Labour view the quangos as their hinterland in exile; with six-figure, three day-a-week sinecures for their failed politicians. This public-sector intensive care system keeps them in the game even when they are out of office, allowing them to wage a Gramscian war of position sniping at the likes of Gove. Index-linked gold-plated pensions, offices, expense accounts, staff, drivers and all the other accoutrements of a quangocrat. Typically they will also have a semi-private / public arts sinecure in their portfolio as well to provide canapés and a bit of glamour. It really is time for a Year Zero clear out of these placemen and placewomen from public life…