There was once a great, enchanting, romantic dream of local government. And that’s a dream idealists are prompted to look back to when the reality becomes far too overwhelming.
In 2014, that reality is staring at us full force in the face. The present model of local government has run its course. The town halls dreamt up as the heartbeat of municipal socialism – with councillors accountable to their constituents and their party, providing to empower their communities – are on a life support machine.
The very ethos of local government itself is at stake. The Conservative party championed the Localism bill of 2011, and promised us the ‘Big Society’. But in reality the party is hell-bent on delivering a more minimal and centralized state. And this starts with cuts to council budgets, whatever the cost to the those relying on services – including vital care – and local government employment. Continue reading
The pell-mell rush to outsource all public services is being shipwrecked this Xmas on a huge rock which is set to have devastating consequences for those tragically vulnerable persons who only get attention the year round at Christmas time. 
A couple of days ago something genuinely terrible happened. My eldest child ran away from a park where he was playing with a friend after school. It all happened in a split second; the two boys were messing about, not wanting to go home, much to the irritation of the adults. Then they suddenly vanished.
