National Trust Gallery

 

The Department for integrated Government

Integrative Government

This is a new department focused on ensuring that all policies and actions fit well together.

There are numerous examples were strengthening one area of government involves weakening another.  The balance if often very challenging and controversial.  There are areas where governments have direct control, but most where they just have influence.  If a government introduces a new policy, this may result in some multinationals withdrawing investments.  A decision must be made as to whether a compromise can be struck, new legislation passed, or alternative plans are put in place.  An example is the speed at which the UK should Embrace the ‘net zero’ policy.  This involves changes in car manufacture, and the switch from petrol to electricity.  This should be happening right now, if the UK is to take the moral high ground and make it clear that we support more vulnerable countries.  However risking the crashing of the economy is not possible politically or humanitarianly.

Policy must be place at the edge of the collective comfort zone and pushed gently towards a ‘better’ desired position, using very clear and consensual ideas.  The move is to be incentivised through rewards.

This department will be allowed to stand back and take a grand overview.  Examples of it’s achievements will be,

To integrate transport to that anyone can travel freely without thinking or planning, in the same way that car owners have taken for granted.  The system in The Netherlands will be it’s model.  The cost of travel is very predictable, with the cost depended on the number of unit squares crossed.  In less populated areas, the squares are larger. The models of transport interconnect, similar to ‘Transport for London’, and ‘Transport for Wales’.  There will also be an array of local and national travelcards.  This transport will be integrated into the needs of a local community, considering the needs of school children, the elderly and people getting to work.

Public transport will be designed to be preferred to private transport.

Another example will be integrating the competing need for housing with the need to care for the environment.  This will include economic incentives to careful and protect the natural world.

Social care and health have long needed to integrate their budgets.  This government would integrate social care and health to ensure that the Japanese concept of ‘harmony’ was achieved, where the wellbeing of all is maximised.  This will help to get hospitals running smoothly, using manufacturing models on demand and capacity.  In this way waiting list will be eliminated, because accessible referrals will match the capacity of the service.

Many of the ideas behind successful integration will be lead by our universities. There will be international conventions where different academics are able to work together from different disciplines to facilitate new ideas. Previous examples of this way of working can be seen in the Macy Conferences  held in the USA in the 1960's. 

Cycling to Work

 What do you pass on your way to work?  This is the record of my journey

1) An Elm Tree.

2) An Islamic School.

3) A Congregational Church.

4) A brand new bandstand.

In Victoria Park- just because there used to be one.

5) The largest war memorial in the UK.

Designed by Lutyens- opened 1923.

6) An Art Gallery - Attenborough Centre for Arts and Disability.

Wonderful exhibition by Mohammed Barrangi 
"Playing in Wonderland"

7) A prison.

Yes there is talk of turning it into a hotel.

8) Wallis and Gromit- revealed.

8) A University engineering building that failed.

The Queen's Building. The chimneys are a natural cooling system.
The design did not work because the doors are constantly
 being opened and closed to let the students in and out.

9) A river

The River Soar, which flows into the Trent.

10) a terrifying children's slide.

a friend of mine's son once stood at the pinnacle.

11) My old place of work.

Westcotes House.
Pevsners comment on this building;-
"Purple and blue brink, large, varied,
 Gothic and gloomy."
Architect is Teulon

12) A Second Victorian Park. 

The Tram Shelter just outside the entrance to Western Park. 
It was the end of the line, and took people to a walk in the park.

Western Park

Finally New College.  My office is in the low
 building on the far right.

Connections in Art

 

Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) painted 'The Plum Garden at Kameido' (1856-58).  This painting now resides in the Honolulu Academy of Art, Hawaai, USA.  The card was given to me by my Aunt Julia, after she saw it at a visiting exhibition where she worked at the Royal Academy of Art, London.  I liked it and kept the card safe.  The picture is a wood block print so there are other copies around the world, including in Japan. 

