But the changes Labour did make were historic, and broadly beneficial.Power has also been devolved, of course, if with interruptions, to Northern Ireland.
Although healthcare is devolved to each of the UK's four nations, both the Scottish National party and Plaid Cymru have said in the leaders' debates that they share the Green party's anti-austerity approach to the NHS and would support it at Westminster.
"I call it the devolution of blame," says local Labour MP Cat Smith, "where the blame is devolved to the north of England – but the power and resources aren't.
The New York mayor spends more money than London's, where much of the power is devolved to the 32 London boroughs (plus the City of London), including schools.
In many countries, the responsibility for planning and delivery of health services is devolved to the subnational level.
By the late 12th century the metal mines were brought under the control of the Crown; operation of the tin mines was devolved to the Lord Warden of the Stannaries, and mining of other metals was directly controlled by the Crown as Mines Royal.
Inspired by that example, Ruth Kelly, the secretary for local government, suggested on June 26th that similar powers be devolved to eight of Britain's biggest cities and their hinterlands.Speaking to a conference on cities, Ms Kelly identified transport, housing, planning, and parts of the education system (a similar portfolio to Mr Livingstone's) as likely candidates for local control.
Even if all control of income tax were devolved to Scotland, the bulk of Holyrood's revenue would still come from Westminster.
The Houses of Commons and Lords exist largely unchanged, when 20 years ago political power was devolved to most parts of the UK, except England.
But a great many issues currently decided in Washington can well be devolved to lower levels of government, at least to a large degree.
