Abstract
This article analyzes the changing meanings of ‘partnership’ in the UK, and how it has been used in public policy. In the UK, prior to the recent trends of local governance and network governance, the concept of ‘partnership’ had already existed in different guises since the 1970s. With respect to policy development, the meaning of ‘partnership’ has shifted in parallel with institutional changes to central-local relations and public sector provisions. This article locates the partnership policy of the New Labour government within this historical perspective, and explains how it differs from previous cases. In particular, this article studies the relationship between central-local government relations and the involvement of the voluntary sector in public service provisions. The latter part of this article focuses on post-1997 partnership policies, especially of the ‘Compact’ and ‘local strategic partnerships’, and how ‘local compacts’ are related to the partnership schemes. In conclusion, it is suggested that integrating public service provisions and developing principles for local partnerships would constitute a comprehensive partnership.
