Political Implications for David Cameron - Essay Example

? Are there any political implications for David Cameron, in regards to the current welfare reform policy? Are there any political implications for David Cameron, in regards to the current welfare reform policy? Introduction This project will examine if there are any political implications for David Cameron regarding the current welfare reform policy. This topic is worth studying because research depicts that there are some political implications regarding the current welfare policies. For example, it is evident that David Cameron contributed to the implementation of ideas that helped in cutting the welfare budget. His contributions to the current welfare policies are evident in the linking of benefits to wages, which have helped to cut inflation. David Cameron might have influenced the welfare reform policy when he implemented the twenty thousand dollars a year cap to help in housing benefits. Suggestions made by Cameron concerning young people not being entitled to benefits until they pay their contributions, might have contributed to the current welfare reform policies. However, there were some individuals who were against the opinion (Blond, 2009). Some of the reasons as to why this research topic is worth studying are evident from some of the claims that were made by Cameron concerning the welfare reform policy. For example, one of the claims by Cameron is evident from his statements when he claimed that claimants were supposed to undertake work in return for the benefits they had obtained within six months of unemployment. In his attempt to implement the welfare policy, Cameron also argued that individuals, who were on the sickness benefit, were supposed find ways of improving their health to cut on the government’s expenditure. However, such proposals lead to debates from the public. There are also suggestions that were made by Cameron regarding the welfare reform policy that are thought to have had political implications. For example, his defense for single mothers who had young children aged three years old. He suggested that such mothers were supposed to prepare their CVs to help them obtain income support (Cameron, 2010). There might have been political implications for David Cameron regarding the current reform policy as evident in his proposal. When he suggested that housing benefits be removed for persons under the age of 25 years. He also suggested that the issue of regional benefits be examined to fit the cost of living. It is thought that some of these proposals that were made by Cameron might have been a representation of his political shift in the management of the coalition. This is because sources indicate that Cameron did acknowledge that some of the proposals he made could not be delivered in concert with the liberal democrats. Cameron also stated that some of the proposals that were made had to wait for a conservative majority of the government until the year 2015. Cameron might have had political implications because he stated that his intentions were to set out the country for the next election (Daguerre, 2005). Research suggests that Cameron might have had political implications, because of reactions that were obtained from other politicians like Danny Alexander. Who claimed that to ensure the welfare reform policy is implemented, focus should be placed on the introduction of universal credit. This research question is worth studying because it is evident that arguments have been arising concerning the implementation of the welfare reform policy. Cameron insists that other politicians should not use compassion to measure the size of the welfare cheque. Young people aged 25 years also think that Cameron was against their development when he advocated for a stop in their housing benefits. Other politicians also argued that implementing the welfare reform policy by cutting the tax credits was wrong (Davies, 2007). Academic research carried out on the topic reveals that there were political implications of the welfare reform policy. This is because some of the sources argue that when William Beveridge left office he had shaped the welfare state. The sources illustrate that the some of the benefits of the welfare reform policy that was created by Sir William included the creation of safety net. Sources indicate that Cameron had political implications regarding the welfare reform policy since the government has been accused of reaping the net apart. However, there are also sources that indicate that were no political implications on the welfare reform policy by David Cameron. This is because those in the coalition state that the reforms are essential in cutting the expenditure and incentivizing work (Evans, 2008). Methodology The method that will be used in conducting this research will involve the use of questionnaires to carry out interviews. Questionnaires tend to be appropriate in conducting such research because they enhance an easy and fair analysis of the research. Closed questionnaires for instance will be used in this research because they enhance easy comparisons. When such questionnaires are used to conduct the research participants, may not fear to disclose any information regarding the research. This method has also proved to be advantageous because large amounts of information can be collected within a short period. The process that will be used in administering the method will be the use of questions, after which the participants will be expected to give their opinions. Some of the practical issues that accompany the use of closed questionnaires in carrying out such research is because the participants normally have the freedom of expressing their views regarding a given situation (Evans, 2010). The public will be interviewed on their opinions as to whether there are any political implications for Cameron concerning the welfare reform policy. The interviews will be done using questionnaires. The use of questionnaires in carrying out the interviews is essential ensuring members of the public give their opinions concerning the welfare reform policies by David Cameron. This method is efficient in that the members of the public will be in a position to give their opinions without influence from any one. This method seems to be the best in carrying out such a research because it ensures those being interviewed have the freedom of expression. This method ensures sufficient information is obtained as the participants may not fear to express themselves. This is because, in the questionnaires, the participants were not required to give their identities (Evans, 2010). Examinations of some of the questions that will be asked in the questionnaires are as follows. 