"Is the state really the problem?" This is the question the Fabian Society is taking to the Compass conference this Saturday. As the coalition government implements its ideological commitment to a small state, Labour is now questioning its previous commitment to big government. From 'Blue Labour' to the Purple Book, voices and thinkers across the Labour movement are offering critiques of the state, emphasising localism and choice.
In the midst of all of this the Fabian Society continues to be an advocate for a crucial role for the state. A state that empowers and supports is central to the commitment to fairness and equality that has marked our history. There are limits to what central government can do, but it would be foolish to think local government can take on the role that we expect the state to fulfil.
Local government faces many challenges in this climate. It is both extolled as an agent of localism yet is the deliverer of frontline cuts. In this new small state society local government has expectations set by the coalition that are coupled with, and undermined by, the slashing of their budgets. This is exacerbated by the devolving of responsibility for many services previously provided by central government. We elect and pay MPs to make these decisions; it should not be our overstretched local authorities that take full responsibility for them.
What the localism argument so often ignores is that people identify beyond just their immediate vicinity. As Britons we are used to layers of identity, what the anti-statists do is reduce this to its most basic level.
Whether you're from Brighton or Burnley there are institutions that unite us all, institutions that voters across the political divide believe are best owned by the state. The furore over the forest sell-off and discontent over privatising the Post Office spoke to people as British citizens. When asked to pick up the tab for these, locally, people resolutely said that they already owned these great institutions. Just as the 'big society' requires volunteers doing work that their taxes previously paid for, every day people see these programmes for what they are, a con.
An all-conquering focus on local choice can lead to deeply unfair outcomes. The NHS postcode lottery is something that would be replicated and intensified if we devolve all responsibility to local authorities. An over-emphasis on "choice" can result in good schools and hospitals flourishing while those that fail are left behind without any real attempt to drive up standards.
It is little surprise that the more affluent individuals and communities succeed under this model while the poorer become the losers of 'choice'. There was a time when the aim was that every school and hospital would be the first choice. At its worst this agenda plays communities off against each other undermining the shared experiences and identity we have with our fellow citizens across the country.
Sometimes the state has to make decisions that a particular local community may find unpalatable; the introduction of equalities legislation is a perfect example of this. In some areas it was deeply unpopular, but the government made the right call, it was the driver of fairness in a way that many councils cannot be expected to be. Indeed at times the state must make big choices on security, energy, the environment among others. All things that may be unpopular in any given local community but that nonetheless serve the greater good of our country.
My personal worldview speaks of a society where local government, charity and the individual has freedom and responsibility in equal measure. Central to this must be a state that empowers, drives up standards and accepts the responsibility for the tough decisions.
The state is not always right, but nor is local government. The state can look too broadly, and local communities too narrowly. Therefore the dynamic between state and local government, their ability to hold each other to account and check the actions of the other should not be discounted.
An excess or deficiency of either would not serve our communities best. It should not be controversial to defend the state, but simply common sense.
James Hallwood is events manager at the Fabian Society. He is running a session entitled 'Is the state really the problem?' at the Compass conference in London on 25 June.
This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. Join the local government network for more like this direct to your inbox.
