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The Government in Dublin will not be winning popularity polls among the leaders of the European Union right now. The result of its referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is, let’s face it, downright inconvenient, for without complete unanimity, reform of the EU cannot proceed. But, for us, it also prompts some wider reflections on the

There are 10,000 odd parish or town councils in England and Wales, and suddenly everyone wants to be nice to them. Deprived of powers, status and money, it is now thought that they might be important. Ministers and civil servants are scurrying to see what can be done to strengthen these bodies – with a

The new Mayor of London has made a remarkable pledge:- “I will consult the residents in the (Congestion Charge) zone and on the border on whether we should keep the Western extension, and whatever the result I will abide by it”. On the surface, here is a clear, unambiguous commitment, no doubt welcomed by all

In the ideal world, it would never be necessary for law-makers to pass legislation insisting that public bodies co-operate with each other! That this became necessary, in the 2007 Local Government & Public Involvement in Health Act, is testimony to a silo mentality throughout the public sector, genuine problems of bureaucratic boundaries or just meddlesome

250+ people at the Neil Stewart Associates conference on Community Consultation – Empowering Communities last week waited for Hazel Blears, but unfortunately she was unable to appear; neither was Caroline Flint, her announced replacement. But had they showed up, no doubt they would have repeated the current policy that local authorities – and all their

In this Olympic year, it may be timely to reflect upon the styles adopted by some of the world’s athletes and other sportsmen. Some make a virtue of huffing, puffing and emerging battered from the fray. Others give interviews as if they had just crossed the street for a relaxing conversation. What distinguishes a Tiger

Today sees the launch-date for LINks – the new mechanism for harnessing the views of individuals and organisations about health and social care in England. So, somewhere today there will be a conversation that goes roughly like this:- Is your group going to take part in LINks? (Hopefully the local version will have been branded

Mention rugby to a Welshman these past few days, and you’ll have no difficulty kick-starting an animated dialogue! Everyone has an opinion and will take every opportunity to express it. Something similar exists in the Indian sub-continent with cricket or in Brazil with football. On a more cultural level, think how the Italians relate to