AS part of the 9/11 commemorations it was good to have Tony Blair spell out how we might defeat the terror threat presented by radicalised Muslims.

We would overcome it, Mr Blair declared firmly, by demonstrating that we have “a better idea... a way of life based on openness, democracy, freedom and the rule of law”.

Take a deep breath. Few would deny that the form of government that underpins our western way of life is preferable to systems that deny rights to women, make religious observance more or less compulsory and rigorously suppress dissent against the state.

Yes, we’ve much to feel thankful for, even proud of.

But have you known any British government that doesn’t practise such dark arts as burying bad news, telling half-truths and, at times, blatantly lying? Or one where decision- making isn’t influenced at least as much, probably more, by behind-the-scenes lobbying by powerful self-interest groups as by the will of the people?

Our next government that doesn’t brazenly break a promise will be the first. What happened to Tony Blair’s promised referendum on Europe? Of course, no referendum on any topic will ever be held unless, or until, the government of the day is confident of getting the result it wants. Democracy in action.

Hurrah.

Governments also commonly talk one way and act another. Currently going through Parliament is a Localism Bill, trumpeted as handing back power to communities. But under it, they will be allowed to choose either the amount of growth specified in the official neighbourhood plan, or more. They will not be free to choose less growth. Another triumph for democracy.

Meanwhile, a major upheaval of our planning laws, virtually unleashing a free-for-all outside protected areas, is also on the cards.

But the document announcing the changes was published only when Parliament went into its summer recess, and a consultation period ends in the middle of next month.

The impression given by every British government, at least to the present writer, is that it regards the public as a nuisance. While espousing ideals of democracy, a la Tony Blair, they seek to frustrate democracy for their own convenience. My view might be an extreme, but I sometimes think that our governments would be as secretive as the old Soviet Union if they could get away with it.

Certainly, at general elections MPs, especially those of high rank, always seem surprised by what they hear on the doorsteps. So each election brings a promise to listen more to the people. But the old practices are soon evident. It’s getting on for a century since GK Chesterton, reviewing our various lords and masters down the ages, concluded: “We are the people of England and we have not spoken yet.”

Having watched successive governments hand ever more power to faceless bureaucrats in Europe, without inviting our opinion since 1975, we seem less likely to than ever.

SAID to be intending to retire as Archbishop of Canterbury eight years early next year, Dr Rowan Williams will not be jobless.

A Cambridge college is believed to be creating a professorship to enable Dr Williams to slip back into academia. How nice. Shame someone can’t open a new coal mine specially to re-engage the host of North-East miners thrown on to the scrapheap.