From Town Halls to Power Struggles: The Unfiltered World of Local Government
For the next episode of Baroness Barker’s Book Club, Baroness Barker sat down with Sir Rodney Brooke CBE DL, former CEO of Westminster City Council, to dive into his book The Winding Stair: From Morley Boy to Westminster Knight. Together, they explored the highs and lows of local government – its role in shaping communities, the decline of its power, and the often-overlooked but gripping stories behind council chambers and public services.
A Life Shaped by Local Government
Sir Rodney Brooke’s journey from a local newspaper journalist in Morley to one of the country’s most influential local government officials reads like fiction – except it’s all true. Starting out as an office boy in his local town hall, Brooke saw first-hand how councils once wielded immense power, overseeing everything from water supplies to policing. He reminisces about an era where town hall officials were respected figures, shaping their communities with long-term vision rather than short-term political games.
The Slow Death of Local Authority Power
One of the major themes of The Winding Stair is the slow but steady erosion of local government power. Brooke details how once-powerful councils have been stripped of their autonomy, with Westminster controlling an overwhelming majority of local funding. The result? Councils struggle to deliver basic services like road maintenance, libraries, and public amenities, as their budgets are swallowed by rising social care costs.
Westminster Scandal and Political Power Plays
No discussion of Sir Rodney Brooke’s career would be complete without the infamous Westminster Council housing scandal under Dame Shirley Porter. As the Chief Executive, Brooke found himself at the centre of one of the most notorious cases of political gerrymandering in modern Britain. Porter’s controversial policies, designed to manipulate voter demographics by relocating working-class residents, ultimately led to a historic £42.5 million surcharge. The tale of power, corruption, and political recklessness highlighted how local government can be misused and why accountability matters.
The Legacy of Local Leadership
Despite the challenges, Brooke remains an advocate for local democracy, praising the dedication of councillors across the country. He highlights how, for all its flaws, local government remains one of the most direct forms of political engagement. Councillors, unlike national politicians, live among the people they serve, facing their constituents daily. The book, and the conversation with Baroness Barker, makes a compelling case for why local government needs not just respect, but real reform.
Why This Book Matters Now
With local councils facing financial crises and political pressures greater than ever, The Winding Stair is more than a memoir – it is a wake-up call. Through anecdotes ranging from historic local laws to the Yorkshire Ripper investigation, Brooke paints a vivid picture of what local government was, what it has become, and what it still could be.
Whether you’re a policy enthusiast, a political insider, or just someone curious about how decisions in your town are made, this episode of Baroness Barker’s Book Club is not to be missed.
Click below to watch the full episode of Baroness Barker’s book club.
