South: Modern, fairer Britain?

Chrissy Sturt Researcher, Politics Show South

Have recycling targets been met?

In 1997, Labour promised to build a modern, fairer Britain.

This resounding pledge was novel territory for a left-wing party and helped capture several new seats in the South. But has the party kept its word?

The Politics Show examines Labour's modernising agenda in the South. Have public services really improved?

Is life any better for hard-working families?

Without tangible improvements, are Labour's seats in the South vulnerable at the next election?

Four months ago the Prime Minister confidently declared that the time was ripe for 'radical reform'.

Voicing his determination to reshape public services, he spoke boldly of the need for enterprise, initiative and innovation.

Sweeping policy change in all areas;

• crime
• asylum
• the NHS
• education.

This was to be the way ahead. In practice, this push means three things;

• accelerating the devolution of power away from Whitehall
• throwing open the public sector to the pressures of an open market
• slashing bureaucracy.

NHS is a big issue

Despite these measured tones, there is no doubt Labour's modernising agenda has raised hackles at Westminster and beyond.

Mr Blair has a battle on his hands, not least with health.

The party claims it is succeeding in delivering change in all policy areas.

Under its control the NHS has seen the biggest increase in spending in its history.

Since the election 55,000 extra nurses have been trained and 6,500 more consultants and 1,600 more GPs employed.

Labour also claims to have embarked on the biggest hospital building programme since 1945, and insists waiting times are down.

Ivor Caplin MP believes Labour's reforms have made major headway.

He said, "Before we could commit significant sums we had to correct 18 years of Tory underinvestment.

"But now we have good pay rates in the public sector, improving places of work, child tax credit and huge capital investment in schools.

"I'm not saying that everything is right, we have done a lot but now we need to reflect.

"There is more to do and we are determined to deliver."

Trade Union opposition?

Foundation Hospitals has become one of Labour's most persistently controversial ideas. Trade unionists are enraged.

We tracked down one militant unionist with a long track record in campaigning for a fairer NHS.

They are not New Labour, they're New Conservatives Bobby Noyes

Bobby Noyes is the branch chair of UNISON for Southampton and South East Hampshire.

She firmly believes those at the vanguard of New Labour have traduced the principles of socialism.

"They are not New Labour, they're New Conservatives,'' she told the Politics Show.

"There is no question that the government wishes to give the private sector a huge role.

New Labour has traduced the principles of socialism

"They are now the party of big business."

In 1982 she took part in strikes among hospital workers which swept the country. She joined marches and pickets in Southampton.

Politics Show examines archive footage shot more than 20 years ago, capturing the militancy, drama and chaos as the strikes engulfed the South.

Young Labour

We also speak to a new generation of Labour activists, and ask what they feel about modernisation.

Jessica Asato, 22, is vice chair of the Young Fabians and Young Labour, as well as researcher for the Social Market Foundation.

She believes the young wing of the party are generally supportive of the government's direction.

"I'm not hung up on the public sector always providing, as long as its free at the point of use," she told the Politics Show.

"Modernising the NHS is very important but I believe in the concept of an NHS where the patients don't have to pay."

The Politics Show

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And don't forget to watch the Politics Show, with presenter Peter Henley, on BBC One on Sundays at Noon.

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