Lord Porter’s exit interview comments in The MJ last week that the devolution agenda is going backwards strikes a painful chord at a time when central Government is completely dysfunctional, undemocratic and stuffed with politicians from all parties who in the words of the immortal actor Terry Thomas are ‘an absolute shower’. To have President Putin lecturing the UK for having its next Prime Minister elected by 2% of the population is the ultimate humiliation.

In contrast to the vacuum at the top, local government comes across as a beacon of good governance and leadership with some pretty able politicians as well. Unfortunately, as Lord Porter pointed out, this has not translated into more devolution. It means councils are still tied to Whitehall and Westminster’s purse strings even though central Government is in a state of paralysis and incapable of making any major decisions.