In anticipation of CONFINTEA VI, this article critically reflects on the last decade of English adult education policy. The United Kingdom played an important role in 1997's Hamburg conference by putting forward International Adult Learners' Week, and inspiring delegates by its enthusiasm for adult education. However the trajectory of the past ten years has seen excessive amounts of initiatives come and go, a fall of adult learning participation and a more restricted view of adult education. Some of the policies discussed are: Individual Learning Accounts, the Union Learning Fund, Train to Gain, the Learning and Skills Council and the Adult and Community Learning Fund. By combining first-hand commentary with a chronological analysis of policy initiatives this article sets the scene for the new advocacy battles facing England. (Contains 2 notes.)