It is a common assumption that politicians in central government are keener to espouse the case for devolving more powers to a local level when they are in opposition, and much more hesitant when in government. The current Conservative opposition has certainly been promoting its localist credentials very boldly in recent months. So, not surprisingly, a certain amount of speculation has begun in local government circles about whether this conversion is genuine or whether, if elected to power, the party would revert to the heavy-handed centralism of the Thatcher era. Now, shadow chancellor, George Osborne, with his pledge of a council tax freeze has given the answer and, indeed, given the game away. The commitment to localism would not survive for a moment under a Tory Government.
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