There is a story that Vincent Van Gogh, when residing with his 'art dealer' brother Theo, was left for hours on his own with stacks of painting about him.  Vincent very much liked the Japanese prints and copied a number of them.  we saw this picture below in the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. It was painted inn the autumn 0f 1887

The Department of Housing and Urban Development

Habitat 69, in Montreal, designed by Moshie Safie

 Here we find some rather obvious policies, but then extraordinarily difficulties and barriers.

The principles for housing are- Everyone has a right to a safe, healthy and peaceful place to live.

Property should be accessible, and affordable. People should be given as much access as possible to green spaces.  As with food, this is a basic need.

There is a shortage of good accommodation. Development starts by using existing buildings, and then redevelops  derelict areas.  Finally we preserve so called ‘green field sites’, as part of our environmental policy.  The only exception is if everyone see the necessity of development for the long term prosperity of a town or city.  New homes can only be built if infrastructure is also planned.  This demands the some of the most integrated policy making in government.  New houses mean larger sewers, planning for rainwater run-off, schools, health services, roads, transportation. This is why development is often held up and causes local frustration.  This government will provide the oversight, and legislative frameworks needed to make decisions on empty property, make sure that investment in infrastructure happens quickly and is appropriately incentivised.

There will be an assumption that no property should be left empty for over one year.  Systems will be designed to combat fraud and the rich paying their way out of compliance.

The government will both support home ownership and the rental sector.  Rents will be regulated to ensure that renting, or home ownership, does not unfairly discriminate against the resident.  These decisions will be made by an independent body, much as the Bank of England set the interest rate for the country.

In the past, housing departments looked at the number of people registered as homeless, and provided a solution which worked at the time.  Many cities have tower blocks from this period.  Many are now removing these tower blocks, seen as unhealthy and dangerous. Sustainable new housing will require three criteria for success.  The first they must be appealing to the average person. We ask eth e question "will the properties feel safe, and how will social problems such as anti-social behaviour, drug use and petty crime be prevented?"  Second, they must be accessible, and the third they must fit with low energy requirements. 

To prevent the terrible waste of builders constructing non-compliant buildings, and getting away with it due to their commercial power, planners will have direct control over the financing of all new building, and be able to control the priorities through the withholding of payments. If builder threaten to declare bankruptcy due to non-compliance, local councils will have the power to purchase the whole project and find new contractors.

Power over local development will be commissioned by council planners, drawing on the expertise of local and interested artists. Architects and social thinkers.

The social issues associated with planning require an integrated approach.  Every society will have a small group of people who offend in every way. All communities need to plan how to manage this.  The traditional approaches have involved deportation, incarceration and ghettoisation.  In a similar way to the methods used in school to tackle bullying, housing departments will operate social models to 

1) empower bystanders, and combat fear. 

2) have accommodation suitable for the most vulnerable which provides protection. 

3) have accommodation for people with significant behavioural problems that acknowledges and contains the problems associated with anti social behaviour, crime and violence.

All localities will have neighbourhood forums which will be run by the voluntary sector, but enforced by legislation, with statutory representation, similar to the role provided by school governors, which will provide accountability and oversee fast action in enforce this policy. 

The Department for Social Security

 

Some of the most creative societies are those that live just on the edge.  When your needs are met, but only just, and with no guarantee, societies produce the most amazing art and creativity, in order to survive.  Societies that are comfortable produce nothing much.  But we do not wish hardship on anyone.   We think that it is everyone’s right to know that their basic needs are met, no matter what. 

It was the Liberals who many years ago proposed a basis human wage.  It was a bit like ‘child benefit’, in that every person got the same allowance.  (The Conservative government recently limited child benefit to just two children.)  If every person in the country had a basis income, enough to keep them alive, there would be no need to provide unemployment benefit.  Would this be a prohibitively large cost to society?  Yes, but for most people, the bill would be cancelled (paid and then paid back in taxation) straight away.   The incentive to work would be that the allowance would meet the very minimum cost of living.  All other income earnt would therefore be in addition, and the ‘poverty plateau’ (where you need to earn a significant amount to be better off) would be eliminated.  The unemployed would not have to worry that they might not like the work, and then loose their benefits (and therefore not risk it). Work would be rewarded.  People would feel secure, and therefore more able to work.

