With the local elections over, and with one of the longest sessions of Parliament in recent history now at an end, thoughts in Whitehall are turning to future legislation. 

Time was that local government promoted legislation in Parliament. In the late 19th Century in particular major bills, such as on Public Health, were initiated by councils. When the Queen addresses Parliament this week, it would be good if those words “my government” meant local as well as central government. In this spirit we at LGiU are keen to test the government’s commitment to localism by pushing for a range of bills that meet the priorities of local government.