English Devolution Bill: ‘central control is still the watchword’
Statement from Unlock Democracy reacting to publication of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
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Commenting on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill published today, Tom Brake, Director of Unlock Democracy, said:
“The Bill states that over-centralisation - England is one of the most centralised countries in Europe - is holding regions back. Yet the Government’s solution seems to be… more centralisation.
“Ministers have talked often about moving power down from Whitehall to the town hall, but this Bill will also - through the abolition of District Councils - shift huge powers upwards, away from communities, and will leave England even more centralised.
“The Government’s model of devolution, if you can even call it that, seems to be ‘do as we tell you, and you’ll be rewarded.’ This is not devolution in any meaningful sense. Devolution is not just about deciding in Whitehall what powers to reallocate - it’s about empowering communities to make their own decisions. This is decidedly not the path taken by ministers. Community empowerment, as defined by the Bill, will amount to a community right to buy an asset - this is welcome, but is a strictly limited form of empowerment. Central control is still the watchword of this Government’s approach to devolution. (1)
“Forced local government reorganisation is impractical in the short-term - given the time and resources required to implement it - and insecure in the longer-term. Public consent to these changes is far from a given - presumably this is why the Government is rushing through the limited consultation it is undertaking - and there is nothing to stop a new regime in Whitehall, with a different vision of local government, overhauling the system again.
“Notwithstanding the few positive steps the Government is taking - including increased revenue-raising powers for Mayors - devolution rests on shaky foundations. Powers given can be taken away. And communities on the ground remain locked out of decisions to determine how they are governed.”
Regarding the Bill’s provision to reintroduce the Supplementary Vote for Mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections, Mr Brake added:
“This is the first acknowledgement we’ve seen from the Government that First Past the Post is not fit for purpose in an age of multi-party politics. Mayoral elections should be just the first step.
“We saw two months ago mayors winning on just 25% of the vote thanks to First Past the Post. A return to SV will make sure mayors need broader public support to get elected.”
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
(1) The Bill contains measures to streamline the establishment and expansion of Strategic Authorities, and introduces a ministerial power to establish or expand an SA where local leaders have been unable to agree how to access devolved powers for their area. This ministerial power will also allow the Government to direct an SA to have a mayor. It further requires all local authorities to move to a leader and cabinet governance model, unless they already have a local authority mayor in place.