The Failure of Reformism

The board of the government's Social Mobility Commission has stood down in protest at the lack of progress towards a "fairer Britain".

Milburn told the Observer: "The worst position in politics is to set out a proposition that you're going to heal social divisions and then do nothing about it. It's almost better never to say you'll do anything about it...

"In America for 30 years real average earnings have remained flat. Now here the Chancellor is predicting that will last for 20 years.

"That has a consequence for people, but a political consequence as well. It means more anger, more resentment and creates a breeding ground for populism."