Looking at the national media coverage of the Labour Party's Commission on the UK's Future, you could be forgiven for thinking it is all about the abolition of the House of Lords. Instead it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to reshape UK public services – a chance for real devolution. Again.

For those who have been around local government for a while, there is a deep irony in seeing a document penned by former Labour chancellor and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, which focuses on devolution.