Why do Labour councils not pass illegal budgets? Because it would be irresponsible, unsustainable, and damaging to communities – and their electorates would not stand for it. But it would also mean a Whitehall takeover of local services – services that Labour parties around the country believe are better in local hands.
It is a logic that extends to increasing support for devolution. A belief that many of the best decisions are made close to the people they impact. And while there are a range of views on the details of potential devolution settlements, there is growing consensus that the status quo cannot continue.
Because it is a status quo which poses serious challenges for the regions: low growth outside London, underinvestment in regional infrastructure, an unbalanced housing market, lower productivity in the regions, and an urgent need to address the skills gaps that exist in many areas.
So why devolution? Do local councils want more power locally because they are Labour-run but the government is Conservative? Well, while that might be one reason, Labour’s support for devolution must be more fundamental and extend to a future where there are Labour ministers running the Westminster show too.
Ultimately, the United Kingdom – and in particular England – is incredibly centralised, and our local leaders do not have control over many of the levers that could be used to make their areas thrive. Labour should recognise that decisions are usually best made as close as possible to those that they will impact on – and Westminster is seen as both physically and intellectually removed from many communities.
Labour must also see that our current economy does not work for the regions; that local economies are best driven locally, by local politicians in consultation with their communities and local business. Growth is best achieved not by someone in Westminster with a page of statistics but locally, with those with a vested interest in success working together. And with local councils cooperating rather than competing for funds from Westminster, and risking a race to the bottom.
Devolution is also the only way that public sector reform will happen in a way that will allow savings to be made while maintaining frontline services. While change brings challenges, it is also a key opportunity for innovation in service design and delivery. As the Tories dramatically reduce public spending, bringing services together will ensure that people’s lives continue to be transformed by the public sector.
Finally, devolution is also a key opportunity to bridge the gap between the public and politicians, allowing people to have influence over the area that they live in. That is one of the reasons why it is so important that devolution be a political process, rather than merely a bureaucratic change in who holds power. Labour should be strongly arguing for a wider debate about our local democracy and the political role than local representatives hold. We should also be arguing for local engagement in devolution, and discussing how it can make decision-making more representative of our communities.
In return for greater power, local politicians must be bold in their vision for their areas. They must also take greater responsibility – no more blaming others for unpopular decisions. And they must look at further devolution – from regional bodies to councils, and from councils down to councillors and local communities.
In short, a centralised state and London-centric economy has not worked for the English regions – it is time, therefore, to change the system, get power out of Westminster, and allow cities and counties to take control of their own futures. To quote Jeremy Corbyn, ‘the north of England has to take back power from our centralised state. The centralisation of our government has seen the north lose out time and time again. This cannot continue’.
And as we all know – the north is anything outside the M25(!)
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Nicola Heaton is a councillor on Nottingham city council and was parliamentary candidate for Mid Derbyshire in 2015. She tweets @NicolaHeaton
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