The Modernisers’ Tale: why modernisation in local government must continue

The Modernisers’ Tale: why modernisation in local government must continue
Publication Date: January 28th, 2005
ISBN: 1 903 447 44 5
Authored by: Dan Corry and Ian Parker
Hardcopy Price: ££10

During the past few years, great strides have been made in the attempt to modernise local government.



The modernisation process has taken place across three different but connecting areas. First, the drive to transform the way that public services are delivered, through for example the use of public private partnerships and e-government. Second, the imperative to revitalise local political leadership, notably through moves towards the new leader/cabinet model, experiments with directly elected mayors and an emphasis on backbench scrutiny. Third, the push to empower local communities through encouraging public involvement, e-democracy and making services more responsive to collective and individual user preferences.



All three areas meanwhile have evolved at a time when policy makers at all levels have been re-orientating their thoughts on central/local relations. Defined by NLGN as ‘New Localism’, this is both a practical philosophy and architecture for making services and governance work.



The Modernisers’ Tale recounts the tale of local government modernisation, why it was needed and how it unfolded. In doing so, the pamphlet observes where consolidation is needed while also pointing to areas where new and radical policy approaches are necessary.



A window of opportunity currently exists to make a lasting difference to the running of Britain’s localities and communities – and by extension the country as a whole. How long that window will remain open is difficult to say. In the meantime however, local government modernisation must carry on apace.


the modernisers’ tale – summary version.pdf


Explore More