We want to see any culture of indifference about local democracy dispersed, and local people taking a lively interest in their council and its affairs. The Government will provide opportunities and incentives for these fundamental shifts of culture by putting in place a renewed framework in which local government in England will operate. This will address the weaknesses and shortcomings in the existing framework, and allow and encourage councils everywhere to modernise. It will open the d oor to more effective local political leadership, to re-invigorated local democracy, and to quality local services. It is local government, not central government, which has that vital local day to day relationship with people.
Central government can change and modernise, and is doing so.
Local government too needs to change and modernise, so that people everywhere can have the quality of life they have the right to expect.