The Spectator

A big Tory majority. So where are the Conservative policies?

What is the point of a Conservative majority? The answer might once have been to implement Conservative policies. But now it’s not so clear. Budgets are normally the way to judge a government, but we didn’t have one last year. On 11 March, we will learn how Sajid Javid intends to govern the public finances and just how far the Tory government is able to take advantage of the unprecedented political opportunity. It will become clear whether the government sees this moment as a time for boldness, or caution.

Leaving the European Union is a radical act, but its effect is mainly political. It will remove a constraint, but will not — in and of itself — make much of a difference. Whether Britain dives or thrives will depend on the decisions made in Downing Street. The Chancellor told us to expect up to £100 billion of new infrastructure spending over the next few years, financed by low rates. The goal of balancing the books, so crucial to the Cameron/Osborne years, is being abandoned.

But covering the north of England in cranes and hi-vis jackets will not do much for those who need more immediate help. House prices are far too high, and will rise even higher unless planning rules can be reformed. Politicians of all parties have known this for years, but during the era of minority politics no one felt bold enough to take decisive action. If no one does so now, probably no one ever will — and younger generations will grow more disenchanted than ever about the prospect of capitalism without capital.

Another scandal in Britain is the cost of childcare: it is this, not gender discrimination in the workplace, that holds back women’s careers. With some of the highest rates for childcare in the developed world, too many women find that if they do return to work, their salary barely covers the cost of a nursery.

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