Party Patronage, Governance and Reform
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Politics
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Publications
Bache I
(2014)
Blame Games and Climate Change: Accountability, Multi-Level Governance and Carbon Management
in The British Journal of Politics and International Relations
DOMMETT K
(2014)
Did they 'Read Before Burning'? The Coalition and Quangos
in The Political Quarterly
Dommett K
(2015)
The politics of quangocide
in Policy & Politics
Flinders
(2012)
Defending Politics: Why Democracy Matters in the 21st Century
Flinders M
(2011)
Are Public Bodies Still 'Male, Pale and Stale'? Examining Diversity in UK Public Appointments 1997-2010
in Politics
Flinders M
(2012)
Party Patronage and Party Government in European Democracies
Flinders M
(2011)
The problem of letting go: The 'Big Society', accountable governance and 'the curse of the decentralizing minister'
in Local Economy: The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit
Flinders M
(2012)
Shrinking the quango state: five challenges in reforming quangos
in Public Money & Management
Flinders M
(2011)
Mind the Gap: Political Analysis, Public Expectations and the Parliamentary Decline Thesis
in The British Journal of Politics and International Relations
| Description | This project discovered and made clear the previously opaque processes through which ministers make appointments to arm's-length bodies. This helped to cultivate a public debate and helped strengthen legislative scrutiny frameworks. It also led to a number of book chapters and articles that have challenged dominant assumptions and have helped to promote further research and inquiry. |
| Exploitation Route | The findings could play a key role in supporting the public understanding of politics and also in underpinning attempts to increase diversity within public appointments. |
| Sectors | Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Description | They have been used be research users to strengthen forms of parliamentary scrutiny of ministerial appointments. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
| Sector | Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Description | Appointed specialist adviser to the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee inquiry "The Accountability of Public Bodies" |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | I was appointed as the sole specialist adviser to the Public Administration Select Committee's inquiry into the accountability of public bodies. The Government adopted many of the recommendations, leading to an improvement in the regulatory framework for public appointments. |
| Description | Expert adviser to the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and First Civil Service Commissioner |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Clear correllation between the research-based submission of evidence and the eventual outcome of the review. This involved a significant recalibration of the regulatory framework for public appointments. |
| Description | Invited submission of evidence to HM Treasury's review document 'reforming arm's length bodies' |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Research outputs delivered into the heart of the government's policy-making process. |
| Description | Invited submission of evidence to the Committee on Standards in Public Life's inquiry into MPs outside interests |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Led to a tightening of the regulatory regime |
| URL | https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/7216... |
| Description | Invited submission of evidence to the Department of Justice as part of its review of the judicial appointments process in the state of Victoria, Australia, August 2010 |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Research based analysis of policy-change options from a comparative perspective. |
| Description | Invited submission of evidence to the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and First Civil Service Commissioner, August 2011 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Major submission as part of the formal review of the regulatory framework for public appointments that took place during 2011. This provided an opportunity to feed the results of this project directly into the main regulatory body. |
| Description | Invited submission to the Cabinet Office's review of the Public Appointments system under the Chairmanship of Sir Gerry Grimstone |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | While the review is still in process, it has made an early recommendation to split the roles of First Civil Service Commissioner and Commissioner for Public Appointments - as I recommended in my evidence. This will result in a substantial improvement to the regulation of public appointments. |
| Description | Invited submission to the Committee on Standards in Public Life review of the Public Appointments system |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Presented research on patronage and public appointments to inform the regulatory work of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. |
| Description | Invited submission to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee's inquiry into 'Better Public Appointments |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Led to change in regulatory framework for public appointments |
| URL | https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmpubadm/495/49502.htm |
| Description | Special adviser to the Government of Thailand |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Direct evidence to the government of Thailand and lecture to the Senate. This led to a delegation of senators visiting the UK to learn more about our system for public appointments. Thailand is now in the process of implementing UK-based measures. |
| Description | Written and Oral evidence to the to the House of Lords Liaison Committee Review of Investigative and Scrutiny Committees |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| URL | http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/liaison-committee-l... |
| Description | Practitioner guidance notes |
| Organisation | Institute for Government |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | A set of four guidance notes written in association with this project and published by the Institute for Government that were circulated throughout Whitehall and Westminster. |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | A view from academia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An invited chapter in the official history of the Office oif the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Distributed across Whitehall and Westminster and to selected officials overseas. An accessible discussion of how the regulatory framework for public appointments evolved in the UK and also a discussion about the role of the media and academics in developing public understanding about politics and government. An accessible discussion of how the regulatory framework for public appointments evolved in the UK and also a discussion about the role of the media and academics in developing public understanding about politics and government. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Act smart : don't abolish, reform quangos |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Article in The Times 10 Dec. 2009, p.40. Quangos are not inherently 'bad' and a smarter state might try and get a more diverse range of individuals to serve on them. Quangos are not inherently 'bad' and a smarter state might try and get a more diverse range of individuals to serve on them. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| URL | http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/law/columnists/article2049619.ece?acs_cjd=true |
