Power to the people?

All the political parties are backing the idea if decentralising power to local level - it is often called 'New Localism.'

But how would it work - and are there lessons we should draw from how they do things in the United States?

On The Westminster Hour in January 2004, we investigated what it all means and talked to Home Secretary David Blunkett, one of the most senior members of the Labour cabinet - and one of the key figures in the debate.