260 likes | 381 Views
Different policies, Different attitudes?. John Curtice Strathclyde University/NatCen. Key Question. Marked difference in approach to public service provision between England and Wales/Scotland. Choice/diversity of provision Co-Payment Does difference reflect differences in public attitudes?
E N D
Different policies, Different attitudes? John Curtice Strathclyde University/NatCen
Key Question • Marked difference in approach to public service provision between England and Wales/Scotland. • Choice/diversity of provision • Co-Payment • Does difference reflect differences in public attitudes? • Or is difference created by devolution?
Evidence • Surveys of public opinion in all four parts of the UK in 2007 • British Social Attitudes (2,022; 1,735 in E) • Scottish Social Attitudes (1,508) • Northern Ireland Life & Times (1,179) • Special Welsh survey (884)
A Common Presumption • Wales/Scotland more left-wing than England. • So less likely to favour private provision, co-payment and, perhaps, choice. • But do attitudes fit a left-right framework?
The arguments - 1 • Choice • Exercised more effectively by middle class • Promoting it means working class choose too • Diversity • Private profit at taxpayers’ expense • Essential if choice to be effective
The arguments - 2 • Co-Payment • Ensure nobody denied service because of inability to pay • Free service is subsidy to the middle class • Do contradictory arguments mean politics matters?
Conclusion • Differences of attitude generally less than differences of policy • Such differences as exist not a result of more ‘left-wing’ values in Wales/Scotland • Attitudes not structured as often assumed • Differences of policy do reflect differences in party competition - generated by devolution