Sustainable Communities Bill

I am grateful to both the hon. Gentleman and Mrs. Hoyle for that intervention. I want to return to the issue of popular disillusion about our ability to do anything about the problem. As a result—this point is reflected clearly in the Power inquiry set up in 2006—people are less likely to get involved in the community, let alone vote, and that is generally agreed to be a bad thing. The Bill attempts to do what the report calls"““possibly the most crucial step in any effort to reengage citizens with the democratic process””," which is to give power to local communities and empower citizens.