The RSA Blog

The biggest deficit - leadership

Blog

03 Dec 2014

Matthew Taylor

George Osborne’s autumn statement appears to be is a sophisticated package; written to maximise advantage to the Conservatives with a strong ideological undertow, but also containing a popular top line policy - on stamp duty - that has already commanded cross-party support.

And the winner of the nostalgia contest is...

Blog

21 Nov 2014

Matthew Taylor

Of the many unflattering comments I received on school reports one of the most memorable was: ‘O Levels are for the mediocre and accordingly he passed’. An echoing phrase came to mind when listening to the coverage of yesterday’s by-election: ‘politics is for those seeking to recreate the past, accordingly UKIP won’.

It’s their party and I’ll cry if I want to

Blog

14 Oct 2014

Matthew Taylor

Two articles in today’s newspapers are a reminder of the unreconstructed state of our political parties….

Britain is facing a crisis of democracy but the main parties cannot respond

Blog

11 Oct 2014

Britain is in the early stages of a crisis of democracy. Westminster has been shielded from the full consequences of voter disaffection by the fact that the anger has remained unfocused and unorganised for many years. But this is changing. The independence referendum and now a resurgent SNP is giving voice to anti-Westminster feeling in Scotland. In England, it is finding its voice through UKIP.

Clegg and the meaning of my life

Blog

09 Oct 2014

Matthew Taylor

Whatever my own increasingly non-aligned sympathies, I can't helping wanting political strategy to make a difference....

Clegg - when candour is the only choice

Blog

02 Oct 2014

Matthew Taylor

Over the years I have written often on this site about leadership. With, arguably, little regard for realism I have from time to time urged politicians to be more authentic and honest. Now perhaps for one leader the clever thing is also the right thing.

The role of men in supporting women into leadership

Blog

02 Oct 2014

This blog was originally posted on the College of Arts & Humanities, University of Brighton, blog. Read the original post. This comes in advance of next week's event run by RSA Brighton and Hove. Find out more or and book your place at the event.

In search of a world view

Blog

23 Sep 2014

Matthew Taylor

Although as the designated member of the Downing Street inner circle I once held what was arguably the most senior political strategy position in the UK - I suspect I'm not actually very good at it. On the one hand, I tend to be too rational, focussed on the head and not enough on the emotions. On the other, I am too idealistic, tending to confuse what I wish would engage the public with what actually does.

The nature of the present crisis

Blog

09 Sep 2014

Matthew Taylor

As my colleague Adam Lent has argued, whether the result is disaster or near death experience for the UK the way the Scottish referendum campaign has unfolded is the most powerful indication yet of the enfeeblement of the Westminster political elite. Other consequential possibilities for humiliation loom large, including a strong showing for UKIP at the next General Election and a vote to leave the European Union. Whatever the virtues of Scottish independence, Mr Farage and national sovereignty there is no doubt each cause benefits hugely from our loss of faith in an establishment which has in one form or another held sway since the emergence of modern Parliamentary democracy in the mid nineteenth century.