This policy was rejected because the majority of the population struggled to see that this policy was fair and felt that it was rewarding fecklessness. 

Walk on the Wayside

 My morning walk always presents interesting sights.  Generally I do not carry a camera.  Invariably when I do, I see nothing.  Here is a staged compromise.  It's a bit like taking a portrait- generally them are more interesting and lively when taken in the moment without any posing.  This is the wayside because I cross the stream and all the road are called 'way' Romway, Trueway, Fairway, Broadway, Highway.

A garden arrives, and takes over, like the gypsy principle
 of "where was I when you invented the rules?" The following day
The gravel had been laid waste again.

Down in it's luck, but still trying to be hopeful. 

In Leicester this is called a Jitty.

I like the rather unique windows.

A very fine detail with a date

1897, Empress of Great Britain, Ireland, India,
West Indies, Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
Bumah, [South] Africa, Gibraltar,
Malta and Cyprus, and Egypt. 
A year later came the whole of Hong Kong.

What an amazing hedge!

One has escaped into the neighbour's

A pile of pans, and roofing tiles.

Very impressive hedge!

Early Morning

Treasury

 

From long before Robin Hood had a go at righting wrongs, collecting the finances for government has been controversial.    

Once the people have the money, they really do not want to give it up, especially if in doing so, they disadvantage themselves compared to their neighbour who is corrupt.  Indeed, in a number of countries this has become institutionalised.  It becomes impossible to live without breaking the rules.  The government knows this and allows it.  It means every subject can be ‘taken out’, if necessary, by simply looking at their tax records.

The way western governments address non-payment of VAT is to try to get all transactions to go through the bank.  This is perhaps one reason why the ‘covid era’ concern about hygiene associated with paper money and coins has lead to a move towards a cashless society. 

How do we get around this? 

This government’s view is that we should create far more of a contract with the community over the financing of services.  These services should be accountable.  In the past there has been a ‘paternalistic’ relationship with the state, with perhaps resentment that services received are often poor.  We see this in poor housing, chaotic transport systems, long waiting lists, dysfunctional schools.

Just as the introduction of ‘student fees’ has galvanised students into demanding value for their money, so the government should be held to account in the provision of appropriate services.

Here are ideas to help improve the finances of government.

1)      As happens now, tax will be deducted from salaries before they are paid to the individual (wherever possible).

2)      For all professional groups that are not publicly financed there will be an assumed target for income generated.  If an individual says they have not reached that level, there will be an government agency who is able to over help to discover whether the income can be improved.

3)     The government will endeavour to control the flow of money coming in and out of the country. This will primarily be to address the vagaries of multinational ‘big business, which may use payments in one country to service debt in another country.

4)     The fiscal model used priorities the needs of the whole community above the individual.  This means that social research into effective societies will be closely monitored.  It is known that the countries where the populous reports to be the most content are societies where the disparity in incomes between people is kept in check.  If the mega rich choose to leave the country, this will be accepted as an acceptable consequence.                             An example of putting civil priorities over individual priorities is seen in the provision of public transport.  This is often caught in a catch 22 situation.  People do not use public transport because it’s not very good.  Because people do not use it, it’s not very good.  One way to get over this is to add a ‘voluntary’ tax of £20 to everyone.  This can be requested back, but with it, you also receive a free bus pass for the year. It this happened in an average sized city, the cost of running the bus service would be covered.  People from outside the city would still pay, but they would benefit from a health and functional service provided by the residents. 

5)      Taxation should be made as simple as possible, largely focused on incentivising work, and the responsible utility of property.  Past governments have introduced what was dubbed the ‘bedroom tax’ on social housing residents.  They were penalised for living in houses with empty room, with the mindset that ‘this is not your house;, and you need to move to somewhere smaller and give up that house for someone else.’  This principle could apply to everyone, with the idea that instead of building more homes, let’s use the ones we’ve got.   Closely allied to taxation comes the provision of social security.  This comes next.

