The Fabian Women’s Network’s Spring edition of Fabiana, its quarterly magazine, explores the issue of devolution. This offers the opportunity to voices from across the Labour movement to explore a range of different perspectives on how devolution has the potential to impact upon women, their lives and their communities.
We feature an article by Kate Green MP, shadow minister for women and equalities, which explores the potential devolution has for narrowing the gap and reducing inequality across Greater Manchester. An interview by Ellie Cumbo, who interviews shadow pensions minister Angela Rayner, also explores the strengths and potential pitfalls of devolution deals. Judith Blake, leader of Leeds city council, Sarah Hayward, leader of the London borough of Camden, and Nick Forbes, leader of the Local Government Association Labour Group and of Newcastle city council, all also highlight the potential benefits of devolution in terms of tackling inequality, delivering improved public services and supporting renewed investment and growth in their local areas.
But tempered with that are some words of caution. Beth Knowles, in her editorial, writes about the need for ‘demo-lution’ as well as devolution. Ensuring that excluded voices are able to participate and engage in a democratic debate about the future of the United Kingdom and their local areas is critical if the project is to achieve its intended goals and outcomes. The risk of excluding voices from the debate about devolution has been highlighted; whether that is through the exclusion of women leaders from a photoshoot with George Osborne in striking the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ devolution deal or through the exclusion of marginalised groups and communities from having a say about the services and the decisions that affect their lives – and is acknowledged as a challenge by all contributors.
Fabiana also dedicates space to reflecting introspectively about what devolution means for the Labour party; we feature an article from Alice Perry, National Executive Committee representative for local government, who considers what party reform might look like from within. And Rachel Rogers, a former police and crime commissioner candidate, explores the impact that devolution has had on approaches to policing and crime.
We are proud to also feature a particularly timely article by Sarah Ditum, of the New Statesman, exploring the impact of devolution on abortion law, and highlighting the importance of continuing to make the case for choice. This follows extensive media coverage of Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service’s decision to prosecute a woman who was unable to travel outside of Northern Ireland to procure an abortion.
We very much hope that you enjoy reading this magazine, which can be found online and downloaded for free.
We hope to hear your thoughts on the issue and the publication.
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Reema Patel is co-editor of Fabiana and a councillor in the London borough of Barnet. She tweets @ReemaSPatel