SCA Group

The General Election campaign 2010 has begun....... only to be slightly delayed by the recurring expenses row which seems (temporarily) united Tory and Labour backbenchers. However, a few sessions of Prime Minister's questions will bring them back to tribal loyalty.

Despite a brave attempt to resurrect support for his approach to the economic situation, Mr Brown has been dragged down by his gardening and cleaning bills and his bright idea of an external audit of MPs' past expense claims.  Although ‘bad luck' does seem to dog him, Mr Brown gives a good imitation of a 21st Century ‘Jonah'.  All may not be lost; the government's credibility now rests on an intelligent and forceful Pre-Budget statement.

Mr Cameron, despite brushes with matters military and Boris Johnson, came smiling and kissing, out of the week.  In time he must surely deal with his lightweight Shadow Chancellor, especially with ‘big beasts' like Ken Clarke and Oliver Letwin lurking in the undergrowth.  As many of the former ministers start to appear by the young leader's side, credibiility is simultaneously given.

The Liberal Democrats await the level playing field of media exposure granted by the General Election proper.  Those MPs sitting with Tories in second place must be very anxious and deeply regretting the absence of ‘clear blue water' which Charles Kennedy used to magically identify when leader.

All parties agree on the need to reduced public expenditure substantially over the next five years. Each dresses it up in its own way with coded phrases. Most omit the small word ‘ HOW'.  The response of social enterprises to this must be to promote cost effective ways of involving more citizens in the provision of a wide range of services.  In education, health and social services, there is a huge range of opportunies.  As a sector, we need to think, plan and provide credible templates of services for the future.  Our Institute hopes to make a substantial contribution to the debate.

Brian L. Strevens

We will endeavour to update this blog on a weekly basis.  Contributers Brian Strevens (Director of the Institute) and Francis Davis (Director of Policy) plan to submit their blogs on alternate weeks.

Article from The Guardian, (Iain Cathcart, Tue 6/10/09) - click here to read

Global Entrepreneurship Week takes place from 16 - 22 November 2009.

It's a worldwide movement of entrepreneurial people, with millions unleashing their
enterprising talents and turning their ideas into reality. Find out more

This year, Social Enterprise Day falls on 19 November. 

Social Enterprise Day is a fantastic opportunity for individual social enterprises to engage with their local communities and a way for us all to raise awareness of social enterprise.  To read more about Social Enterprise Day on Social Enterprise Coalition website, click here