We need a revolution in how we make political decisions
3 min read
Powers repatriated from Brussels after Brexit must bypass Westminster and go directly to the regions if the country is to ‘take back control’, says metro mayor Ben Houchen
Like most people in Britain, you’re almost certainly bored of the debate around Brexit. And like most people in politics, you’ve definitely had your fill of articles on why the UK’s regions need more and how London gets everything.
But this piece won’t be an attempt to shape Brexit in the interests of an industry or sector. Nor will it be another vague request from a regional politician asking for more investment – although we do need that too. Instead, I’m calling for a revolution in how we as a nation make political decisions.
When the people of my region, the Tees Valley, overwhelmingly voted to leave the European Union, we did so to take back control. We knew what we were voting for, and that was to have more power over those who govern us.
Putting it bluntly, Brexit won’t feel like Brexit if we take power back from Brussels just to give it to almost equally remote politicians and civil servants in London.
The other overarching theme in British politics today, certainly outside of London, is devolution. Regions like Scotland and Wales have successfully benefited and, despite top-heavy parliamentary structures, built on devolved powers. Now is the turn of the English regions.
We are still one of the most centralised countries in the world. Our government takes responsibility for many things controlled by regional, state and city governments in many other nations.
Conveniently, if perhaps accidentally, the return of powers and budgets from Brussels coincides with the rise of devolved regions and metro mayors. In short, we can bypass Westminster and directly empower the regions, or at least those that have opted to take responsibility and directly elect a mayor.
In practice, the first practical step the government can take is to make sure its proposed “shared prosperity fund” is at least equal to the £2.4bn that the UK currently draws from the European structural funds and match-funding from the Treasury.
The second is to devolve proportionate amounts of this money to mayoral authorities, placing it much nearer to the electorate and their priorities.
It may seem like a big step for central government to devolve responsibility for such a large budget, but taking back control means taking back responsibility. This is a challenge my fellow mayors and I are ready for.
The success of the London mayoralty, especially under Boris Johnson, to attract serious investment in schemes like Crossrail 2, and for metro mayors to attract public and private cash for projects in their areas, shows we have the capability, capacity and democratic accountability. Rather than disparaging London for its success, it is in the interest of the government to empower other regions to fly so high.
Devolution of the shared prosperity fund could also encourage more regions, such as Cornwall and Yorkshire, to sign on the dotted line and seal their own devolution deals. This would not only help the government to bring about devolution in other suitable areas but with the right incentives could turbocharge its flagship northern powerhouse project.
In the 1980s, the shareholder revolution gave many ordinary people a stake in the private sector for the first time; by moving political power closer to the people we can do the same for public services. In essence, Brexit plus devolution could equal a redefinition of how the individual views the state, learning from the mistakes of the Brussels era, and creating a relationship fit for the 21st century.
Ben Houchen is the Conservative mayor for Tees Valley
PoliticsHome Newsletters
Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.