1. What benefits will accompany the proposals put in place by David Cameron concerning the welfare reform policy? This question is essential in carrying out research in that the views of the participants concerning Cameron’s opinions were obtained. From the suggestions of the participants, it would be easy to determine whether the participants think that Cameron had political implications concerning the welfare reform policy. For example, if a participant states that David Cameron had no political implications from his proposal on the welfare reform policy. The participant can support his claim using Cameron’s proposal, which helped in, ensuring food camps are created for families that were caught by the whammy of benefit cuts. The participants will also support Cameron’s proposal by stating whether it helped falter the economy that was struggling with job scarcity. Positive responses received from this question will help determine if the participants think there are political implications that accompanied Cameron’s proposal. For example, if a participant states that the reforms are essential since the welfare is only a third of the government’s budget proves that there are no political implications accompanying the reforms. If a participant states that it is essential that the benefits are cut to improve the welfare of the citizens, then it means that the participant does not think there are any political implications accompanying the reforms. However, participants may also think that there are political implications, and this will be accompanied by responses against the welfare reform policies that were proposed by Cameron. For example responses such as, it is unfair that fifty percent tax is deducted from the salaries of high earners mean that the participants are against the reforms (Fitzpatrick, 2005). 2. What are some of the political implications that will accompany the implementation of the welfare reform policy? This question will help determine if the welfare reform policy is a social policy that was used by the coalition government. Statements illustrating that there are no benefits associated with the welfare reform policy show that there are political implications associated with the welfare reforms. From the interviews, it will be easy to determine if the welfare reforms are camouflaged as practical policies. Claims that the reforms were crude ideologies that were based on cynical forms of social psychology will mean that the participants think that there are political implications towards the reforms. When responding to this question, views of the participants as to the reforms would foster loathing, public fear and ignorance will also be examined. If the participants claim that Cameron being an architect of the welfare reform policies has political intentions of obtaining public support will be used to detect if there are political implications. This will mean the reforms incorporate some proposals, which were meant to confuse members of the public despite the restrictions, the harsh cuts and the tests that they imposed on members of the public (Grover, 2009). 3. What are some of the features incorporated in the welfare reform policy that associate them with politics? This question will be used to evaluate if the proposals were placed to ensure the reformers obtain public consensus. Some of the features that will determine if there are political implications concerning the welfare reform policies include; the incorporation of family problems. The other feature that will be examined includes allocating help to irresponsible teenage mothers, and people who suffer from long-term sickness. For example, it is thought that if the reforms will target individuals with long-term health problems and families that use social care facilities then it will mean that there are no political implications (Long, 2009). Data analysis The data from the interviews will determine whether there are political implications associated with the implementation of the welfare reform policies. However, if the participants claim that there are no political implications associated with the implementation of the welfare reform policy then this will be detected from the responses. The data will be analyzed based on the responses received from these three questions (Quinn, 2008). Conclusions In conclusion, despite the arguments arising regarding the current welfare reform policies by David Cameron, members of the public are likely to obtain some benefits. These include the inclusion of personal independence payments, disability living allowances, industrial injuries benefits and war pension on widows and widowers. Despite the many arguments that arise concerning the political implications of the welfare reform policies by Cameron, future research should be carried out. Some of the limitations that may accompany this research are that the research may not provide enough evidence of the research topic. The interviews will also need to be carried out among many members of the public to ensure enough evidence of the information obtained. This means that conducting the research will be a bit hectic. In future, many participants will need to be interviewed to improve the credibility of the information (Theodore, 2007). Works cited Blond, P. (2009). “David Cameron’s philosopher king explains how his party will help those betrayed by Labour”, The Daily Mail. Cameron, D. (2010). “Social Responsibility is the essence of liberal conservatism. This is the Britain we want to build”, pp. 275-298, in Jones, D. (4th ed.) Cameron on Cameron: conversations with Dylan Jones, Fourth Estate, London. Crisp, R. Macmillan, R. Robinson, D. And Wells, P. (2009): “Continuity or Change: what a future Conservative government might mean for regional, housing and welfare policies”, pp. 58-74, People, Place & Policy Online. Daguerre, A. (2005): “Importing Workfare: Policy Transfer of Social and Labour Market policies from the USA to Britain under New Labour”. pp. 41-56, Social Policy & Administration, Vo. 38, No. 1 Davies, S. (2007). “Contracting out employment services to the third and private sectors: a critique”, pp136-164, Critical Social Policy, Vol. 38 (2) Dwyer, P. (2008). “The conditional welfare state”, pp. 199-218, in Powell, M. (ed.) Modernizing the Welfare State: The Blair Legacy, The Policy Press, Bristol Evans, S. (2008). “Consigning its Past to History? David Cameron and the Conservative Party”, pp. 291-314, Parliamentary Affairs, Vol. 61, No. 2 Evans, S. (2010). “Mother’s Boy”: David Cameron and Margaret Thatcher, British Journal of Politics and International Relations Fitzpatrick, T. (2005): “The fourth attempt to construct a politics of welfare obligations”, pp. 15-32, Policy & Politics, Vol. 33 No. 1 Grover, C. (2009): “Privatizing employment services in Britain,” pp. 487-509, Critical Social Policy, Vol. 29 (3) Long, C. (2009): “The Red under David Cameron’s bed”, The Sunday Times Quinn, T. (2008): “The Conservative Party and the “Centre Ground” of British Politics”, pp. 179-199, Journal of Elections, Public Opinions and Parties, Vol. 18, No. 2 Theodore, N. (2007). “New Labour at work: long term unemployment and the geography of opportunity”, pp. 927-939, Cambridge Journal of Economics, 31 (6) Read More