Whatever the outcome of the referendum next Thursday, it is patently clear that the present structure of local government within the UK is outdated, undemocratic and unresponsive to regional desires and needs.

Power is over-centralised in Westminster with local authorities having no financial clout to invest in or to leverage regional or local priorities.

Westminster sets the local councils’ budget through ‘capping’ and decides how and where the major slice of the budget is spent. Local authorities have become enablers rather than leaders.

Local parties in next year’s council elections will have very little scope to finance any local initiatives at all.

No wonder the turnout at local elections is so low.

So it is refreshing to see the extent of devolved powers Westminster is willing to cede to a Scottish Parliament in the event of a no vote.

The question is whether, after Thursday, Westminster will be willing, or indeed forced, to devolve responsibilities to English regions and whether Sussex politicians are up to the challenge to demand and accept change.

With devolved powers, votes will be meaningful, and who knows, may attract an 80% turnout at future local elections.

Peter Lewis King’s Road Lancing