"I'm delighted to be here today. I want to start by congratulating Stephan Shakespeare for his commitment to the idea that we're all here to discuss today and his fantastic drive and entrepreneurial spirit not just in setting up this network...
...but for his many and varied contributions to politics and public life. Stephan has always been an astute observer of social trends and where political thinking is heading - and this network is proof of that.
I've been speaking about the post-bureaucratic age - and its potential for transforming our lives - for a couple of years now.
I know it's not the most catchy of phrases.
But it really does mean something - and something very exciting.
Everyone knows we face big economic, social and environmental problems.
Everyone can see that the old, top down, big government solutions aren't working.
So it shouldn't be too hard to convince people that a completely new approach to solving these problems is necessary.
And with the huge changes that are taking place in terms of information and technology and know how, it shouldn't be too hard to convince people that such a new approach is possible.
This is exciting for the centre right because it is all about people power, not big government.
And it also shows us how we can increase our wealth and wellbeing without spending more money.
Today, I want to take this opportunity to correct what I think is a fundamental misunderstanding about the post-bureaucratic age...
...and explain how this agenda can help us achieve the wider Conservative vision for our society."
|