ABSTRACT
As in many areas of political debate, history can help an understanding as to why the issues faced today have arisen. The evolution of local government, from humble and patriarchal beginnings to the multi-layered – and rather confusing – picture of it today contains a number of important themes that can shine light on why this is so. At the centre of this history is a constant narrative of a battle for power. In the early beginnings it was a given that power lay with the privileged few who dominated due to their resources and status in society. The industrial revolution brought new players into this category but also saw the emergence of a rural versus urban dimension. As democracy evolved, catalysed by the new industrial society, so did a battle for power between the elite and the newly empowered workers. Perhaps the first inklings of the democracy we might recognise today took shape around 100 years ago as women were finally given the vote. Once the question of enfranchisement had been resolved, the battle for power became focussed on a national versus local arena. There is little doubt that this dynamic remains in place today.
