Devolution has featured prominently during the first weeks of the new Labour Government.
In one of his first engagements the Prime Minister met with all Metro Mayors and established a Council of Nations and Regions. Meanwhile Angela Rayner MP, Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government, has now written to all local leaders without a current devolution deal to set out the terms of this new government. The letter states that the government will be moving away from a deal based approach and will enshrine a presumption towards devolution, so places can take on new powers automatically if they meet certain conditions. A new devolution framework, setting out the new powers and flexibilities available, will be produced. (Note the speed at which this is done will signal the Government's commitment to change). Places will not be forced to take on a metro Mayor, although the letter makes clear there will be huge advantages in doing so. The King's Speech, included the introduction of an English Devolution Bill, which will give more powers to Metro Mayors to draft Local Growth Plans. With new devolution deals tailored to sensible economic geographies the Government will encourage places to come together in new combined county authorities.
The reality is that the East of England has lost ground in working towards a new devolved settlement. Disputes over geography and the perceived imposition of an elected leader has meant that many deals have not been done and the region has missed out. In 2016 the Conservative Government's plans for unifying three of its Counties was rejected. While the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has managed to stand above the parapet, with initiatives that continue to benefit its residents, the East as a whole is still feeling the effects of that decision. Where other regions have benefited from investment in their key transport infrastructure and industrial sectors, we have been desperately trying to make our voices heard in Westminster. We are one of the biggest net contributors to the UK's coffers, but we are still not able to attract the appropriate attention that can help us advance even further.
The details of the Government's plans remain to be seen, of course, but it appears that we will now be given another shot at making it work in our favour. Strong Local Leadership with a long term strategic view has proven to be effective. Governments do appreciate a coherent narrative; one that clearly showcases why it is both important and beneficial to invest into specific places and projects. Such a narrative needs to include hard facts, and a vision of a future where the positive effects of a Government decision can be seen and appreciated by businesses and communities. Striking the right balance between hyper-local issues and wider regional interests is important in this regard. But the principle of subsidiarity - allowing powers to sit at the most appropriate level - will deliver this. Some matters relating to infrastructure and transport will require regional attention.
The East has many sectors that we can be proud of: Farming and Horticulture, Agritech, Life Sciences, Green Energy, Advanced Manufacturing and Construction - most of them were included directly or indirectly in the King's Speech. We know that we can do even more to grow these industries and further spread their economic and societal benefits across every part of the East. We just need to realise that we are all part of the same region, and that we have to be actively part of it, advocating for it, and making our case at every turn along the way.
A regional devolution deal can go miles in that direction. Let's not miss our second chance.