Localists will be encouraged by Nick Clegg’s first big speech as Deputy Prime Minister. It’s good to hear him bemoan the UK’s status as ”the most centralised country in Europe, bar Malta.” I’d have to raise an eyebrow at a couple of points, however. First, the proposed “mechanism to block pointless new criminal offences”. Isn’t that called Parliament? Second, the promised review of anti-terrorism powers. It’s hard to give Mr Clegg much credit for this when there are already rumours that anti-terror legislation could be used to halt Norwich’s bid for unitary status. Overall, however, this is an encouraging start.
