Haunted by their past

摘要

In the aftermath of Lyons, many commentators have criticised the Government for not being bolder or braver in endorsing Sir Michael's proposals for reform of local authority finance. Others have criticised Sir Michael for not going further in his recommendations. What few commentators have done, however, is switch the spotlight on to the people really responsible for creating an atmosphere in which radical reform is well-nigh impossible. There are two guilty parties, and I have no hesitation in naming and shaming them. They are respectively, our national media and Her Majesty's Opposition.