Anthony Barnett (London, OK): I went to the Policy Exchange launch of Tony King's new book on The British Constitution. More on the tome itself another time. King was introduced by Ferdie Mount. It was all a bit too complacent, cynical and clever for my taste. King made the mistake of being rude about the quality of those engaged in local government. I was impressed by how many in the audience objected personally as people who are or had been local councillors.
King feels that London politicians may be becoming control freaks because they are hanging on to all they have left, as power disappears into the EU and devolution and to the judiciary. Will the appetite for constitutional reform increase with the eating, asked Ferdie, rather than diminish as King seemed to hope? (It is always difficult to know what he actually thinks himself, which is part of his act.) Either way they seemed to agree that more means worse.
Douglas Carswell MP, a Tory who helped to create Direct Democracy with its localist agenda and excellent email newsletter spoke up for the Levellers and the American revolution. I thought 'right on!'. He was patronised by the speakers. Strange times...
Compared to the first wave of constitutional reform initiated by Charter 88 I have to say one thing - there is now a literature, serious sweeping books however flawed their perspective, or in King's case a lack of one. The constitutional argument is beginning to put down roots.