Ministry of Defence

                       

It appears to be a sad fact that war is a reality in human existence.  Animals also fight, especially the males.  What can be done to minimise the chance of war, but also uphold justice and freedom? War now runs the risk of escalation into complete annihilation.  Brazil is a country that has a massive country, but its army is designed to be entirely defensive.  Current military challenges to Britain are:- 

• The use and risk of proxy wars (these are wars that could not take place without outside support). 
• The encroachment of 'hostile forces' into British airspace and territorial water.  
• The use of cyber attacks and threatening rhetoric (precursors to war.)
• Threats to allies, and commonwealth countries such as Guyana.

the ethics of 'proxy war' is very complex.  It appears that some wars may be happening for more than the headline title.   The fire is kept burning in order to create a stalemate which is actually the unsaid and obnoxious war aim. This creates slow torture for decades, and fuels instability and creates the need for migration.  The vulnerable are the innocent victims.

This government will take the long view, and argue for a pragmatic position involving 'strong' international consensus.  The aim is to defend human rights, and the rights of the innocent parties. This is not an appeasement position.  It upholds the concept that political solutions will need to be negotiated by the people affected, and exploitation and discrimination will be opposed by the majority of the membership of these international communities.  The value of weapons must he undermined at all times. The voice of peacemakers will be elevated through support given by the community of non belligerent nations, much as the power of the bully is largely provided by the crowd. 

No state is pure and innocent, even though its national consciousness likes to present this.  I is hoped that collectives can moderate the evil in each other, by making sure that evil remains a taboo.

Policy

Britain would not renew trident.  This is a weapon that is controlled by our ally USA.  Nuclear submarines are now detectable even in the deep ocean.  The security it offers is psychological. 

I am reminded of the CND cartoon of two boys in a cellar, up to their ankles in petrol.  One says to the other, “I am more powerful than you.  I have three matches and you only have one.”

This government would work with NATO to reduce and eventually remove the UK nuclear deterrent, using this as a bargaining chip to strengthen international communication and protocols and defence mechanisms. 

At no point would this be linked to a softening of resolve to defend the country, and defence spending will focus on defence. 

The principles of this change in defence policy mirror the idea that violence in parenting is not necessary or healthy.  Other ways of managing children are better, but they often have to be learnt.  Most people will learn them from their kind and loving parents.  In a similar way, this government is saying let us find more positive ways to control the evil intentions that riddle this world. The solution will not come from any one nation, but come from a combined effort, and always remain vigilant, just as anti-racism and sexism remains vulnerable to this day, and requires constant focus. 

Department for the Environment

 

The Monkey Trap-  Ah, I can't let go,
even though it will be the end of me!

Department for the Environment

Today the Greens launched their manifesto. It appears to be the only manifesto that promises that this will be harder and tougher under them.   It is easy for parties that will not become the next government to state things as they are.  Everyone who understands the science of climate change believes that humanity must do it’s bit to reduce global warming.  Although we can app play our part, this can only truly happen through concerted, collective political action.    The challenge is that we have our hands in ‘the monkey trap’.  In the West, have gripped riches and power, and do not want to let go.  In developing countries, such as China and India, there is no incentive to lessen the pace of development that has benefited so many.  What do we do?

The only way for nations to succeed is to work together.  This is what COP is about, but it needs to be held accountable.  While there is so much valuable oil in the ground, rich countries are not prepared to give up their wealth.  Consequently, it may be that we will have to rely on the amazing propensity of humans to adapt to adversity.  This may mean that nations must support the communities that are so at risk.  Bangladesh is at the forefront and is the most desiring, having produced little to no atmospheric pollutants compared to us. 

The prime ministers of several Caribbean countries have lead the moral crusade to change the legal framework of how the rights of nations are viewed internationally.  Mia Mottley,   president of Barbados, and a number of other leaders have made the case for a compensation based approach.  A bit like after a car crash, insurance brokers must work out who is responsible for the reparations, so Caribbean countries require help after devastating storms, far stronger than anything experienced previously, which act like bombs on fragile seaside communities.

