‘At the expense of themselves and their constituents, councils have set a collusion rather than a collision course with Westminster’

• SEVERAL weeks ago, out of the blue, hordes of workers descended on my block.

Heavy tackle arrived and shedloads of gear hoisted onto the roof, followed by three weeks of disruption while the existing telecoms installation was extended.

In response to questions regarding threats to the structural integrity of the roof given its history of leaks, the council’s executive wheeled out a digital connectivity bod who blandly stated that the roof was leased to a tenant who had the option to expand their operation. I hope that they were hit with a hefty rent increase.

Across the country cash-strapped councils of all stripes are cutting services and generating revenue, often through controversial channels.

They plead innocence, insisting government cuts are “forcing difficult choices” – code for punching down – and capitulate despite their collective power.

United by common threat they could, for example, inform Westminster they will stop participation in general elections unless there are constructive talks on funding, but lack the political will.

At the expense of themselves and their constituents, councils have set a collusion rather than a collision course with Westminster. A few generations ago councils may well have got bolshie and strangled the cuts at birth.

Demarcation from Westminster freed councillors to cross-party challenge common threats, and an “us-versus-them” culture prevailed.

Could it be that the increasing number of councillors who now transition to MPs has blurred the lines between local and national politics and stifled dissent at local level?

With loyalties divided between town hall and Westminster Hall, few will commit local misdemeanours and scupper their prospects of filling the green benches: witness the Islington councillors reluctant to support Jeremy Corbyn’s defence of members’ right to the final nod on selection.

A tightening nexus between local and national government (Westminsterisation?) will emasculate the former and empower the latter.

If this trend continues town halls will become de facto kindergartens for the House of Commons, and local opposition to central power will be silenced.

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