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Double-devolution or double-dealing? : the local government White Paper and the Lyons review

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Davies, Jonathan. (2008) Double-devolution or double-dealing? : the local government White Paper and the Lyons review. Local Government Studies, Vol.34 (No.1). pp. 3-22. ISSN 0300-3930

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03003930701770397

Abstract

New Labour's third White Paper promised the revitalization of local government after ten years of control freakery. It does not, however, live up to the promise of a 'new localism'. The tenor of the paper is moralising and prescriptive, claims to a new approach belied by the government's negative response to Lyons. Proposals for reform are ambiguous, offering no guarantees against back-door centralisation. Such cause as there may be for optimism largely depends on the capacity of localities to take the initiative. A fundamental debate about the role of local government, local democracy and the relationship between centre and locality is therefore still needed. Given the preponderance of path dependencies, strategic dilemmas and structural constraints upon the centre, the demand for local democracy will have to be initiated, voiced and organised by local citizens and councillors themselves.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	J Political Science > JS Local government Municipal government
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School > International Centre for Governance & Public Management Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Local government -- Great Britain -- History -- 21st century, Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1997-2007
Journal or Publication Title:	Local Government Studies
Publisher:	Routledge Journals, Taylor and Fancis Ltd
ISSN:	0300-3930
Date:	2008
Volume:	Vol.34
Number:	No.1
Number of Pages:	20
Page Range:	pp. 3-22
Identification Number:	10.1080/03003930701770397
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/30707