New Statesman -

How ministers became soap stars

Stephen Byers — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 12:00:00 GMT

Reflecting on the book that is causing a political storm, Stephen Byers praises its author and calls on public servants past and present to debate ideas in the open

The media coverage of The Blunkett Tapes has concentrated on the high drama of feuds, splits and resignations. In doing so, it fails to reflect the fact that, with 850-plus pages, David Blunkett gives us a very accurate account of what it is like to be a cabinet minister in our modern world.

I worked closely with David through many of the years covered in the book, and shared with [...]

Move Labour leftwards

Stephen Byers — Mon, 20 Oct 2003 12:00:00 GMT

The government needs to define what it is for, instead of just telling us what it is against, argues Stephen Byers

When he travelled back from Labour's conference in Bournemouth last month, Tony Blair had good grounds to be cheerful. Given the events of the past 12 months, the conference was always going to focus on his leadership. He used the occasion to assert his authority and strengthen his position.

But now, as parliament returns, big political questions have to be answered: about the direction in which he intends to take [...]

We need our bolshie members

Stephen Byers — Mon, 20 Jan 2003 12:00:00 GMT

Stephen Byers demands new ways of making the voices of Labour's rank and file heard in Whitehall

I listened carefully to the Labour Party member. "I don't know why I stay in the party," he said. "No one seems to be listening and my views are simply ignored." Another said: "It's all become too top-down, with ordinary members ignored. Millbank decides the line and we're all expected to follow it. That's not what I joined the party to do."

These are just some of the comments made [...]