Labour has promised a major shift of power away from London that would herald the “greatest era of English devolution in living memory”.
The party unveiled a blueprint on Monday for substantial reforms to British politics, including abolishing the House of Lords and handing powers over issues including transport and culture to towns and cities. At the launch of the report of Labour’s commission on the UK’s future, headed by former prime minister Gordon Brown, Sir Keir Starmer told an audience in Leeds that people are being held back by a “broken model” that “hoards power in Westminster”.
Kim McGuinness, the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, said that the changes would put an end to a “‘cap in hand’ approach which sees the views of an unelected official in Westminster worth more than the views of the residents in the regions”. She added: "The next Labour Government will pave the way for the greatest era of English devolution in living memory, taking power out of London and back into the hands of the regions. That's why today's Future of the UK report by Keir Starmer and Gordon Brown is so vitally important if we are to create real change.
