Two junior ministerial appointments today suggest areas where the coalition government intends to be radical. First, Nick Herbert has been made minister for police reform. In opposition, Herbert was key to the elected police commissioners agenda and this appointment suggests that the coalition will follow through on this idea in government.
The police establishment will attempt to stop elected police commissioners from happening. It’s crucial that Cameron doesn’t blink when they do. Elected police commissioners will ensure that the police concentrate on the crimes that really worry the public. They will do a huge amount tom reduce fear of crime.
The other significant appointment is Greg Clark as minister for decentralisation. Clark is a real localist and I suspect that this is an area where the coalition government will be more radical than a purely Tory one would have been.
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