ABSTRACT. Harlow considers some classical administrative law responses to changing techniques of public administration. Douence affirms that following major reforms between 1982 and 1986, the local government system continued to develop with successive touches on the helm, but with no strong guiding hand. de Vries holds that many people see a continuing trend towards governance and away from government, and shows that trends last only for so long. McEldowney contends that local government has been subject to intensive change and extensive legislation since the 1970s and the government of Mrs Thatcher intended to reduce public expenditure.