ABSTRACT
No British government of any political persuasion has had a policy about local government since the Second World War. This chapter presents itself to two absolutely critical areas which need powerful political attention, from both major parties. They are: the relationships between central and local government; and the support for local politicians and parties to do their job. The political tensions are important enough but in many ways are surpassed by the effects of administrative tensions. A area central to the notion of local democracy is the political control over the health service and police—both very difficult and sensitive areas. Layfield advocated a Local Income Tax as a major feature of the system for financing local government. The area is the basis of finance for local government and the system of policy direction and control between levels of government. The research highlights the very real problems both of the newly elected local councillor and of leading councillors.
