Simon Heffer's Op-ed in the Telegraph today is on "The fear of ideas" in which he states that whatever you think of the Thatcher government, they did not fear new political thinking. Nothing was ruled out until it had been fully debated and focus grouped.  They certainly did not lack for political "ideologues" in the Thatcher first and second term.
 Unfortunately the term "Ideologue" has fallen into disrepute.  Political orthodoxy and vested interest have stifled ideas. This has always been the curse of third term Government's. Currently the various think-tanks of both left and right have dried up. Even the Opus Dave's Conservatives still lack any really new ideas other than aping George Bush's pre second term tax cutting rhetoric.  Fresh ideas are necessary to drive Labour forward into the 4th term. Political blogs, members websites, as well as think-tanks and constructive criticism all are need for the propagation of ideas. (some will be good, some bad) The best of these ideas will undoubtedly form the basis of future party and then subsequently government policy. Let us as a party be courageous and have ideas.let's bring the term "Ideologue" back from the political graveyard....

Do you get the idea?

The simon Heffer link
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml;jsessionid=M0VKSQECWCI4PQFIQMFCFGGAVCBQYIV0?xml=/opini on/2006/10/25/do2501.xml