The
history of local government in England is one of gradual change and evolution since the
Middle Ages.
England has never possessed a formal written
constitution, with the result that modern administration (and the judicial system) is based on precedent, and is derived from administrative powers granted (usually by
the Crown) to older systems, such as that of the
shires.
The concept of
local government in England spans back into the
history of Anglo-Saxon England (c. 700-1066), and certain aspects of its modern system are directly derived from this time; particularly the paradigm that towns and the countryside should be administrated separately. In this context, the
feudal system introduced by the
Normans, and perhaps lasting 300 years, can be seen as a 'blip', before earlier patterns of administration re-emerged.
The dramatic increase in population, and change in population distribution caused by the
Industrial Revolution necessitated similarly dramatic reform in local administration in England, which was achieved gradually throughout the 19th century. Much of the 20th century was spent searching for an idealised system of local government. The most sweeping change in that period was the
Local Government Act 1972, which resulted in a uniform two-tier system of counties and districts being introduced in 1974; however, further waves of reform has led to a more heterogeneous system in use today, in the 21st century.
Origins of local government in England
Much of the basic...
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