, they suggest people should be able to opt-out of the NHS and pay into a health saving account so they're in charge of choosing doctors, facilities etc.
Local police priorities should be decided by democratically elected 'Sheriffs'.
VAT should be replaced with a local sales tax at a level set by councils. This would make councils self-financing and exert downward pressure on taxation.
They propose a Swiss style ability to prompt referendums with enough people to sign a petition, so if Parliament considers an unpopular bill and campaigners can get a petition of 2.5% of electors within the time limit, the government must either withdraw the legislation or put it to a referendum.
There are plenty more of great suggestions but those are a couple that stand out in my mind. I recommend you buy this book and be encouraged that UK politics is salvageable!
In fact, the Plan surprised me by being well thought out, achievable and radically brilliant.
They recommend the transferral of Crown prerogative powers (such as declaring war and appointing ambassadors) from the Prime Minister to Parliament.
They suggest that continued European integration is not in the UK's best interest and recommend withdraw from the EU and rejoining the European Free Trade Agreement, like Norway or Switzerland.
The main gist of their domestic policy recommendations is 'localism', which means putting public services in the hands of local councils, trying to emulate the competition in government that the united States enjoy.
They suggest that state education should have voucher-like systems to make it more market-driven and to allow parents to choose.
For health, they suggest people should be able to opt-out of the NHS and pay into a health saving account so they're in charge of choosing doctors, facilities etc.
Local police priorities should be decided by democratically elected 'Sheriffs'.
VAT should be replaced with a local sales tax at a level set by councils. This would make councils self-financing and exert downward pressure on taxation.
They propose a Swiss style ability to prompt referendums with enough people to sign a petition, so if Parliament considers an unpopular bill and campaigners can get a petition of 2.5% of electors within the time limit, the government must either withdraw the legislation or put it to a referendum.
There are plenty more of great suggestions but those are a couple that stand out in my mind. I recommend you buy this book and be encouraged that UK politics is salvageable!
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The most refreshingly detailed action plan for restoring Britain (and a few other countries if they cared to consider) to a sense of purpose and democracy, that i have read in years. It is accurately and well written. One wonders where the individual authors drew the line for their specific contributions as the style is consistent throughout. I can easily agree with 95% of their suggestions and I am sure that if either author had the chance to speak to me I might well add the remaining 5%.
The beauty of the book is that it is so reasonably argued and apparently do-able by a new government determined to re-introduce the idea of political accountability to as low down the line as possible - the Councils and in some cases the individuals themselves. We live in a second-hand and second-rate Britain but this book and its detailed criticisms and suggestions offer a new start. I shall be buying a couple of extra copies to send to friends. Once read there is the need to re-tell its contents to whoever will listen - be warned!
The beauty of the book is that it is so reasonably argued and apparently do-able by a new government determined to re-introduce the idea of political accountability to as low down the line as possible - the Councils and in some cases the individuals themselves. We live in a second-hand and second-rate Britain but this book and its detailed criticisms and suggestions offer a new start. I shall be buying a couple of extra copies to send to friends. Once read there is the need to re-tell its contents to whoever will listen - be warned!
44 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a devotee of their previous publication 'Direct Democracy', it was with great anticipation that I awaited phase two which it turns out lives up to the high quality free thinking of it's predecessor.
Since Direct Democracy there has been great changes both technologically and politically. Blogs and grassroots websites have taken on the mainstream media, and given the public thousands of sources of information where previously they were restricted to TV and Newspapers. Politically, the public are growing tired of a big unaccountable Government and it's various agencies poking its nose into every aspect of their lives.
So how is The Plan different from Direct Democracy? Well for a start the title is a confliction for it conjures up images of Stalin and Brown with Tractor Production figures which couldn`t be more different from its content.
Instead it extends previous ideas with adaptations and additions to deal with different conditions. In the book stays moves to make Councils self financing and election sheriffs to make local services properly accountable. The additions include action to make quangos, senior judges and ambassadors accountable, even more proposed devolution to counties and cities in much matters as social security, and a "Great Repeal Bill" to annul unnecessary and burdensome laws.
The topic I think will really be taken on quickly is the way the internet is changing politics. The old structures of the local Party and Branch, Trade Union's ect are dwindling and a new internet based single issue politics is emerging. As the Authors predict, the political party that realises and "gets" the this will be the one that starts to do so called "digital politics" in Britain correctly.
In summary this is a radical, thought provoking book which sets out a truly democratic accountable Britain and is well worth a read.
Since Direct Democracy there has been great changes both technologically and politically. Blogs and grassroots websites have taken on the mainstream media, and given the public thousands of sources of information where previously they were restricted to TV and Newspapers. Politically, the public are growing tired of a big unaccountable Government and it's various agencies poking its nose into every aspect of their lives.
So how is The Plan different from Direct Democracy? Well for a start the title is a confliction for it conjures up images of Stalin and Brown with Tractor Production figures which couldn`t be more different from its content.
Instead it extends previous ideas with adaptations and additions to deal with different conditions. In the book stays moves to make Councils self financing and election sheriffs to make local services properly accountable. The additions include action to make quangos, senior judges and ambassadors accountable, even more proposed devolution to counties and cities in much matters as social security, and a "Great Repeal Bill" to annul unnecessary and burdensome laws.
The topic I think will really be taken on quickly is the way the internet is changing politics. The old structures of the local Party and Branch, Trade Union's ect are dwindling and a new internet based single issue politics is emerging. As the Authors predict, the political party that realises and "gets" the this will be the one that starts to do so called "digital politics" in Britain correctly.
In summary this is a radical, thought provoking book which sets out a truly democratic accountable Britain and is well worth a read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Thought inspiring hope.
Feeling stymied by the political situation? This book triggers thought and allows the entertainment of hope. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Michael A. Bartlett
A well written, structured eye-opener
I must declare interests - I am something of an admirer of Daniel Hannan; I am very anti-EU; I am a hardline, small government, low-tax, libertarian Tory. Read more
Published 15 months ago by the_head
The True Way Forward
It's curious to see in politics how most people regard the Left wing as having a monopoly on 'being progressive' & that anything the Right wing offer is reactionary & sending the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Magic Lemur
The Plan by Carswell and Hannan
This book gave a clear and easy to read account of some carefully thought out ideas for governing the UK. Read more
Published 24 months ago by John Bracewell
Book reordered, Britain reordered
With the general election result settled, I decided to find & re-read my copy of this book that I purchased last year. Read more
Published on 18 May 2010 by Roger Cruse
A Clear and Precise Vision - but a bit off the wall at times.
This book gives a unique and different view of politics within the UK, and a prescription to address the issues as seen by the authors. Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2009 by S. Stubbs
12 months to destroy Britain
European Integration not the way forward? - And a good comparison is Norway... Where to start with that one. Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2009 by Mr. Christopher M. Adderley
The Plan - the _only_ way forward for Britain
This book offers the UK a blueprint for restoring public trust in government. The simple ideas outlined in the book such as local empowerment and the withering away of unelected... Read more
Published on 17 July 2009 by R. Clayton
Some sense at last
I found this book to be a breath of fresh air.
Like many other people living in this bankrupt, bureaucratic, surveillance state, I have long despaired of the systematic... Read more
Like many other people living in this bankrupt, bureaucratic, surveillance state, I have long despaired of the systematic... Read more
Published on 11 July 2009 by M. Duston
Chilling proto Tory manifesto?
A must read and readable book for anyone interested in the future of politics in this country and beyond. Read more
Published on 2 July 2009 by Power to the People: Fair Voting now
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