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Re-thinking corruption in post- 1950 urban Britain: the Poulson affair, 1972–1976

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2012

PETER JONES
PETER JONES*
Affiliation:
Centre for Urban History, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
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Abstract:

The Poulson affair is central for the agenda of post-1950 British urban history. Particularly, it suggests that corruption is a key facet within the politics of planning and the rebuilding of Britain's urban environment. Poulson provides a useful route into an examination of the place of corruption because of the scale of his activity both in terms of volumes and types of constructions he planned. His networks and the geographical concentrations of his work also provide a regional dimension. Perceptions of Poulson have been fashioned by investigative and satirical journalism and television. A re-evaluation in light of official government sources and Poulson's autobiography raise important issues concerning the ethics of public officials and private businessmen; and the consequences of the interaction of public and private markets. Poulson's business was driven by the twin engines of government funding and the activity cycles of the construction industry. The fluctuation in his planned commissions provides a useful barometer of the planning environment. Poulson's demise exposed the complex relations between business, civil servants, ministers and local councillors contributing to growing public distrust of the workings of government. Finally, it is suggested that the affair was a critical factor in re-shaping central–local government relationships.

Type
Research Article
Information
Urban History , Volume 39 , Issue 3 , August 2012 , pp. 510 - 528
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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