This government see the necessity to address environmental issues at a global scale in order to protect Britain.  We are connected, morally, but also systemically. 

At home, the government would continue to help communities decide how the land will be split into three portions, or zones.  The first third of land is to preserve areas of outstanding natural beauty and national parks.  The second third is for land that can be exploited for food, timber and natural resources, but where the environment is still protected.  The last third is given over to towns and cities, including industry.  This land will increasingly also be preserved, but planning restrictions will be less strict. 

The three zone model is not new.  It remains  controversial.  As with Greenbelts, delineating land usage can push up prices, and create unstable planning environments.  This government is in favour of novel ways to create wonderful places to live.  This includes a law to allow local authorities to investigate why building are being left empty, and to put a greater expectation on communities that there is a moral obligation to provide accessible and affordable homes, where housing already exist.  On census day 2021, it was discovered that there were 1 ½ million empty homes in England alone.    This is a political issue.  Do we really want to built and build until we resemble the plant Coruscant, as features in the film 'Star Wars'. 

This government would start a conversation in local communities to address local housing need through the best use of existing housing, with clear responsibilities given to home owners to use property wisely and fairly. 

Department for Trade and Industry

 

Trade and Industry

All countries need to trade, but trade is very complex.  The simplest form of trade is perhaps the 'farmers market'.  But don't look too closely.  It is highly likely that all the components in, say, the cake, will have complex ingredients involving grants, subsidies and incentives.  What about quarrying sand?  There is nothing simple about this too, because the sand may have an elevated, or depressed price, dependent on world markets.  These world markets will also be dependent on the golden rule, “I will always sell to the highest bidder, not matter what that might do to me in the future.”

If we can work out a system of trade that is more intelligent than this, that would be great?  The world GAT agreement attempts to do that, but sadly there are always losers.  The Gambia produces peanuts as a major cash crop, but Europe is in league with the USA on peanuts, so even though Gambian peanuts are cheaper, they are not sold, and some of the crop is even turned into cheap soap.

This government will have another go, and will aim to create more equitable partnerships around the world.  The challenge is, that fairtrade is what the world needs more than anything.  Fair trade is likely to bring much high levels of equality, which means a transfer of power from countries in the North, to the South.  This government will sign up to that, and take that risk. 

Industry.  The key industries that Britain should be involved in should be ones which will benefit the whole world.  This does not mean that the defence industry should be disenfranchised.  Instead, the emphasis given to this industry should be ‘defence’. Sadly whenever there is war, as there is currently, the defence industry goes into overdrive, because weapons are actually being tested, and this horrendous research then turns into a gruesome form of development.  Britain must hold to the principle of not facilitating mass killings in order to turn a profit. 

Defence in the modern era is also focused on cyber protection, and security systems to reduce external threats.  An example of this would be to ensure that everyone who enters the country is checked against a data bank of known foreign agents.  In this way, the men who arrived from Russia to poison people in Salisbury may have been detected.  Who knows.

Industry in the UK can help to protect and promote wellbeing.  Tech companies can do far more to protect children and adults alike, and this government will ensure that this happens.

Department for Transport

 

Luxury car of the future.

Department for Transport

Here is one of our most controversial policies!  Car engine size is to be limited to 99cc or the electric equivalent.  Cars will become golf buggies, with a top speed of 40 mph, and an average speed of 20mph.

There are a few exceptions.  Taxi’s and commercial vehicles will continue to have larger engines.  Also emergency vehicles and accessible vehicles.

How do I get about at speed?  There will be a new network of roll on -roll off trains, just like the ones that go under the tunnel.  This will effectively provide for motorway travel.  An example of how this operate on land can be see if you want to take a car to the German island of Sylt.  To do this, you drive to Niebűll and board a car transporter or motorail, which takes you to Westerland on Styl.  

Using existing train networks, fast trains will mean that journey times are shorter, and less polluting. 

If we can get this policy through parliament, we will be very happy, because posh cars will now look very silly.