It is a truth universally acknowledged that the by now looming General Election will be fought on rather mundane terrain.  It will be the state of local public services, amenities and the public realm rather than any great sweeping strategic, ideological dividing lines or the bedlam of culture wars.

In this context, the state of our high streets and town centres will be a determining factor in the public's mood and sensibilities.  And the guiding role business rates have as the liability most retailers have to pay may well come into play for the fiscal concerns of the party manifestos.