The public services under Gordon Brown – similar reforms, less money1

Joint book review

“…There were certainly different accentuations between the two, not least in the two premiers' emphases on 'choice' and 'competition' in public services and a much more restrictive financial framework under Brown's leadership (Griffiths, 2009). Each tends to treat the Labour period as a block, with few distinctions being drawn between the Blair and (admittedly short-lived) Brown administrations.…”

“…Each tends to treat the Labour period as a block, with few distinctions being drawn between the Blair and (admittedly short-lived) Brown administrations. There were certainly different accentuations between the two, not least in the two premiers’ emphases on ‘choice’ and ‘competition’ in public services and a much more restrictive financial framework under Brown’s leadership (Griffiths, 2009). Perhaps more significantly, regional devolution – one of Labour’s more successful innovations – has diversified public services and employee relations increasingly, but the greater heterogeneity resonates little here.…”