It's that time in the political season when opposition parties come bearing gifts. Labour's Cabinet Office shadow Michael Dugher talks of boosting jobs in the regions on the back of devolution.

Leftist think tanks, notably the Institute of Public Policy Research, talk enthusiastically about decentralisation. Hilary Benn, Pickles' (pale) shadow, promises Labour will give councils leeway on skills and infrastructure.

But is Labour this time genuinely going to abandon the habits of a century and push decision-making out of the centre down to local authorities?