A report from Demos warns that Labour’s missions are at risk of failing if the government does not involve the whole country, including businesses and the wider public, because the age of “command and control” has ended.
Demos urges the government to adopt “mass mobilization” to engage businesses, charities, unions, and the wider public in driving its high-priority missions, which include growth, clean energy, reducing crime, rebuilding the NHS, and reforming education.
Keir Starmer has spoken about “reshaping the state” to make it work better for people, but differing opinions exist within the government regarding how to achieve these missions. Some want to empower communities and frontline services, while others favor a more traditional “command and control” approach from central government.
According to the report, central government alone cannot deliver its missions and must learn to give up power. The “command and control” model is ineffective for driving reform.
Wes Streeting abolished NHS England to take more control of the health department, but has promised to devolve more power to frontline organizations delivering healthcare.
Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, has announced a 15% cut in back office costs to fund more frontline services.
Demos emphasizes the need for greater involvement from the public, business, and civil society. They suggest participatory methods for public engagement and encouraging active citizenship through volunteering.
Additionally, Demos recommends creating external “mission councils” to encourage collective action from all sectors and civil society in achieving the government’s goals.
Polly Curtis, CEO of Demos, states that if the government relies solely on command and control structures to achieve its missions, it will fail. She advocates for putting partnership at the heart of government to forge a new way for the country to move forward together.
Number 10 has established a new “partnerships unit” to foster more collaboration with society, but the report warns of a risk of Whitehall remaining too inward-facing and missing the opportunity to mobilize actors across the country around shared national missions.
The Cabinet Office has been approached for comment.
