No doubt the market ethic could improve the competitive efficiency of our hospitals. But if I need a major operation I am by no means certain that I want its provision to be governed by the rules of good commercial practice. If we operated our schools on the principles that govern private enterprise we would not waste much money on the education of slow learners from deprived homes. All it has achieved is the acceptance that prison is about pandering to public prejudice at the lowest possible short-term cost. Friendly critics must not fall into the government's error.
Policies have to be measured against principles.