Rebuilding trust in centralllocal relations: Policy or passion?

This article argues that both central and local government are serious in their desire to rebuild trust. Tensions have arisen, however, because each 'side' is working with a different conception of trust. Central government sees trust as emerging out of a bargaining process - greater local autonomy will follow only when local authorities prove their commitment to change. Local government sees renewed trust (and enhanced local discretion) as a matter of belief, reflecting principles of local self-government. Exploring developments in centralllocal relations since 1997, the article identifies the weaknesses of both positions and considers the possibility of a negotiated, middle way to rebuilding trust. The article argues that democratic renewal, in its broadest sense, is contingent upon rebuilding trust in governance.