ABSTRACT
The Times, 25 January 1991 If we want further evidence of the dominant traditions-and missing traditions-of modern British politics, it is only necessary to look at territorial politics. Similarly, any reconstruction of the basis of the British political system would have to include the division of power by area. The whole issue of territorial democracy is acute, protracted and unresolved. It makes its presence felt on many sides-on Europe, on Scotland, on local government-and meets a political tradition both unprepared and unwilling to take it seriously. It is a political tradition in the grip of an ideology of centralism, but increasingly overwhelmed by the issues with which it is called upon to deal.
