Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister of the U.K., has made clear her plans to shift the political framework of Northern England significantly by committing to complete devolution across the region. This initiative aims to empower local governments and relinquish some of the centralized control previously wielded by Whitehall.
Speaking to attendees at the Labour Party conference held recently in Liverpool, Rayner underscored the importance of this movement as part of the wider political strategy to bolster economic growth throughout the North. She stated firmly, "Northerners will no longer be dictated to from Whitehall," pledging to hand power back to areas such as Lancashire, Hull, Greater Lincolnshire, and East Yorkshire.
This promise follows recent advancements, including the completion of devolution across Yorkshire, as confirmed by Rayner. The Labour government is also on track to finalizing settlements for various areas, promoting local governance and decision-making geared toward regional needs.
Reflecting on the current governmental approach, Rayner criticized the previous Conservative administration, highlighting, "For 14 years, the over-centralised Westminster-knows-best attitude of the Tories left millions of people left behind, neglected, ignored and invisible." She believes this centralization has stunted the growth of the British economy, making it necessary to redefine how localities interact with national governance.
Rayner's vision centers around what she terms the 'devolution revolution.' She elaborated, "This Labour government will leverage the potential of our economy, returning power and putting communities at the forefront of decision-making. This way, innovation and growth can flourish everywhere, not just in London or the affluent South." Her plans include the introduction of landmark legislation to facilitate local powers, reflecting Labour’s manifesto pledges made during the last general election.
Quote on local autonomy highlights her belief in the efficacy of local leaders: "Our devolution revolution will shift power away from Westminster, reigniting the fires of our economy," she said, emphasizing the need for trusting those who understand their communities best. She has witnessed firsthand how decentralization can instill local pride and stimulate growth, citing her constituents' satisfaction with increased autonomy for Manchester. Rayner stated, "We have the power to do things in a Manchester way, but we want to support other communities to do things their own way." This analogy highlights her commitment to tailoring solutions to fit local contexts.
During the Labour conference, the broader agenda will also address economic recovery, especially after the £22 billion gap identified within the public finances left by the Conservatives. This foundation is considered necessary for rebuilding Britain, offering hope for more sustainable local economies driven by localized oversight.
Notably, the King’s Speech earlier this year indicated the government's commitment to introducing English Devolution Bill, which is anticipated to spark new discussions among local leaders seeking additional autonomy. This bill will require the government to take seriously requests from municipalities eager for greater control over their resources and decisions. Labour’s focus extends to specific geographical areas to establish devolved powers scheduled for evaluations and approvals.
The shift promises to be substantial, with Rayner asserting, "This is about restoring trust in politics and respecting people with skin in the game to make decisions for their own areas." This sentiment resonates with many who feel disenfranchised by distant decision-makers who lack intimate knowledge of local issues.
Rayner has already seen the positive effects of devolution on local policies around Greater Manchester, where Mayor Andy Burnham has been active in promoting localized economic strategies. He has advocated for control over Employment Support budgets and plans to incorporate local rail services under the Bee Network framework. Burnham’s efforts spotlight how local leaders can lead innovative initiatives when granted authority to do so.
At the Labour conference, attendees can expect announcements tied to funding for Investment Zones aimed at fostering economic sectors like advanced manufacturing and life sciences. Such financial backing is pivotal as it speaks to Labour's commitment to tangible support for regions moving forward under new devolutionary powers.
Overall, Angela Rayner's pledge to usher in rapid devolution across Northern England marks what she describes as irreversible changes to the way governance is approached, emphasizing localized control and development. Surely, as her passion reverberated through her speech, the effectiveness of this approach depends on how well it is received by local councils and communities eager to take charge of their destinies—arguably, this could open new avenues for the North of England's growth and development.
