However we got into the mess and who is to blame is not the issue of the day. George Osborne is right in saying that we have a real opportunity to change the way in which government delivers services and that cutting departmental budgets is not enough. In going further we face a number of issues.
Not least amongst them is the willingness or otherwise of the general population to accept fundamental changes to the core fabric of society. It is true that the government's popularity will be severely tested so early in the life of this parliament. They face a difficult balancing act between cutting the cost of government whilst maintaining a prudent yet pragmatic approach to ensuring the foundations of economic prosperity.
Part of the popularity battle will lay with how much they pin the need for change on past labour government failures and whether they keep looking forward. The 'New politics' agenda, if it is to be delivered is most of all about being different. For way too long, politicians and by default, the Government, has been seen to have lost touch with the reality of ordinary people living ordinary lives.
Most households face a daily/weekly dilemma of managing budgets and are forced to make choices that defer the better things for maintaining the essentials of family life. We all of us want better transport, access to effective health service, decent homes and good education for our children.
It seems to me that in the same way that government has a covenant with its Armed forces, it in turn has a covenant with the population. That covenant should be sacrosanct and enshrined in a form of long term plan. Most of those elements necessary for a strong social fabric and a solid basis for economic prosperity require critical infrastructure from which all of the population benefit. I have never understood why there hasn't been a national plan spanning, say 60 years, which identifies and implements the development of Schools, Transport network, Housing, Hospitals and services that support a vibrant and prosperous society.
The idea that such infrastructure can be picked within one parliament and dropped by another leads to substantial waste of money and sets back long term growth. If the coalition Government wants to make real change then lets start with creating a vision of how we want the UK to be in the next century and start laying those foundations.
I wholeheartedly believe that we are ready for this sort of change. Though there will be lots of people who will remain sceptical of whether it will really work, their concerns can be dealt with by making sure that future governments cannot undo the 'National plan'. I also accept that such a plan will need to be changed from time to time but this should not be for political reasons alone. There must be a sound social reason for making changes which need to be clearly set out.
At the same time, we need to fundamentally change the processes by which infrastructure projects are delivered. Rather than there being a presumption against development at local and national level, there is a need to introduce a system of planning that accepts it will happen in the national interest. Local and national groups who may oppose projects should be consulted and included within the project planning process. Where agreement or compromise cannot be reached then the matter should be returned to parliament for debate and decision.
I am positive about the future and what it holds for my own children. I am also willing to support real change in delivery of government if it results in those who are disadvantaged being able to see a positive future and encourages those who are able and willing to make a positive economic contribution to the well being of the nation.
By adopting a long term 'National plan' private sector and capital markets will also be able to see that all political parties are committed to developing the the UK as a place to live and work. It will identify opportunities for projects and the funding that is critical to delivery. The legislation to set a framework for and operation of a 'National Plan' will take time to introduce. If this government is serious about effecting real change then it should make this a core component of its deficit reduction plan. At the same time it would set out the basis on which future service delivery will be orientated and give greater definition of public expenditure in the long term.
Making a positive from a negative situation is never easy. In this instance, being bold and asking people to create and share in a vision for the future is a good first step.
