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Can policy howlers be avoided? Can policy howlers be avoided?
(about 12 hours later)
By Michael Blastland Presenter, Radio 4's AnalysisBy Michael Blastland Presenter, Radio 4's Analysis
Some experts believe what is needed is fewer policiesSome experts believe what is needed is fewer policies
Heard the one about the zero tax rate for small companies?Heard the one about the zero tax rate for small companies?
A bright idea, yes? Except that it led to a rush of self-employed people turning themselves into companies to avoid tax.A bright idea, yes? Except that it led to a rush of self-employed people turning themselves into companies to avoid tax.
Bad policy can cost ministerial jobs.Bad policy can cost ministerial jobs.
The media and opposition pounce. We are a bloodthirsty lot when it comes to mistakes, taking tribal pleasure in cock-ups, gaffes, humiliating U-turns and blunders. The language of error is unforgiving.The media and opposition pounce. We are a bloodthirsty lot when it comes to mistakes, taking tribal pleasure in cock-ups, gaffes, humiliating U-turns and blunders. The language of error is unforgiving.
But political mistakes have a habit of repeating themselves. Failure to spot perverse incentives, for example, is a recurring theme.But political mistakes have a habit of repeating themselves. Failure to spot perverse incentives, for example, is a recurring theme.
So is there a way, for the sake of a better governed country - whoever is in power - of reducing the amount of bad policy?So is there a way, for the sake of a better governed country - whoever is in power - of reducing the amount of bad policy?
For Radio 4's Analysis programme, we canvassed opinion among commentators, former advisers and policy makers about why things go wrong and what can be done to improve the chances of policies succeeding.For Radio 4's Analysis programme, we canvassed opinion among commentators, former advisers and policy makers about why things go wrong and what can be done to improve the chances of policies succeeding.
Fewer policiesFewer policies
Former Treasury and Department of Education adviser Paul Johnson believes the answer is simple and abrupt: Less policy.Former Treasury and Department of Education adviser Paul Johnson believes the answer is simple and abrupt: Less policy.
Too often, the rush to be seen to be doing something ends in that something being badly thought-through, he says.Too often, the rush to be seen to be doing something ends in that something being badly thought-through, he says.
LISTEN TO THE PROGRAMME Analysis BBC Radio 4, Sunday 28 February at 2130 GMTOr listen via the BBC iPlayer Or subscribe to the podcastLISTEN TO THE PROGRAMME Analysis BBC Radio 4, Sunday 28 February at 2130 GMTOr listen via the BBC iPlayer Or subscribe to the podcast
"Ministers respond to what they see happening and if they see their colleagues are getting their names up in lights because they're doing six different policies in a year, being promoted, then they're going to carry on doing the same thing."Ministers respond to what they see happening and if they see their colleagues are getting their names up in lights because they're doing six different policies in a year, being promoted, then they're going to carry on doing the same thing.
"So it's a difficult thing to imagine, but I think a brave prime minister could implement it.""So it's a difficult thing to imagine, but I think a brave prime minister could implement it."
Promoted for doing less. Now that would be refreshing.Promoted for doing less. Now that would be refreshing.
Fraser Nelson, editor of the Spectator, has a different view.Fraser Nelson, editor of the Spectator, has a different view.
He thinks ministers should get a reputation for being the kind of politician who says: 'If I make a mistake, I will scrap the policy and say sorry.'He thinks ministers should get a reputation for being the kind of politician who says: 'If I make a mistake, I will scrap the policy and say sorry.'
Such a commitment from Ken Livingstone over the congestion charge, he says, made him more likely to vote for a man he might have been expected to think of as political poison.Such a commitment from Ken Livingstone over the congestion charge, he says, made him more likely to vote for a man he might have been expected to think of as political poison.
Know when to stopKnow when to stop
Almost everyone we spoke too agreed that politicians should resist the temptation to flog dead horses.Almost everyone we spoke too agreed that politicians should resist the temptation to flog dead horses.
Beware persevering with bad ideas by letting them become a test of your authority - like the poll tax, said one - or hanging too much of your ideology on them.Beware persevering with bad ideas by letting them become a test of your authority - like the poll tax, said one - or hanging too much of your ideology on them.
But all also agreed that this was tough for people driven by conviction or ego.But all also agreed that this was tough for people driven by conviction or ego.
Ministerial mistakes are given short shrift by the opposition and mediaMinisterial mistakes are given short shrift by the opposition and media
Another approach suggested by former cabinet minister Estelle Morris and former No 10 adviser David Halpern is to pay attention to the research about what actually works.Another approach suggested by former cabinet minister Estelle Morris and former No 10 adviser David Halpern is to pay attention to the research about what actually works.
Too often, they say, policy runs on a belief in what ought to work, not a test of what does.Too often, they say, policy runs on a belief in what ought to work, not a test of what does.
Finally, how about a suggestion from other professions?Finally, how about a suggestion from other professions?
A checklist of any or all the above and who knows what else besides - the things you should always do before starting anything, like a pilot in a cockpit or a surgeon in an operating theatre.A checklist of any or all the above and who knows what else besides - the things you should always do before starting anything, like a pilot in a cockpit or a surgeon in an operating theatre.
Faced with complexity - and few things in life are more complex than government - think about what goes wrong most often and instead of simply glorying in the gore of other people's failures, work out the checks that would most helpfully guard against them.Faced with complexity - and few things in life are more complex than government - think about what goes wrong most often and instead of simply glorying in the gore of other people's failures, work out the checks that would most helpfully guard against them.
Because when we asked people about the systematic study of patterns and trends in policy error, most replied: "What study?" They didn't know of any.Because when we asked people about the systematic study of patterns and trends in policy error, most replied: "What study?" They didn't know of any.
Mistakes in politics seem a personal blood sport we would rather enjoy than a systematic cost to avoid.Mistakes in politics seem a personal blood sport we would rather enjoy than a systematic cost to avoid.
Michael Blastland explores failure for BBC Radio 4's Analysis programme on Sunday 28 February at 2130 GMT. Or listen again via the BBC iPlayer. You can also subscribe to the podcast.Michael Blastland explores failure for BBC Radio 4's Analysis programme on Sunday 28 February at 2130 GMT. Or listen again via the BBC iPlayer. You can also subscribe to the podcast.
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