There is no shortage of evidence that the current system of local government could be improved: last year, an Audit Commission report criticised the committee system as an enormous waste of time and money.

ECONOMIST: Local government

According to a report this week from the Audit Commission, a public-spending watchdog, the introduction of a similar system in Australia resulted in a big productivity improvement.

ECONOMIST: National Health Service

Just as promptly, he needs to set up a land commission, produce an early audit of who owns the land and arrange a proper system of compensation, with help from Britain, for those who have lost it.

ECONOMIST: Zimbabwe