There is ‘real' danger facing councils failing to involve people in decision-making, the communities secretary has warned. Hinting for the first time at the possibility of the recession leading to civil unrest, Hazel Blears this week warned of the ‘dangers of disconnect and disillusionment' if people were not involved in the local response to the downturn. A 2008 survey by the CLG showed 61% of people felt they could not influence decisions in their local area. The warning came as the home secretary launched a new terror strategy warning of unrest linked to extremism, and former welfare minister, Frank Field, warned of riots caused by the downturn. Ms Blears said: ‘Far too many people currently feel they have no voice in local decision-making, particularly during the downturn. The dangers of disconnect and disillusionment for local economies and services if they don't are real.'
