Articles by Deborah Mabbett

Lessons from the Covid-19 Inquiry for the Civil Service

Compelling evidence that the working relationship between ministers and civil servants has become dysfunctional.

Why the Civil Service is Failing – and What to do About it

The working relationship between ministers and civil servants has become dysfunctional.

London's ULEZ: Where Next for Curbing Emissions?

London’s ULEZ: Where Next for Curbing Emissions?

ULEZ was a phoney war: a small scheme with a marginal financial impact became the ground for a bigger battle.

Raising the Pension Age

Raising the Pension Age

Why has it been rather easy to raise the pension age in the UK?

Review: Artificial Islands. Adventures in the Dominions, by Owen Hatherley

The Everyday Economy: Introduction

A Hapless Government Produces an Unlikely Hero

One of the Truss government's remarkable achievements was to elevate the OBR from dull forecasting body to central pillar of fiscal responsibility.

Rediscovering Kalecki

One of the most-cited articles ever published by The Political Quarterly is a succinct discussion in 1943 by Michal Kalecki about the concept of full employment.

The Everyday Economy

As Labour meets in Liverpool, it has a chance to spell out what a thriving ‘everyday economy’ means.

The End of an Era in Pension Reform

The Financial Times (20 March) called it ‘the biggest pensions revolution for almost a century’ but their timing is a few decades out.

Territorial Politics After the Scottish 'No'

The Scottish referendum has been and gone, and attention has turned quickly to the prospect of another referendum, on Europe.

Business and Labour

If Labour offers policies to attract the votes of the non-wealthy, the wealthy are not likely to be favourably impressed. That’s just how partisan politics works.

Social Policy Through the Looking Glass: How to Make Poor Households Poorer

How did we end up in this looking glass world, where policies are sold as a package when they will actually work in opposite directions?

The Divided Tories

Coalition government at Westminster did not end in 2015: that much is now becoming apparent.

Waiting for the New Era of Trade Negotiations to Begin

MPs are back from their summer holidays and demanding to know the government’s negotiating position on Brexit.

Parliamentary Sovereignty and Brexit

In the absence of a written constitution, we rely on authoritative commentators to tell us what the rules are.

Where Next for Long-Term Care?

‘Caps for rich home-owners’ does not have the same ring to it, but that is the policy we seem to be locked into now.

With Long-Term Care, Stop Giving Expert Answers to the Wrong Questions

Why the Collapse of Carillion is a Governmental Failure

Too Many Bodies

Recent years have not been good to independent committees and policy advisory bodies.

The Politics of Power and of Support: Introduction to an Andrew Gamble Inspired Special Section on the Conservative Party

Andrew Gamble has, from a left perspective, an unmatched depth of insight into the Conservative party over the decades. We asked contributors to this special issue to assess the Conservatives with reference to Gamble's work.

A Crisis for Both Parties

Watching the Conservative leadership campaign would be an entertaining spectator sport, were it not that the winner will be prime minister.

The Supreme Court's Prorogation Decision: What it Means for the Future

Even among those who welcomed the Supreme Court's decision on the prorogation of parliament, there has been concern that the Court has entered into dangerous new territory.

Inequity in the Government’s Coronavirus Response May be Inevitable, But we Should Still Challenge It

If the current coronavirus crisis is to bring an enduring advance in social solidarity, we should seek broader and more robust principles for both contributing to and drawing from the common pool of fiscal resources.

Embracing Risk and Taking the Blame

Brexit was a hugely risky policy, but one which, in Michael Gove’s eyes, has re-engaged the electorate and combated public disillusionment.

Will Pork Barrel Politics Keep the Conservatives in Power?

The pork barrel strategy will not sink the government, but its new politics of place will struggle to deliver on its promises.

Beware Economists Bearing Policy Proposals

The 2011 Dilnot Commission proposed a cap on long-term care costs. Now that Andrew Dilnot is back on the airwaves defending the cap, it is opportune to explore the problem once more.

Why the Conservatives' Bond with Business is Weaker than Ever

The Conservatives' strategy is to build on Brexit by reaching for nationalistic excuses in the face of economic disruption, leaving its traditional allies in the business community fuming.