CYP Now - Analysis: Public services - Could the Tory proposals work out?

Released under a storm of internal mud-slinging, the Conservatives' proposals for public services combine a throwback to Thatcherism with innovative ideas for education. They have gained a mixed reaction from the sector, as Cathy Wallace finds out.

The Conservative Party's unveiling of its public services policy improvement report last week was almost overshadowed by an internal slanging-match.

While former health secretary Stephen Dorrell and Baroness Pauline Perry launched Restoring Pride in our Public Services, party leader David Cameron was facing accusations from former deputy leader Michael Ancram of "trashing" the party's Thatcherite past.

Certainly the report itself, a submission to the shadow cabinet which Dorrell and Parry hope will go some way towards shaping education, social housing and health policy, contains some striking departures from Thatcherite policy.

More power to teachers

During the early 90s, then education secretary Ken Clarke made it his mission to force teachers to become more accountable, "taking on" the profession.

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