Beyond Blears

5 Jun 09
MIKE THATCHER | It was unfortunate timing, to say the least. The decision by the communities and local government secretary to resign one day ahead of the council and European elections breached parliamentary protocol and certainly added a frisson to what was an extraordinary week in politics.

It was unfortunate timing, to say the least. The decision by the communities and local government secretary to resign one day ahead of the council and European elections breached parliamentary protocol and certainly added a frisson to what was an extraordinary week in politics.

Unfortunately for Hazel Blears, her political epitaphs will not dwell for long on the radical changes that she has effected in local government. These were few and far between.

She did help to negotiate the Concordat between central and local government and has been a passionate advocate of community empowerment.

As Tony Travers told Public Finance this week, the former minister has a Tigger-like quality that has endeared her to the public and, particularly, her Salford constituents.

But she has not been able to address many of the problems that have beset local government, such as the unfairness of council funding and the sidelining of town halls. As recently as last month, her much-vaunted draft Community Empowerment Bill was abandoned and repackaged by the government.

In her defence, Blears has been hampered by a Labour leadership willing to talk the talk on localism, but unwilling to devolve power to elected local councillors. They might be even less keen to do so after the drubbing Labour received across county and unitary authorities on Thursday.

And, of course, the disarray in the government following the expenses furore and the pre-election ministerial resignations has put the business of running the country on hold. One can only hope that the reshuffle allows a line to be drawn in the sand.

Blears’ successor at Eland House will have to work hard with the Local Government Association to push town and county halls back into the limelight.

In some respects, however, this is an opportune time. With the recession showing little sign of abating, councils have a chance to take the lead in regenerating towns and cities and helping citizens to stay in their jobs and their homes.

As Blears – and her growing band of colleagues – head off to spend more time with their constituents, the local government community will be hoping for some strong leadership in the difficult days ahead.

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