I was in government as a policy analyst in just this area when these changes were happening, and fulsome promises of just such a third way were made endlessly a

I was in government as a policy analyst in just this area when these changes were happening, and fulsome promises of just such a third way were made endlessly at the time. I knew perfectly well even then that these promises were just hot air, because it was conservative governments were closing institutions, merely to save money and reduce taxes. But people elect whoever is willing to provide them with the lies that excuse the voter's most preferred (cruel-but-cheap) options.