I am browsing the news in the aftermath of the 'Scotland Decides' campaign and it would seem that other areas of England (Manchester and Northumberland in particular) are now wanting to follow suit (article too long to cut and paste):
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29235489
Linda Colley, professor of history at the University of Princeton, says local governments raised about half of all the money they spent through local taxation.
Today, she says, central government provides more than 80% of of local government funds and dictates how the money is used.
"It's worth considering how much of the current disquiet and disaffection in parts of the UK is caused by the overmighty reach of London which needed to centralise power in order to fight two world wars and has not been all that willing since to surrender power back," she said.
Will clinging onto power be the driving force of Westminster? As centralisation generally doesn't fare so well, if your area wanted, as the Mancunians have a term I shall use theirs, Devo-Manc, would you vote for it?
warped cutting mat - any solutions?
July 23 Limerick (continuation of July 21)
