Iain Duncan Smith has made two notable media appearances today and his comments will
reveal how the government’s plan to fight gangs and lawlessness will unfold. He has just told Sky News that cuts to local youth programmes should be revisited. If the government reverses some of
these decisions, it might satisfy the need for a positive policy angle, as described by James
earlier. On the other hand, some Tories voice private concerns about reversing spending decisions, fearing that it would play into the Harmanite school of thought that cuts are to blame in part.
Youth schemes and work are IDS’ inclusive carrot, but he also wields a coercive stick. He has already vowed to make life “hell” for gang members and, during an interview on this morning’s Today programme, he insisted that there will also be no escape from justice for those people blessed with power and wealth.
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