Contributor(s): Tony Travers | In the first of a weekly series, Professor Conor Gearty talks to Tony Travers - Advisor to the House of Commons, Communities and Local Government Select Committee and Board Member of the Local Government Network – about the issues surrounding local government. What it should be empowered to control? Where are the pitfalls? How prone are local officials to corruption? All these issues form part of the Constitution UK project – an open internet forum to share ideas, debate topics and help shape new ways of thinking.