Devolution gaps widen between regions
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has initiated a significant shift in the UK's political landscape by emphasizing fiscal devolution to England’s mayoral authorities. This move aligns with the core objective of his government: to rebalance power and resources that have been disproportionately concentrated in London and the southeast. A key component of this effort is the symbolic creation of No 10 North in Manchester, which represents Burnham’s vision for distributing administrative power. However, this approach does not extend uniformly across the entire UK, creating a clearer distinction between England and its devolved nations.
Recent local elections in Scotland and Wales proved to be a significant challenge for Labour and Burnham’s predecessor, Keir Starmer. The rise of progressive nationalist parties in these regions has shifted the political dynamics in the devolved nations, raising questions about how Burnham plans to navigate this new terrain. Initial interactions with John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth, the leaders of the Scottish and Welsh governments, have reportedly been constructive. Still, the prime minister must balance his belief in local empowerment with the need to respect the autonomy of these devolved administrations.
Local Discontent in Scotland and Wales
Burnham has argued that residents in cities like Dundee and Bangor feel as removed from their regional parliaments as they do from Westminster. While some may view this statement as an oversimplification, the broader implication is clear: the UK government cannot ignore or bypass devolved bodies when tackling regional issues. Starmer, in contrast, adopted a more confrontational stance, at times dismissing excessive deference to the governments in Edinburgh and Cardiff. This approach did not resonate well with voters in Scotland and Wales, highlighting the risks of not aligning with regional leadership.
The lack of consistency in devolution is most evident in Wales, where the Welsh government does not have the same policing powers as the mayoral authority in Greater Manchester, despite representing a population of similar size. If Burnham is to maintain a unified devolution strategy, he must address such discrepancies, which could undermine his credibility and effectiveness. The ongoing disputes over funding mechanisms, particularly the outdated Barnett formula, will further test his ability to foster cooperation between Westminster and the devolved governments.
Inconsistencies in Welsh Devolution
Adding to the complexity in Wales is the minority status of the Plaid Cymru government, which has yet to pass a budget and faces resistance from Welsh Labour. In such a tense environment, Burnham’s approach must remain focused on long-term goals.
One early confidence-building measure could involve repealing contentious provisions from the post-Brexit United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020. This law allows London to allocate funds across various policy areas, often bypassing local governments. Instead, Burnham could support devolved authorities in setting their own priorities by providing them with greater financial flexibility. The Institute for Government has advocated for this strategy, seeing it as a way to strengthen devolution while ensuring accountability.
Burnham’s Devolution Strategy
Devolution has been a central theme in Burnham’s political career and was instrumental in his rise to the prime ministership. His initial actions reflect the regional focus that propelled him to power, particularly in England. However, to fully realize the potential of devolution, he must extend this vision across the United Kingdom. By treating all regions with respect and fostering collaboration, Burnham can set a positive precedent for a more equitable distribution of power.