This accessible text summarizes and explains the structure of British local government, focusing on key changes introduced during the Thatcher/Major years and initiatives implemented by the current Labour administration. While offering a detailed discussion of these policies, the book examines how local government has sought to respond in a proactive way to a range of important social, political and economic changes. Readers are introduced to local government as a lively and complex site of political engagement. British local government is set in a wider political, social and theoretical context. Throughout, the authors argue that the attempt by the Thatcher and Major administrations of 1979-97 to push local government into the role of merely administrating centrally defined policies was largely short-circuited. While outlining and explaining these changes and their effects, the authors argue that far from being defenceless victims of central government, local authorities devised numerous strategies to protect their independent policy-making role. The authors go on to examine the proposals for change introduced by the Labour government and assess their implications for local government in the twenty-first century. This book will be essential reading for lecturers and students of local government, politics, public policy and urban policy, as well as practitioners.

In this work, J.A. Chandler explains how local government in Britain has evolved from a structure that appeared to be relatively free from central government interference to, as John Prescott observes, 'one of the most centralised systems of government in the Western world'.

This accessible text summarizes and explains the structure ofBritish local government, focusing on key changes introduced duringthe Thatcher/Major years and initiatives implemented by the currentLabour administration. While offering a detailed discussion ofthese policies, the book examines how local government has soughtto respond in a proactive way to a range of important social,political and economic changes. Readers are introduced to local government as a lively and complexsite of political engagement. British local government is set in awider political, social and theoretical context. Throughout, theauthors argue that the attempt by the Thatcher and Majoradministrations of 1979-97 to push local government into the roleof merely administrating centrally defined policies was largelyshort-circuited. While outlining and explaining these changes andtheir effects, the authors argue that far from being defencelessvictims of central government, local authorities devised numerousstrategies to protect their independent policy-making role. Theauthors go on to examine the proposals for change introduced by theLabour government and assess their implications for localgovernment in the twenty-first century. This book will be essential reading for lecturers and students oflocal government, politics, public policy and urban policy, as wellas practitioners.

Earl A. Reitan examines the polices adopted by three revolutionary Prime Ministers, and insightfully illuminates the broader implications of the leaders' profound influence on British politics and society. Written clearly and concisely, The Thatcher Revolution is essential reading for anyone interested in the state and future of modern Britain.

The history of Britain for the last three decades, under both Conservative and Labour governments, has been dominated by one figure - Margaret Thatcher. This is Simon Jenkin's 'argued history' of Britain over nearly 30 years.

Local Government Today provides a comprehensive analysis of the structure, finance, management, and democratic framework for local government in Britain. This new edition includes the changes made by Tony Blair's government and an evaluation in a comparative context of the value and effectiveness of the system. A new feature is a running commentary that puts the British system in comparative context and provides basic information on how local government operates in the European Union and the Unites States.

How does reshaping local government affect citizen involvement in public life? As cities move between centralized and decentralized governance and conservative and progressive leadership, what brings out the best and the worst in civic engagement? In this thought-provoking book, Sylvia Bashevkin examines the consequences of divergent restructuring experiences in London and Toronto. By focusing on the forced amalgamation of local boroughs in Toronto and the creation of a new metropolitan authority in London, she explores the fallout for women as urban citizens. Ultimately, context is crucial to whether municipal change signals pessimism or promise.

This title is aimed at policy practitioners and students, it contains the full history of local government in Britain, and examines the politicisation of local government.

Tony Blair has dominated British political life for more than a decade. Like Margaret Thatcher before him, he has changed the terms of political debate and provoked as much condemnation as admiration. At the end of his era in power, this book presents a wide-ranging overview of the achievements and failures of the Blair governments. Bringing together Britain's most eminent academics and commentators on British politics and society, it examines the effect of the Prime Minister and his administration on the machinery of government, economic and social policy and foreign relations. Combining serious scholarship with clarity and accessibility, this book represents the authoritative verdict on the impact of the Blair years on British politics and society.

The Fifth Edition of this popular textbook provides students and practitioners with a jargon-free description, analysis and critique of the management of the public sector by the UK government. Fully revised and updated, it assesses the policies and performance of the second and third Blair administrations with completely new material on Public-Private Partnerships, Private Finance Initiative and the management of the railways and London Underground. Written in a highly accessible yet analytical style, The Fifth Edition includes chapter summaries, thematically organized further reading, and a website with resources for students and lecturers.