Government proposals have been met with a warmer welcome than the Local Government White Paper.  Many have also been greeted with more outraged cries.

The FT outlines the mixed reaction from lukewarm to wearied disappointment - whereas the Guardian Leader manages to get more worked up:

"Yesterday's white paper contained some worthwhile ideas, but was silent on so much that it is most unlikely to rescue councils from the anonymity and obscurity to which they have been consigned by decades of centralisation under governments of both stripes."

Considering the many ideas that have been floated around for so long (see our Local Heroes debate) people should be more angry by the half-baked proposals here.  Local Government needs a radical make-over.  With its further proposals for stronger (and longer lasting) council leaders - what is presented here is more a completion of the reforms Labour proposed in 2000.

Why rush these minor reforms through now, instead of waiting for Sir Michael Lyons' review of finance and treat the whole thing as one?  Has real progress been blocked so that, as the Guardian suggests, the Chancellor can put more of his own vision onto Local Government when he takes control as a future PM?

• Lab 32 (+1), Con 39(+1), Lib Dem 16(-2)
  Poll in the Telegraph - Also audio commentary from Anthony King available.
• Israsel: a nation under siege in depth report from John Kampfner in the New Statesman.
  
• www.electoral-vote.com says the Senate is still looking like a 49-51 balance with New Jersey, Tennessee and Virginia eye-wateringly close.
  
• Oh - and Belinda Oaten has written the most appaling open letter to Celeste Barker possible in the Daily Mail.