Roots.

Apparently there are plans afoot in East Anglia and Devon - and maybe other areas as well - to replace local district councils with large unitary authorities, and this is creating much local opposition. I've commented before on the folly of assuming that the "economies of scale" approach will necessarily work when it comes to provision of services, but the opposition also appears to be driven by a desire not to lose local identity. I can also relate to that - once upon a time, where I live was in Staffordshire, and then along came the artificially created West Midlands which swallowed everything up in its path. That was, and to a certain extent still is a cause of resentment round here, so my sympathies are very much with those who are trying to retain their individuality.