| Description | BBC Radio 4 'University Unchallenged', Writer and presenter. Focusing on viewpoint diversity within academe. Broadcast on 12 November 2018. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Massive listening figures and the programne triggered a global debate - as shown by the number of newspapers and magazines that picked up the story. [Subsequent featured in the 'Feedback' on 16 Nov. 2018. Follow-up coverage in The New Statesman, The Spectator, Chronicle of Higher Education, Spiked, The Guardian, Breitbart News, talkRadio, The Daily Wire, Bloomberg, The Weekly Standard, Open Culture, American Renaissance, Political Forum, News Planet, Reddit, Conservative News, San Francisco Daily Digest, ThinkLab] |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00013p7 |
| Description | Evidence cited in House of Commons Liaison Committee Report |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | The House of Commons Liaison Committee cited my evidence in its final report "Select Committee effectiveness, resources and powers" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmliaisn/697/697.pdf |
| Description | Hang those quangocrats...think again! |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Article in the Yorkshire Post about the reality of life as a ministerial appointee. November 2010 Most quangocrats work hard and receive no pay. Most quangocrats work hard and receive no pay. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Has the UK government handled its cull of quangos well? : no |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Debating point response published in Holyrood magazine, a fortnightly publication which is distributed to all Scottish parliamentarians, civil servants, Scottish Government agencies, political parties, local authority chief executives as well as individual departments within the councils, trade unions, health boards and trusts, educational organisations, voluntary organisations and non-governmental bodies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| URL | http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1poh0/HolyroodmagazineIssu/resources/75.htm |
| Description | In defence of politics : episode 1 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | This is the first of a three-part radio series presented from a personal viewpoint in which Professor Matthew Flinders challenges fashionable political cynicism and presents the case for defending politics. In this episode he explores the 'expectations gap' between the challenges an inconsistent and demanding public pose for politicians and what they can reasonably be expected to deliver. Interviewees include Tony Blair and John Bercow. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015fb6c |
| Description | In defence of politics : episode 2 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Second episode of a BBC Radio 4 series. Prof Matthew Flinders asks if politicians are unfairly treated by a negative and crisis-obsessed media, cynical satirists and drama that ignores the good in politics. Interviewees include Tony Blair, Boris Johnson, John Bercow, Ian Hislop, Hazel Blears, Alastair Campbell and David Baddiel. Matthew Flinders is Professor of Politics at Sheffield University. This is the second part of a series in which he presents his personal viewpoint, challenging political cynicism and defending the role of politics in our society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015fb6c |
| Description | In defence of politics : episode 3 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Third episode of radio series broadcast nationally on BBC Radio 4. Prof Matthew Flinders questions the drive to decry politics and exclude politicians from certain decisions. He explores the obstacles for those who might want a career in politics. And he argues that politics is a force for good. Interviewees include Tony Blair, Boris Johnson, John Bercow, John Redwood, William Waldegrave and Alastair Campbell. Matthew Flinders is Professor of Politics at Sheffield University. This is the third part of his series in which he presents his personal viewpoint challenging political cynicism and defending the role of politics in our society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015fb6c |
| Description | Invited submission to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee's inquiry into 'Better Public Appointments'. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Injection of research findings into policy-making and parliamentary scrutiny |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmpubadm/495/49502.htm |
| Description | Invited written evidence submission to House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | An invited submission of written evidence to the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee on governance, public bodies and civil service |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012 |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmpubadm/writev/goodgov/goodgov.pdf |
| Description | Invited written evidence submission to House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee inquiry into the Committee on Standards in Public Life |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Invited to submit evidence to the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee inquiry into the Committee on Standards in Public Life |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmpubadm/516/516vw.pdf |
| Description | Oral evidence cited in Public Administration Select Committee Report (UK) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Invited to give oral evidence to the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee inquiry into quango reform. My evidence was later cited in the Select Committee's final report "Smaller Government? Shrinking the quango state"; as the basis for the Committee's recommendation for regular statutory reviews of public bodies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012 |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmpubadm/537/537.pdf |
| Description | Oral evidence to the House of Commons Liaison Committee on select committee effectiveness |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Oral evidence given by Professor Matthew Flinders to the House of Commons, Liaison Committee on select committee effectiveness and powers, covering the issue of pre-appointment hearings for chairs of public bodies. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmliaisn/c1844-i/c184401.htm |
| Description | The smarter state needs smart appointments |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Article in The Guardian [Public Section], March 2010 Appointment Commissions need to find new ways of reaching out to under-represented elements of society. Appointment Commissions need to find new ways of reaching out to under-represented elements of society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Written evidence cited in House of Commons Treasury Select Committee Report |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Written evidence (invited submission) cited by Treasury Select Committee in its Fourth Report of Session 2010-2011 "Office of Budget Responsibility" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmtreasy/memo/385/wm/385wm.pdf |
| Description | Written evidence submitted by Matthew Flinders, Professor of parliamentary government & governance, University of Sheffield and Anika Gauja, lecturer in politics, University of Sydney |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Invited submission to the House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) inquiry into governance and accountability of ministers |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmpubadm/530/530vw.pdf |
| Description | Written evidence to the House of Commons Liaison Committee |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Invited written submission to House of Commons, Liaison Committee on the powers of Select Committees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmliaisn/writev/scp/scp.pdf |