I have worked both in Government as a civil servant and in politics so I’m no stranger to cynicism.

But precisely because I have that direct experience, I’m always annoyed when sneering commentators make sweeping statements about the motives of politicians.

Often I hear or read a version of “well of course I know that a less centralised country is a desirable goal but it’s never going to make it into the manifestos, after all who would vote for that?” Look at what happened with mayors, they say – as if that encapsulates all that localism is and could be.