Wandering Adventure Party

A key issue over the next four years will be how ReformUK's conduct & practice in local Govt. impacts on their polling & electoral chances in 2029?

Helen Pidd has been keeping a close eye on Reform's Lancashire County Council over the last seven months & presents an interesting picture of fragmentation & (often) inaction, and opposition within the Council.

There's plenty of time for things to develop, but already critics can seize on miss-steps & prejudice.

#politics
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/dec/13/reform-uk-lancashire-council-seven-months-in-power

@GeofCox

That's a good point; but the current NHS with prescription charges does do sort of a similar thing.... but I would accept my position on university & the NHS would be different - partly I think because while tertiary education is in a sense a top-up with other alternatives available from self-education to training & other approaches to learning, when it comes to health really once we're past nutrition & exercise the health service is a necessary 'solution' to your health issues...

@GeofCox

Yes, although actually I don't have a problem (in theory) with a student contribution to costs, on the economic grounds that its optimal to have those who benefit pay... but the key issue is the balance between public & private benefits... the current system is modelled on the notion that the individual captures all benefits of education & society almost none; rather its the other way round, which is why I favour a small (means-tested) UG fee, but extensive state support

As Richard Budd (LancasterU) suggests, anyone thinking undergraduate fees are a good move for Scotland clearly hasn't been paying attention to how they've played out in England.

While originally justified as a 'top up' to Govt. funding they came to replace such funding, and the associated fee-based business model lies at the heart of the crisis engulfing universities across England & Wales.

Better to find a different strategy for Scottish universities!

#universities
https://ddubdrahcir.wordpress.com/2025/09/03/fees-for-scotland-best-not-to/