Cameron pledges to cut the Quangos
Updated on 06 July 2009
The Conservatives have pledged to cut the number of unelected quangos in "a massive shift in power from bureaucracy to democracy".
In a speech, David Cameron promised a review of every publicly-funded independent body in a bid to save money and increase accountability.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liam Byrne said at the weekend that he had also ordered a detailed review of quangos in a bid to "make sure every penny of public money goes to front-line services".
The Tories said the move was laughable as the number of quangos - or quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations - had risen dramatically since Labour came to power in 1997.
Mr Cameron said: "This growth in the number of quangos, and in the scope of their influence, raises important questions for our democracy and politics.
"Too many state actions, services and decisions are carried out by people who cannot be voted out by the public, by organisations that feel no pressure to answer for what happens - in a way that is completely unaccountable."
He added: "Right now, my shadow cabinet is reviewing every independent public body that exists in their department. They are looking to see if they perform a technical, fairness or transparency function.
"At its heart is a massive shift in power from bureaucracy to democracy, unaccountability to accountability, elites to people from quangos to you."
Reform director Andrew Haldenby said: "Quangos are the worst kind of government, existing in a 'twilight zone', untouchable by electors or the market. They provide cover for unpopular decisions. They provide a quick way to circumvent existing government structures that aren't working.
"Politicians have to be brave and jettison the quango comfort blanket."
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