Comments on: And the Conservative policy flip-flops keep on coming – how much flexibility will there really be for local government? http://www.lordtobyharris.org.uk/and-the-conservative-policy-flip-flops-keep-on-coming-how-much-flexibility-will-there-really-be-for-local-government/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:50:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Brian Hughes http://www.lordtobyharris.org.uk/and-the-conservative-policy-flip-flops-keep-on-coming-how-much-flexibility-will-there-really-be-for-local-government/comment-page-1/#comment-2170 Brian Hughes Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:20:51 +0000 http://www.lordtobyharris.org.uk/?p=1063#comment-2170 Tories talk loftily about handing power back to "local" people but they seem to reserve the right to grumble about the results. For example, the eager young member for the Forest of Dean has complained that those of his constituents who get their health services in Wales receive a different set of service levels and options to those who receive them in England. Such "postcode lotteries" are the inevitable consequence of any meaningful devolution. And, anyone who can recall Tory MPs harumphing about the dreadful things that leftie teachers (ie, in their eyes, most of them) allegedly taught their pupils, will snort at Tory talk about returning power over the curriculum to schools.... Tories talk loftily about handing power back to “local” people but they seem to reserve the right to grumble about the results.

For example, the eager young member for the Forest of Dean has complained that those of his constituents who get their health services in Wales receive a different set of service levels and options to those who receive them in England.

Such “postcode lotteries” are the inevitable consequence of any meaningful devolution.

And, anyone who can recall Tory MPs harumphing about the dreadful things that leftie teachers (ie, in their eyes, most of them) allegedly taught their pupils, will snort at Tory talk about returning power over the curriculum to schools….

]]> By: Quietzapple http://www.lordtobyharris.org.uk/and-the-conservative-policy-flip-flops-keep-on-coming-how-much-flexibility-will-there-really-be-for-local-government/comment-page-1/#comment-2169 Quietzapple Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:48:40 +0000 http://www.lordtobyharris.org.uk/?p=1063#comment-2169 Local authorities will wish to seek the sort of rights Parish Councils managed to obtain by the "penny rate" in the '70s I suppose, but on a larger scale. The most likely extension of the powers of Local Councils would be in line with Carswell/Hannan's "The Plan" - the power to cut the benefits of the unemployed, for example, in areas where there are jobs. Local Authorities would have a role in Chameleon's world. As I remarked before: "Cuts." Local authorities will wish to seek the sort of rights Parish Councils managed to obtain by the “penny rate” in the ’70s I suppose, but on a larger scale.

The most likely extension of the powers of Local Councils would be in line with Carswell/Hannan’s “The Plan” – the power to cut the benefits of the unemployed, for example, in areas where there are jobs.

Local Authorities would have a role in Chameleon’s world.

As I remarked before: “Cuts.”

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