Inspiring island
Singapore was one of the greatest legacies of the Empire and when British politicians are desperate for new policies they usually look first at this fabulous city state.
New Labour sought guidance on how to reform our failing welfare state but Gordon Brown quailed at the radical benefits overhaul needed by its social insurance model.
More recently, education ministers looked in vain for guidance from a nation whose 15-years-olds are two years ahead of ours in Maths and even a year ahead in English.
Others desperate to improve our moribund, monolithic NHS investigated its system of personal health accounts which produces better outcomes than ours for half the price.
Sadly, on my recent visit I concluded its success wholly depends on the pragmatism, realism and adaptability of its citizens and these are characteristics we lost long ago.
(Dr) John Cameron
Howard Place
St Andrews