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Three social justice tests for the next Prime Minister

By Philippa Stroud

A week ago the country voted by a narrow margin to leave the European Union and the Prime Minister announced shortly thereafter he would be resigning.  This set off a remarkable chain of political events and the country is still reeling from the impact.

They say a week is a long time in politics. This week has been longer than most! In a few weeks’ time we will know who will be leading our country and who will lead us through the crucial exit negotiations with the European Union.

The Centre for Social Justice was established with a vision to put social justice at the heart of British politics. Over 12 years we have worked tirelessly to put issues of poverty and social justice at the forefront of the political agenda and in the hands of our most senior politicians and decision makers. Issues such as making work pay through Universal Credit; stabilising family life; strong anti-trafficking laws and placing education at the heart of the prison system.

As social justice has become a greater priority, it is no coincidence that many of the Conservative leadership candidates have been keen to align with the social justice agenda as they set out their ambitions for Britain should they become Prime Minister.

Theresa May spoke of delivering a programme of serious social reform that truly works for everyone.  Stephen Crabb shared his belief in a society that provides fairer opportunities for all. And today Michael Gove spoke of the importance in enabling everyone to have the best start in life so they can reach their potential.

When Andrea Leadsom delivers her leadership bid speech I am sure she will demonstrate her long term commitment to the importance of early intervention, and Liam Fox to the importance of bringing about positive social reform.

We are offering all the leadership candidates a platform at the CSJ where they can articulate how they will respond to the 52% who voted out, reassure and support those who voted in and bring unity across a deeply divided electorate while negotiating the route out of the EU.

This delicate and complex process will need to be characterised by addressing the social challenges of the country; not just the economic ones.

Earlier in the year the Government set out its life chances strategy approach to tackling poverty, aimed at transforming the lives of the poorest in Britain with a focus on addressing the five pathways to poverty – family breakdown, worklessness, drug and alcohol addiction, serious personal debt and educational failure. Our report, Improving Life Chances, gives the Government new tools to deliver this important strategy.

As we establish ourselves as a country outside the European Union this life chances agenda remains vital and arguably even more relevant. We must not forget our most vulnerable during these negotiations, rather they must remain at the heart of the new government agenda.

We would urge the next Prime Minister to take up the baton of life chances as a way of ensuring everyone gets the best start in life and the opportunity and support to reach their potential.

The CSJ will be applying three social justice tests in particular for each candidate:

  • Do they genuinely understand and can they articulate the scale of the social challenges ahead of them?
  • Do the solutions they put forward genuinely match the scale of the challenges Britain is facing?
  • Are they prepared to be accountable in properly measuring their progress on these issues by introducing new social metrics?

These three tests, crucial for genuine progress, are ones the previous administration attempted but had not yet achieved.

Now more than ever we need a leader that understands the country, understands the needs of the British people, especially our most vulnerable, and is not afraid to do what needs to be done and measure progress accurately and effectively.

CSJ Report: Improving Life Chances