Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book deeply concerns about the undermining of the role of local government and of the diminishing vitality of local democracy. It also concerns about its impact on central government itself. The book argues that the concept of disjointed incrementalism, linked to a changing set of attitudes in Westminster and Whitehall provides a more convincing explanation than a long-term centralist conspiracy to undermine local government. It identifies five successive periods in the development of local government, revealing their distinctive characteristics, and drawing lessons which will be of value to those seeking to strengthen local government at the present time. The book explains the cumulative process of centralisation since 1980, in which governments of varying political colours have all played a part. It focuses on the concept of disjointed incrementalism, operating within the assumptions of the centralist culture.