What has over-centralisation meant for the pandemic response?

Vicky Seddon, Unlock Democracy

Writing in early June, George Monbiot skillfully wove together the story of how the different threads of powers exclude the public, in a piece about Britain's claims to being a functioning democracy being only skin deep. But there was one crucial component missing - that of the centralisation of power away from our localities: towns, cities, regions. That has been happening for decades with no sign of abatement. 

Our experience in the pandemic shows the obviousness of the disaster that this is. For example, the need to use existing local structures for contact tracing has been dismissed in favour of a large contract being given to Serco, a private sector company which has no experience of such work and so has had to set up from scratch, recruit staff who need to be trained, and then operationalise the scheme. So we have delays and confusion just when we need swift and effective action. Overall: a not-fit-for-purpose process.

Local authorities have been starved of cash, so that they are forced to concentrate on their statutory obligations instead of the multiplicity of other local needs. They have also had their powers restricted and obligations imposed, which prioritise central Government demands. Much of their capacity has been sucked out.

The Government has refused to inform, consult, plan, and coordinate with local authorities and regional health structures in dealing with Covid-19.  Instead, they have worked with their pals in the private sector,  putting ideology before the nation’s interests. And as Monbiot describes, our structures of governance do not give voters sufficient tools to challenge this: the Conservatives have a stonking majority in Parliament despite gaining only 44% of votes in the 2019 general election.

A different approach to government is needed, which respects and empowers citizens, and which delivers a constitutional settlement that enables us to act in the interests of us all, not the few. Local empowerment must be part of that.