Incremental change and ‘subsidiarity’ should be the way forward for English devolution, argues Bob Neill
Devolution. It’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Along with the ongoing EU debate, it’s the hot topic in Westminster at the moment, and rightly so.
In fact, there is a nice interlinkage between these two pervasive themes that offers us food for thought: the idea of subsidiarity. It’s a term that is frequently used with Europe to describe the principle that decisions should be taken as close to the public as possible, without central, or, more specifically, Commission based, interference.
‘If it can be decided better in Britain, leave it alone’ is the chorus from Government departments across Whitehall. In this period of opportunity following the Scottish Referendum, local government needs vigorously to make the case for the same to apply within England: that window of opportunity will not be open indefinitely.
Want full article access?
Receive The MJ magazine each week and gain access to all the content on this website with a subscription.
Full website content includes additional, exclusive commentary and analysis on the issues affecting local government.
Already a subscriber? Login