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In the Grip of Whitehall? The Effects of Party Control on Local Fiscal Policy in the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Lockwood, Ben

    (University of Warwick)

  • Francesco Porcelli

    (University of Bari)

  • James Rockey

    (University of Birmingham)

Abstract

This paper uses an instrumental variable approach based on close elections to evaluate the effect of political parties on local fiscal policy in England and Wales over the period 1998-2016. Our main finding is that political control of the council (by Labour, Conservative or Liberal Democrat parties) has no effect on total expenditure, the composition of expenditure, the property tax rate (council tax per band D property) or total council tax revenue. Thus, our results confirm the widely expressed belief that centrally imposed constraints on local government fiscal policy (rate-capping, and more recently, compulsory referenda) hold local government fiscal policy in a tight grip.

Suggested Citation

  • Lockwood, Ben & Francesco Porcelli & James Rockey, 2022. "In the Grip of Whitehall? The Effects of Party Control on Local Fiscal Policy in the UK," QAPEC Discussion Papers 13, Quantitative and Analytical Political Economy Research Centre.
    • Handle: RePEc:wrk:wqapec:13
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Freier, Ronny & Odendahl, Christian, 2015. "Do parties matter? Estimating the effect of political power in multi-party systems," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 310-328.
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    3. Irma Clots-Figueras, 2012. "Are Female Leaders Good for Education? Evidence from India," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 4(1), pages 212-244, January.
    4. Hyytinen, Ari & Merilã„Inen, Jaakko & Saarimaa, Tuukka & Toivanen, Otto & Tukiainen, Janne, 2018. "Public Employees as Politicians: Evidence from Close Elections," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 112(1), pages 68-81, February.
    5. Jon H. Fiva & Olle Folke & Rune J. Sørensen, 2018. "The Power of Parties: Evidence from Close Municipal Elections in Norway," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 120(1), pages 3-30, January.
    6. Hansen, Bruce E, 1997. "Approximate Asymptotic P Values for Structural-Change Tests," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, vol. 15(1), pages 60-67, January.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Party Control ; Grants ; Government Spending ; Taxation JEL Classification: H70 ; H71 ; D72;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H70 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - General
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior

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