Changes in administrative boundaries are resisted because of suspicion that they are seeking to change our identity.
While national command and control sometimes stumbled, our district councils ensured that we could keep calm and carry on.
There can be benefits to democracy – and efficiency from reform. But change must come from below – not be imposed from the top.
Local identities matter. Rather than abolishing small local authorities, more power should be handed down to them.
Limiting councils’ discretion could lead to a lot of fuss for little real change. The real problem is a geographically unbalanced economy.
Instead of the current patchwork system, a new more effective form of local governance is necessary to unlock regional growth.
That Johnson’s recent visit was reported as though he were a Governor-General of Imperial India touring the North-West frontier is a bad sign.
The mutual aid phenomenon does demonstrate that many people will use their free time in extraordinarily productive and pro-social ways.
A lack of accountability allowed a black hole to be created in Transport for London’s budget. Planning decisions are made in secret.
Experienced paramedics are refusing deserved promotions because they don’t want to be part of existing management.
Forced, and arbitrary, local government reorganisation risks ignoring community wishes.
Three cheers for three reforms: of the civil service, of Ministers and of one that this Government tends to avoid – of public services.
The state should not try to do everything itself. Our role is to provide leadership and to unlock the power of voluntary organisations.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council must be scrapped for proper accountability to have a chance. Greater local accountability is needed.
It can provide councils that are more efficient, cost effective, and customer focused, without giving up accountability.