Is this the most radical Government since Attlee?

Possibly. Everyone who thought that coalition Governments would mean a managerial administration must be astounded by the reforming change that has been born out of the first ten weeks of this Government.

Look at this list of major reforms:

- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Free Schools
- NHS GP fund-holding
- Welfare reform
- Voting reform

These are big areas where the previous Government tinkered but didn't bite the bullet until it was too late. I'm feeling very enthusiastic this morning to Iain Duncan Smith's ideas about welfare reform. Here's a man who was roundly made to look a fool by his party when he was leader, but came back with radical ideas for reform.

I really like the idea of a simple benefit which tapers as the recipient earns more. If the taper occurs at such a rate so that as the recipient earns more they still take greater money home after tax then it will be a fantastic result.

At the moment our benefits system makes it seem more worthwhile to stay on benefits than go out to work. How often do you hear "If I went to work I'd lose most of my benefits and would be worse off"? Many times, and although you'd hope that self-respect would make people want to work - the extra cash is a much bigger incentive!

It does need radical change, and IDS is the man to do it. Let's hope that the bean counters don't get in his way too much on this set of changes.

Squiffy.