Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords]

The previous intervention backs up my hon. Friend's point, because some local authorities have worked together for 20, 30, 40 or 50 years. When the hon. Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay) was a union official, keeping a close eye on a local authority with which I had some links, there was close co-operation between four local authorities of a mixed political complexion. If Red Ted Knight—if that rings a bell for the historians—and I can work together successfully in a unit of four, anybody can.