Hugh Bochel

Marginalised or Enabled Voices? ‘User Participation’ in Policy and Practice

The idea of participation has been central to many policy developments in recent years. Both Conservative and Labour governments have used notions of participation and involvement in attempts to justify and implement their social policies. Yet, despite a plethora of initiatives and guidance around ‘participation’ emerging from all levels of government, and a substantial academic literature, there remains a major, and potentially damaging, lack of clarity over many aspects of participation, while the secret of achieving ‘real’ participation appears to continue to remain elusive.

Local Political Leadership and the Modernisation of Local Government

Abstract Political leadership has been a key element of central governments attempts to ‘modernise’ local government over the past decade, within a discourse that emphasised ‘strong’ and ‘visible’ leadership and the role of leaders and leadership in driving change within local authorities. In the context of such an approach, and also taking account of academic discourse, this article draws upon interviews with nearly thirty individuals in leadership positions in local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to assess their experiences of leadership and their views of some aspects of the role and work of councils. It suggests that whilst there is broad convergence between the aspirations of government and the narratives that emerge from these leaders on some aspects of local political leadership, there are also differences, perhaps most notably over the relationship between changes to decision-making structures and the loci of political power.

MPs' Attitudes to Welfare: A New Consensus?

The post-war ‘consensus’ on welfare was based largely in the perceived agreement of leading politicians of Conservative and Labour parties on the role of the mixed economy and the welfare state. However, from the late 1970s economic and demographic pressures and ideological challenges, particularly from the New Right, led to cuts in spending on welfare, increased private involvement and an emphasis on more individualistic and selectivist approaches to provision. Recently some scholars have begun to discuss the emergence of a ‘new liberal consensus’ around welfare provision. Drawing upon interviews with ten per cent of the House of Commons, this article examines the extent to which a new political consensus upon welfare can be identified. In addition to analysing responses to questions upon welfare issues it considers the extent to which MPs themselves believe there to be some degree of consensus in approaches to welfare. It also considers whether any consensus exists merely in the political language used in relation to welfare issues, or whether there is a more substantive convergence.

The UK social policy process

Introduction Social Policy and Social Policy Analysis Perspectives on Policy-Making Power and Policy Central Government Multi-level Governance Quasi-government Participation Evaluation Conclusion Bibliography Index

Settled will or divided society? : voting in the 1997 Scottish and Welsh devolution referendums

At least partly because they appear to undermine the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, referendums have been rare events in the United Kingdom. The only UK-wide referendum was in 1975 (on membership of the European Community) and before 1997 there had been only three other significant sub-national referendums - in Northern Ireland (1973) and in Scotland and Wales on proposals for devolution (1979). The election of a Labour government in 1997 has resulted in a revival of interest in the device, however, and during the first 12 months of the new parliament there were four significant referendums - on a devolved parliament for Scotland, a representative assembly for Wales, the peace proposals and a parliament for Northern Ireland, and the government of London. Further referendums have been mooted on electoral reform, membership of the European single currency, and devolution to the English regions.

Exploring the Low Levels of Women's Representation in Japanese Local Government

Although women have consistently outvoted men in elections in Japan since the 1970s, the country has a relatively poor record in terms of women being elected to representative bodies. In recent years, there have been increases, particularly in the number of women in the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, but at the local level the rate of change has been slower. As in other states, a number of propositions have been put forward to explain the low numbers of women in local assemblies. Drawing upon a variety of sources, including the developing literature and interviews with women councillors and others, this article seeks to identify the variety of factors that have contributed to holding down levels of female representation in local government in Japan. It examines these in the context of recent changes and considers the extent to which there is the prospect for further change

Against the System? Women in Elected Local Government in Japan

Abstract Despite having a high level of voting by women, Japan has a poor record of female representation in elected government at both central and local levels. This article examines the position in local government and seeks to explore a number of possible explanations for the situation. It draws upon both theoretical and empirical work and identifies a variety of cultural, social and political barriers to women seeking election for local government. The article concludes that there are growing pressures for change including from outside the current mainstream of Japanese politics.

Minor Parties and Independents in Times of Change: Scottish Local Elections 1974 to 2007

Abstract This article explores the electoral performance of minor party and Independent candidates in Scottish local elections from 1974 to 2007. This is a period which began with a major restructuring of local government and ended with a change in the electoral system from first-past-the-post to the single transferable vote. It encompasses a second restructuring in the 1990s, the consolidation of the Scottish National Party as an electoral force, and the creation of the Scottish Parliament. Throughout the period, while there have been ebbs and flows, Independents and minor parties have remained significant players in local electoral politics in Scotland.

Social policy themes, issues and debates

The thoroughly revised and extended new edition of Social Policy: Issues and Developments provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary British social policy, whilst acting as a complete learning resource for introductory courses and ultimately later modules of study. Written by leading experts in the field, the text explores the major topics and areas in contemporary social policy, including health, housing, work, education, crime and criminal justice, and examines the socio-economic, political and governmental contexts within which social policy operates. It also includes extensive new material that fully addresses the historical, theoretical and contextual foundations of social policy, including a brand new discussion with regards to the foundations of welfare and social policy. Prominence is given to contemporary issues, to provoke thought and draw comparisons between theory and practice; it will also cover all the essential service areas within a historical context. Issues are addressed throughout in a lively and accessible style, and examples are richly illustrated to encourages the student to engage with theory and content and clearly see the relevance of social policy in our understanding of society. A dedicated companion website supports the text and adds further value for the student.

Public and Parliamentary Attitudes to Welfare

One of the core functions of parliament in the United Kingdom is arguably to represent the views of the people. While opinions differ as to the precise nature of this representation, one would expect to find a broad measure of comparability between public opinion and the opinions of those representing the public in parliament. This article examines the extent to which shifts in political attitudes towards the welfare state have been reflected in public opinion, particularly since the election of New Labour in 1997. Using data derived from a series of interviews with MPs from all sides of the House of Commons, and information on public attitudes to welfare collated from the British Social Attitudes survey, it seeks to identify and explain areas of disagreement and consensus in public and parliamentary attitudes to welfare. It focuses in particular on questions regarding commitment to state welfare provision, priorities in welfare spending and attitudes towards funding for welfare services.