Total Politics speaks to Stephen Greenhalgh, leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council about the coalition’s policies for local councils, how his university friends are doing on the frontbench and the problem of inexperienced politicians.
As a Conservative council leader, how are you finding the coalition?
I’m very encouraged by what Eric Pickles has achieved in his first 100 days. He has committed more power down to local people. All the moves seem to be towards greater devolution of power and moving from central control — which is a good thing.
Where should Pickles focus next?
He has got various challenges, first of which is he’s got to combine the devolution of power to local authorities and to local people with the fact that we’ve got less money. He’s got to combine that environment with the need to see more house-building — that is going to be a tough one with the economic environment. He’s got to continue the path of cajoling the councils to do the right thing rather than demanding them.
You attracted attention last year for saying: "My mates are all in the shadow cabinet, waiting to get those [ministerial] boxes, being terribly excited. I went to university with them, they haven’t run a piss-up in a brewery. They’re going to get a department of state, in one case running the finances of the nation." What do you think of them now?
Ah ha, well... the context of that is important! It was about the state of national politics and the need to have, I believe, a vibrant political structure below national politics. I feel that is lacking in the United Kingdom, which isn’t the case in the United States and France and other countries. The comment I’ve made is that the shadow cabinet hadn’t run a piss up in a brewery — to paraphrase Obama — "yes they can!" I never said they couldn’t...
How are they doing now?
I was highlighting a problem for all incoming governments. The truth is I think they’ve done incredibly well but it’s only the first 100 days. Tough times lie ahead but I have every confidence that there is clarity of vision and resolve to sort out the nation’s finances and also to grapple with the big issues like welfare reform and decentralising power away from Whitehall.
What do you mean by a "problem" for all incoming governments?
Currently very few politicians have had any practical experience of public administration before they enter government. Few politicians of all political parties have honed skills outside Westminster. Just look at the Labour leadership contenders — almost all of whom are former special advisers. We need urgently to establish a vibrant political structure below national politics and for elected politicians to run cities, towns and local councils well who then to progress onto the national stage.