Leading Labour adviser turns on Blair
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One of Labour's leading supporters from the world of business has urged Tony Blair to drop his obsession with choice in health and education - at the very time when the Prime Minister has vowed to make choice one of the big themes of the general election.
One of Labour's leading supporters from the world of business has urged Tony Blair to drop his obsession with choice in health and education - at the very time when the Prime Minister has vowed to make choice one of the big themes of the general election.
Mr Blair insisted yesterday that one of the basic aims of New Labour had to be to "introduce greater choice and open up outdated monoliths of public service provision".
But Lord Haskins, who has acted as Mr Blair's adviser on issues ranging from the euro to combating red tape, today dismisses "choice" in public services as a "red herring".
Writing in The Independent on Sunday, he says: "The Government believes that we should be treated as consumers and that we should exercise choice about which product suits us best, as we do in the supermarkets. But the supermarket experience cannot be translated into the public services."
Mr Blair urged Labour supporters to take the Tory threat seriously at the election.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments