New localism is therefore characterised by a cautious devolution of power to the local level in an attempt lo better implement national goals.
It emphasises the devolution of managerial over political power – the aim is generally to allow local managers to meet national priorities more effectively, rather than to allow local politicians to deviate from national goals.
New localism differs from the implicit ‘old localism’ in two important senses. First, it accepts the role of central government in driving change at the local level, something that the localists of the 1980s strongly resisted.
Second, it does not centre on the role of the local authority, but takes a wider view of the locality that includes communities and other public service organisations such as health and police services.