The multiple strategies of the Local Government Association: partner, player and think-tank?

English The Local Government Association (LGA) is the national association for English local government. This article draws some conclusions about contemporary English central-local relations from the strategies and structures of the LGA. We test three models. The ‘partner’ model implies that the LGA is, or ought to be, in a trusting and equal relationship with the centre. The ‘bargaining’ model envisages a centre dependent on local government’s considerable resources and resigned to the necessity for negotiation and compromise. The ‘strong centre’ approach posits a central government with the autonomy to impose its policies without the need to enter into meaningful negotiations.