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
Can you believe it? The Tory view of society seems to be a version of Dante’s Inferno, with seven descending circles into Hell. At the top are the 0.003% of the population whose wealth on the latest estimates is now valued at £414bn, including gains in the last 3 years of £155bn. These are very precious people, so they need to be pampered with every tax concession that can be dreamed up, including vast use of tax havens over which the government conveniently casts a blind eye. 