Last week's announcement of the six Devolution Priority Programme areas to be taken forward by the Government has highlighted much of what the sector already knew – reorganisation is not easy.  

Lord Pickles' legendary pearl-handled revolver – kept in the desk drawer to shoot anyone mentioning reorganisation – may have been imaginary. But his legacy, in the shape of his former special adviser Sheridan Westlake, remained steadfast in No10, putting the kybosh on any inkling of structural reform under subsequent Conservative governments. After all, why would they want to cull the foot soldiers in the Tory shire districts?