Can a leopard change its spots?

Having been defeated in referendum and thwarted in its ambition to install regional government with powers removed from more local councils the Government has, as posted earlier, given vast new powers to Quangos.

This is to be reinforced through the new Local Government Act, by the possibility of Multi Area Agreements (MAAAs). Thirteen of these sub-regions are drawing up plans to exercise new powers to boost jobs, transport,investment and housing by extended cooperation. These will cover many parts of the country, from Tyne and Wear in the north to South Hampshire in the south.Among them, and why are we not surprised, is the Birmingham, C0ventry and Black Country area which includes Telford and Wrekin. The Government it touting for further areas.

Among other things, these areas will enable councils to "transcend traditional administrative and structural boundaries and deliver solutions that cover entire commuter routes, housing and employment markets." (Communities and Local Government Network)

The end result is to transfer power from local communities and councillors to more regional bureaucracies, with arguably little improvements for ordinary citizens. It is difficult to see what improvement for outlying Telford is likely to emerge from a metropolitan domination centred in Birmingham. In a word, power is becoming remote.