Both the 1997-2010 Labour governments and the 2010-15 coalition have promulgated the idea of ‘strong leadership’ as a key element in their agendas for improving local government.
Vibrant Local Leadership (ODPM 2005) includes the following statement: ‘Continual improvement requires strong and effective leadership. It is about bringing other stakeholders together to help deliver this vision’.
The various government publications of the time make frequent reference to the desired qualities of local leadership; such as ‘strong’, ‘visible’ and vibrant’ There has more recently been reference to the need for ‘big hitters’. The enthusiasm for elected mayors from both governments embodies a belief in the superiority of individual leadership.
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