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In a controversial White Paper, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner set out plans to revolutionise the existing organisation of local government. It has faced much backlash since its announcement with the body representing district councils warning it could spark ‘turmoil’, and dissolve local decision-making. Furthermore, it begs the question in a climate of apathy from the public towards politics, will this mean less ground level entry and engagement from newcomers into politics?
What do Rayner’s plans entail?
What ITV called the ‘Devolution Revolution’, would merge areas where there are smaller district councils and county councils, to make one unitary council. These unitary councils would be led by a regional mayor. This effectively centralises local powers to a regional level, by abolishing the existing distribution of responsibilities. As it stands it allocates bin collection, parks, and local planning to the district councils. With road maintenance, schools, and libraries the responsibility of the county councils. Rayner claims that these policies would end the ‘micromanaging’ from the central government on local authorities. However, it appears it could be simply transferring its ‘micromanaging’ powers to the new regional leaders.
What are the risks?
It is safe to say that Labour’s introduction into government has been met with some resistance, with Ipsos reporting the overall dissatisfaction with government remains at 70%. Whilst there has been cries for Labour to take a radical approach to reverse these opinion polls, reshuffling the lower levels of government may not be the answer. The evidence of the previous implementation of this idea by the Conservatives in North Yorkshire, do not indicate higher efficiency. In fact, Daniel Martin from ‘The Telegraph’, reported that constituents from the North Yorkshire town Selby, have had to travel up to 50 miles to get to their local council, now in Northallerton.
ITV interviewed the public in Birmingham to receive their feedback on the policy, many appeared uninspired. One man even noted that he felt as though cities such as Lichfield, where he lives would be merged with Tamworth council and become less of a priority. Unfortunately for Labour, it appears he is not alone with this sentiment, with councils expressing their concerns over the changes. Hannah Dalton, the Vice Chairwomen of District Councils’ Network, warned these merges could lead to far less funding on regeneration and local high streets.
Whilst many have noted of the bureaucratic risks, it seems there may be a further unintended risk to this merger. That is the policy could eradicate the pipeline of people gaining interest in politics in one fell swoop. Citizens often feel the positive effects of politics at a local level, as it provides them opportunities for engagement. It can be little things, such as being able to contribute to local planning or seeing the local initiatives in your local park. However, if your local authorities can lay up to 50 miles away, the sense of alienation of authorities may grow. It also begs the question of if this could harm future generations from having a direct and local route into politics.
It is certain that in an age of growing apathy for politics, removing the public’s one reachable contact to government is surely counter-intuitive.
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