ABSTRACT
All governments experience conflicts and pressures but the mix of their experience in these respects differs from time to time and from place to place. Democratic governments, and governments which aspire to being democratic, need to be sensitive, in particular, to pressures stimulated by liberal values and principles. Believers in the democratic virtues of local government tend to emphasise the opportunities for individuals to participate in the processes of government. Socialisation has a particularly important role to play in local government. The record of increasing provisions for freedom of information in British local government is not one of consistent progress towards a stated and detailed goal known in advance; and according to the terms used here it is therefore not administrative development. In public service, a lot may depend on trust among individuals. Trust has to be developed and nurtured; however, it can never be simply legislated for or enshrined in official statements intended to implement new checks and safeguards.
