Bedfordshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008

Yes, it does; it is quite interesting. I find it ironic that the Minister pleads post facto legislation—I do not think it is retrospective legislation—as justification for this process. If post facto legislation is a new term, I am sorry but it is appropriate in this case. As the Minister probably rightly argues, if there is a judgment on the original judicial review, it has in effect been superseded by legislation subsequently passed. Even if the judgment went against the Government, I suspect that the Minister is absolutely right that the lawyers would say that what the Government have done should stand. I also accept the difficulty we face in that we are now electorally right up against the gun. Any delay would be very unfortunate. It is a reality, and I would have to plead when we come to other cases—as we unquestionably will, because there are a few more carcasses in the game larder that must be brought out when they are suitably ripened—that they be brought out with sufficient time not to be rushed in quite the way Bedfordshire will be, and as Cheshire was a little while ago. I am bound to say that this is yet another chapter in this local government restructuring. It seems that both Cheshire and Bedfordshire will leave a nasty taste in the mouths of their local communities. Of course, the communities and their councillors will come together and make these proposals work. I have said time and again that local councillors have had to make systems imposed upon them work, whether or not they are good, right or effective. It is what local councillors do, and I repeat my tribute to them. Whether I should be concerned if the Government go around the country leaving a nasty taste in local communities’ mouths is entirely another matter. However, I cannot help but feel that that will probably be one of the effects of this exercise; although it will unquestionably die as time passes and people get used to the new system. I have not been able to decide entirely what the Government’s purposes are in undertaking this exercise; they are certainly not to deliver the most cost-effective and efficient delivery of services. It is not the most representative system. The existing system is far more representative, if you count the number of democratic representatives, than the new systems will ever be. I wonder if this is change for change’s sake. I have always argued that everything that is done can always be done better, but that does not necessarily mean it is right to change things. Anyway, there is nothing more I can say on this particular cusp. This has arrived at the point where any further obstacles would do harm to Bedfordshire, which I am not in the business of doing. Therefore, even if I do not particularly like the proposal, I shall not oppose it in any way.