Between Rhetoric and Reality: Does the 2001 White Paper Reverse the Centralising Trend in Britain?

The article looks at the White Paper for local government, "Strong Local Leadership - Quality Public Services," and its implications in central-local relations in Great Britain. The new White Paper, which was published on December 10, 20001, is said to break a long-term process of centralization that influenced the New Labour's reform programme including the reduction in central control and recognition that local government is a part of a solution. The White Paper also reflects the government's intention of establishing relationships with individual authorities and a renewed role for elected local government.