Looking at the future of local government, this book examines the different changes, such as community charge and other financial changes, housing reforms, education reforms services, local democracy and other problems within the local government.

Part 1 The agenda of change: community charge and other financial changes, Tony Travers; competition and service in local government, Kieron Walsh; education reform - consumer democracy or social democracy, Stewart Ranson and Hywel Thomas; local government and the Housing Reforms, Kenneth M.Spencer; strengthening local democracy? - the government's response to Widdicombe, Steve Leach; inner cities, economic development and social services - the government's continuing agenda, Gerry Stoker. Part 2 What future?: creating a local government for a post-Fordist society - the Thatcherite project?, Gerry Stoker; the changing organization and management of local authorities, John Stewart; the new right, the new left and local government, Desmond S.King; Thatcherism and local government - an evaluation, Graham Mather; a future for local authorities as community government, John Stewart.