A collection of three conversations between artists and public servants.Intended to inspire public servants of all kinds to reconnect fearlessly with their fundamental humanity, the three conversations in Art, Imagination and Public Service present a way of thinking about imaginative, compassionate, and intelligent public service. The book consists of three dialogues: between former UK Home Secretary David Blunkett and poet Micheal O’Siadhail, former UK Su...

This book brings together leading figures in democratic reform and civic engagement to show why and how better state-citizen cooperation is necessary for achieving positive social change. Their contributions demonstrate that, while protest and non-state action may have their place, citizens must also work effectively with public bodies to secure sustainable improvements.The authors explain why the problem of civic disengagement poses a major threat, highlight what actions can be ta...

As the elected police and crime commissioner for South Yorkshire, Alan Billings was in a unique position to witness how the criminal justice system worked for victims of crime.When Covid struck and the country went into lockdown, he began to publish a weekly diary chronicling how the police struggled to understand fast-changing government instructions and enforce the law without losing public trust. He saw the impact of the pandemic on crime and its victims and all criminal justice...