Purpose: The relationship between central and sub-national (local) government is contentious around distribution of power and control. There is a specific concern when a (local) place has power devolved, but centralised hierarchical accountability pervades. Design/methodology/approach: This...

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to explore Whitehall motivations underpinning the Sub‐national Review of Economic Development and Regeneration . Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on interviews conducted with senior Whitehall officials involved in regional working....

Charter 88 was committed to achieving one central aim-shifting the nature of British democracy from a highly majoritarian polity to a more pluralistic or consensual model of democracy. This article argues that New Labour has not demonstrated a clear commitment to a more consensual or pluralist...

Although there is no doubt that the British constitution has been significantly reformed since the election of Labour in May 1997, the degree to which these reforms have altered the nature of British democracy remains deeply contested. A major problem within this debate is that it has become...