A plan to reorganise local government in England runs into opposition
Turkeys vote against Christmas
The government has more eye-catching policies, such as a plan to build millions of homes and a promise to “smash the gangs” that smuggle asylum-seekers across the English Channel. But the policy with the greatest chance of changing England for good is local-government reform. Labour’s plans in that area are bold. They are also deeply unpopular in some quarters, as local politicians made clear on January 10th in their initial responses to the government’s proposals.
Explore more
This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Not so fast”
Britain January 18th 2025
- Britain’s government has spooked markets and riled businesses
- David Lammy’s plan to shake up Britain’s Foreign Office
- Britain is becoming a well-mannered but deceitful society
- Homelessness in England has risen by 26% in the past five years
- A plan to reorganise local government in England runs into opposition
- Has the Royal Navy become too timid?
- Labour’s credibility trap
From the January 18th 2025 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Britain
Has the Royal Navy become too timid?
A new paper examines how its culture has changed
David Lammy’s plan to shake up Britain’s Foreign Office
Diplomats will be tasked with growing the economy and cutting migration
Britain’s government has spooked markets and riled businesses
Tax rises were inevitable. Such a shaky start was not
Labour’s credibility trap
Who can believe Rachel Reeves?
Britain is becoming a well-mannered but deceitful society
Technology and sloppy government are to blame