THE drive towards an authoritarian state continued at the weekend as the Tories announced legislation to prevent elected local authorities from pursuing ethical investment policies.

The more you think about it, the more outrageous this is. Far from the picture painted by Communities and Local Government Minister Greg Clark and Cabinet Office Minister Matthew Hancock, this has nothing to do with preventing “militant”authorities from “undermining our international security” — whatever that is.

In fact, this legislation will force local authorities to invest in the arms trade and in production in illegal settlements in Palestine, as long as these investments secure a decent rate of return — which no doubt they do.