I AM sometimes asked why it is that the different levels of government don’t work more closely, especially when it comes to things like grass cutting.

However, I am never told by people that they long for the day when there is a local government reorganisation or the introduction of a new metro mayor.

It seems to me that the previous Tory government, under David Cameron, was out of step with public opinion, not just in promoting these ideas but on a range of different things.

If Mrs May wants to make her mark she should be bold enough to shelve the idea of local government reorganisation. It was never about devolution anyway. Giving new powers to a metro mayor and having a one-size-fits-all authority runs counter to my idea of localism, guided by locally elected councillors.

I would encourage all your readers to spend a few minutes responding to the consultation at www3.hants.gov.uk/servinghampshire.

For my part, I have suggested that all the time, energy and money spent on this project is a bit like arranging the deckchairs on the Titanic whilst we should be concentrating on steering away from the Brexit iceberg.

Councillor David Harrison Leader, New Forest District Liberal Democrats