Portrait of Keir Starmer
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Keir Starmer on Devolution

Actively pursuing English devolution (strong)

TL;DR

Keir Starmer's government is pursuing a significant expansion of devolution, particularly in England, while maintaining UK unity.

Key Points

  • The government has committed to extending devolution to all parts of England, aiming for a new standard devolution framework in law.

  • Devolved leaders in the Welsh parliament wrote to the Prime Minister expressing concern over the UK government operating in devolved areas and failing to devolve further functions, such as policing and justice.

  • The government established the Council of the Nations and Regions to reset relations with Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast, with a reported positive shift in partnership approach.

Summary

Keir Starmer's Labour government has made the rebalancing of power and implementing a coherent devolution settlement across England a central part of its governing agenda, promising a 'devolution revolution' that moves power away from Westminster. A key action has been the progression of English devolution deals, with plans to widen, deepen, and entrench these arrangements, including implementing a standard devolution framework into law and simplifying the funding system for mayoral authorities. The government has made welcome progress toward extending devolution to all parts of England, placing several areas on a fast track for devolution under a priority programme, aiming to increase the percentage of the population covered by mayoral devolution.

However, the pursuit of this agenda has been characterized by some commentators as 'constitutional timidity,' with proposed steps described as small rather than bold, especially when compared to earlier ambitions, such as those arising from the Commission on the UK's Future. Furthermore, relations with established devolved nations have faced friction; Labour members in the Welsh parliament have accused the UK government of actively rolling back existing devolution arrangements through Whitehall-led, devolved matters, like town centre funding, while simultaneously failing to devolve further functions to Wales. The emphasis on large-scale local government reorganisation in England risks stalling devolution progress, leading to criticisms that the focus has shifted from granting power to centralizing council structures.

Key Quotes

sees devolution as a means to an end. To empower. To democratise. And to deliver social justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keir Starmer's main policy direction is to advance a 'devolution revolution,' primarily focused on extending and deepening devolved powers across England via mayoral deals and new legal frameworks. He views this as key to delivering economic growth and democratizing decision-making away from Westminster. While committed to this expansion in England, his government also seeks to manage relations with the existing devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The perception is that the government's pace on devolution has slowed since entering office, leading to accusations of 'constitutional timidity' compared to earlier campaign promises. While the core ambition for English devolution remains, internal party criticism suggests that the focus has shifted, with Welsh Labour members accusing the administration of rolling back existing devolved arrangements.

In the past, Keir Starmer emphasized the need to renew the case for the Union through devolution, stating it is a means to empower and democratize, and supported a UK-wide constitutional commission. Regarding Scotland, he has committed to arguing against a second independence referendum, while in Wales, his government faces criticism for direct funding that overrides devolved responsibilities and for delays in promised further transfers of power.

Sources6

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.