The new consultation paper on democracy from communities secretary, John Denham, does not chime with the sentiments of his speech, say George Jones and John Stewart.

There is a strange difference between, on the one hand, the introductory language of the Strengthening local democracy consultation paper and of community secretary John Denham's speech presenting the paper, which is inspiring for its praise of local government and councillors – and on the other hand, the paper's proposals for action, which are feeble and disappointing.

The words of the secretary of state show an appreciation of the importance of local government, and an understanding of its role and nature that his predecessors rarely expressed.