The power to do things differently
In the words of Bob Dylan, “the times they are a changing”. The Devolution White Paper may not sound like a best seller but it does warrant greater public attention and applause. It lays the foundations for full fat devolution and probably heralds the biggest change in how we are governed in a generation. Whilst the detail and the HOW? Is still hard to fathom, the prospect of completing the Devo Map in the North and a fully devolved England - with 30+ Metro Mayors and strategic authorities - is now in plain sight. If there is to be a devolution revolution there needs to be an agency which will inform and shape debate, one which understands what good devolution looks like, what it means, what it’s for and why devolution is the agency of change. That’s us!
Gordon Brown's UK Futures Commission (December 2022) New Britain presented a new vision for decentralisation, Lords reform and a radical devo shake up. The Devolution White Paper ticks a lot of Brown’s boxes on the need for public service reform and a devolution framework to devolve powers in all parts of England. The Devolution Bill, expected “before the Summer” has the potential to go further and faster to unlock growth and put money in people’s pockets.
The Devolution White Paper does not focus as much as it might on the role devolution can play in building trust and democratic renewal or why devolving power away from Westminster and Whitehall is quite simply a good thing. Regardless, it could be the game changer that Rachel Reeves and the country needs.
Without a doubt, not everyone will welcome plans for unitaries and strategic authorities or even like it but the devolution revolution IS happening and mustn’t be slowed, derailed or disrupted. Devo Agency is on a mission to generate understanding and advocacy for devolution in all parties and across all geographies.
Labour in power is about mission led Government and the promise of change. We believe good devolution holds the key to unlocking growth and delivering change to the left behind people and places in all parts of England. How we are governed and how a Labour Government chooses where and how to give away powers to the regions is why we are creating Devo Agency. To date the devolution journey has been bumpy, long and successive governments have failed to get to their devo destination. Landing it is the BIG challenge for this Labour Government who promises change but preaches fiscal caution.
The Devo Agency believes that devolution can be the agency of change and devolution must be embraced and integral to the delivery of Labour's Growth mission. More devolution can deliver the change the country needs and build Britain's future back. The dividends, return on investment and social value will be high if the Government fully commits, lets go, gives away powers and supports local growth plans.
Devolution is about recognising that all local and regional economies are different. By devolving more power and control to local and regional leaders - who are best placed to come up with strategic plans for the areas they represent - the Labour Government can be recognised as an enabler to growth and realise the UK's full potential and maximise productivity.
There is a clear need for public service reform and to make better sense of who is responsible and accountable and for what. The future relationship between local, regional and national government - and where power lies and decisions are made in the context of the Devolution White Paper - begs many questions but the framework is broadly clear. A single settlement for devolved areas, greater powers and the potential fiscal devolution raise important questions about the future collective power of Metro Mayoral and Strategic Authorities and how they will be held to account centrally and democratically? Labour needs to have a plan for public service reform and a coherent framework which works in all parts of England - not just city regions - if they are to have any hope of delivering the change it promised on 4th July.
It is clear that there needs to be greater devo literacy - and advocacy - amongst those who are elected at local and national level if Labour’s is to complete the Devo map without delay. Understanding or signposting what devolution means and what a Metro Mayor is for - is now essential. We need greater clarity and advocacy and a new narrative which makes sense to - and is understood and supported by - the voting public. We have had proof of concept with some great Metro Mayors - but this is time for a sea change. To achieve change, boost growth and productivity requires a deeper and wider national debate about how devolution will work, fiscal devolution and future accountability and governance. How devolved regional economies with a bevy of powerful Labour Mayors - in the North or the Midlands - actually work with a Labour Government is a huge opportunity but very much work in progress.
Devo Agency will provide thought leadership and a forum to support, shape and inform the national debate on devolution.
