A 30-minute news programme, hosted by Richard Whiteley and Geoff Druett. The first segment sees a featurette filmed in and across Bradford, exploring the implications of a new Conservate proposal to cut jobs and privatise public services. Max Madden MP and Timothy Kirkhope MP feature to discuss the policy. The second segment features Peter Riddell of the Financial times, providing a valedictory view of Westminster and potential upcoming problems of the government. Section three is the...

A 30-minute news programme, hosted by Richard Whiteley and Geoff Druett. The first segment sees a featurette filmed in and across Bradford, exploring the implications of a new Conservate proposal to cut jobs and privatise public services. Max Madden MP and Timothy Kirkhope MP feature to discuss the policy. The second segment features Peter Riddell of the Financial times, providing a valedictory view of Westminster and potential upcoming problems of the government. Section three is the Westminster Diary, which explores what is happening in Parliament currently; this features new ideas surrounding privatization and barrister’s fees. Finally, Calendar Cabinet sees an MP act as a hypothetical cabinet minister and propose their ideas; Richard Caborn MP features in this segment. In Bradford, 90 councillors will meet to decide whether to pass proposals put forward by the new ruling Conservatives; these include job losses, privatising services, selling off city assets and increasing charges for school meals. The wider implications of these proposals are discussed in footage in and around Bradford, with a voiceover report by Charlotte Milligan. Interviews with multiple councillors from Bradford. Cllr Eric Pickles of the Conservatives says there is the prospect of rate capping next year if changes aren’t made. Job cuts in administration protect from cuts in teaching and social services. Cllr Phil Beeley of Labour is concerned about the old and the young, the positions people will be placed in due to these changes and the quality of life that will change. Cllr John Wells of the Democrats is concerned with the extent of the rising prices of school meals and car parks; believes that these could damage the economic stability of Bradford and create consumer resistance. It is unsure how many jobs are at stake. Proposal to privatise care homes has been the most radical with the people in Bradford. Action Group for the Elderly conducting a public referendum. Video footage shows the public voting set-up by the group, and voters share their opinions on this. Max Madden MP and Timothy Kirkhope MP debate in the studio on the proposals. Kirkhope believes this will be a good and important experience after a period of spendthrift policy. Madden believes Bradford Tories have no electoral mandate for these policies, and implores them to give the people a voting opportunity. Peter Riddell features in the second segment to share a valedictory view of Westminster. Mian events mentioned are governmental plan to freeze child benefits and implement privatisations of industry. Riddell believes the economy will cause the biggest issue here, with a change in interest rates and living standards that could be reflected in child benefits; a tightening in living standards will cause a problem. Problems over electricity and water privatisation are relevant also, with water relating to environmental concerns, and electricity having an effect on the coal industry and nuclear power. Thatcher’s attempts to create a moral basis for the policies will still be seen, but people will first and foremost be swayed to vote based on their finances. Riddell discusses Neil Kinnock and his policy reviews; he describes slow movement for him, and obstacles such as problems with discipline in the party. Westminster Diary section discusses what is happening in Parliament at this time. Conal Gregory MP of York wants to go further with privatisation proposals, extending to informational offices in constituencies with tourist attractions. He believes this is beneficial in a commercial sense, and will create further response and more flexible times for tourists. Barristers’ fees are the subject of a private members bill by Quentin Davis MP. He believes the costs of hiring lawyers deters people from turning to them, and proposes a ‘no win, no fee’ system. Lawyers will then accept cases based on a contingency fee. Dennis Skinner MP as the new chairman of Labour’s National Executive committee. He shows no intimidation to his new role, and assures that, as people in Yorkshire region will not want him to change his views based on the job, he will uphold this. The Calendar Cabinet segment sees an MP discuss what they would do if they were appointed as a cabinet minister; Richard Caborn MP features as the hypothetical Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. He promises to take responsibility for regional policy responsibility and repair the split in Britain as two nations. He will be shifting resources and money into the South-East, and into government contracts into industry; contracts where more than £8 billion is spent will be spread more evenly across the country. He wishes to create genuine regional economies, controlled and directed for a communal sense of identity, suggesting that if this is backed up with financial support and regional council management, this can create new ideas, industries, and jobs. Featuring RICHARD CABORN MP, TIMOTHY KIRKHOPE MP, MAX MADDEN MP, PETER RIDDELL Director BURT BUDIN Producer CHARLOTTE MILLIGAN Political Editors RICHARD WHITELEY, GEOFF DRUETT Executive Producer GRAHAM IRONSIDE Yorkshire TV Ltd. 1988 YORKSHIRE TELEVISON Production