New Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, has outlined his vision for more devolved power for local government. Speaking at a party conference, Mr Clegg said the Liberal Democrats would draw up a new ‘charter of freedoms and responsibilities' for councils. He said it would be ‘a bold document that will spell the end to the centralised state'. ‘But, with more freedom, should come higher expectations,' he said. ‘Where local government acts as a purchaser of services it must insist on high standards.'
