Maverick thinker joins Cameron think-tank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 26, 2009 -- ResPublica is a new public policy think tank founded by Phillip Blond, the “red Tory”, known as David Cameron’s “Philosopher King”. ResPublica work on a variety of cutting edge research projects, such as examining how the UK can develop more innovative public services by empowering front-line professionals and their client communities.

John Seddon’s radical ideas for replacing targets and tick box exercises with ownership and responsibility were drawn on heavily in ResPublica’s first report, The Ownership State , which was launched by Phillip Blond and John Seddon at a Conservative Party Fringe event in October. The report describes how Seddon's ideas could be used to drive real change through the UK's public services.

The two thinkers share a dislike for top down structures, favouring a return of responsibility to the front line. The report describes how John Seddon’s 'systems thinking' is already driving real change in local authorities across the UK.

The appointment follows Seddon’s call earlier in the year for the local government watchdog, the Audit Commission to be abolished. Seddon argues that public sector managers should be free to choose both methods and measures. He argues that the savings made by getting rid of the inspections industry would save the costs of employing these people but (more significantly) save the cost of public sector managers complying with inappropriate policy ideas.

Phillip Blond is expected to draw on John Seddon’s work in the coming months to demonstrate how costs plummet and quality rises when managers respond to demand in their communities instead of demand from Government to meet targets, tick boxes and chase star ratings.