It will cost too many lives. It is too much to hope for an end to the spectacle of sheepish Ministers mixing with high-profile artists and performers. A more achievable task for those running Culture in a strengthened department under Tessa Jowell would be the clarification of the Government's approach to arts funding. The word 'access' should be banned. It has become a stick to beat so-called 'elitism' by those who don't want art to be 'difficult'.
Real access is achieved by giving children the tools to understand culture while they are in school.
Then they can choose for themselves. The principle of free museum entrance established in Labour's first term must be followed by cheaper ticket prices in the subsidised theatre sector and longer opening hours for more libraries. Britain's creative industries make us money, but they are not solely vehicles for regeneration. Demoralised, overworked and underpaid, they have waited long enough for a reversal in the profession's fortunes. So no more excuses or finger-pointing at the Conservative past, no figure fiddling and no more expecting morale to improve all by itself.