ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the 'Third Way' in social policy. The term is generally associated with the British academic Anthony Giddens and the New Labour government in Britain from 1997 to 2010, especially with Labour Prime Minister between 1997 and 2007, Tony Blair. It focuses on the British Labour government, and examines the content and evolution of Third Way social policy. The chapter also focuses on changes in rhetoric and policy content over time. The Third Way aims for inclusion rather than the old equality of outcome of the Old Left and inequality of the New Right. The British Third Way was a remarkable electoral success, but its influence in terms of lasting impact upon the British welfare state, influencing subsequent governments and governments in other countries remains far from clear. The British Labour government appeared to adopt more neoliberal characteristics, and it eventually ran out of ideas, steam and money as boom turned to bust in the financial crisis.
