Sometimes it is hard to be optimistic about the ability of our national Government machine to govern, but here are three reasons to be cheerful.
Firstly, the worse things get, the more radical the reform options on the table. Consensus can build on the growing recognition that something drastic must change.
Until recently, our uniquely centralised system – of interest to a few keen observers – is now attracting wider attention. It’s obvious that too much Whitehall control is perpetuating regional inequality. The ‘begging bowl culture’ of competitive local growth funding is so dysfunctional that calls for more ambitious single pot funding and proper fiscal devolution to boost local autonomy are gaining real traction. And as a land-grabbing Treasury can’t help overreaching, questions about the damaging effects of its dominant orthodoxy will get an increasingly receptive audience.
Secondly, the political landscape is wide open. This means there is a real opportunity for big reforms which are capable of responding. The outcome of the next General Election is far from certain, but our politics is currently dominated by a governing party increasingly concerned with its legacy and an Opposition party looking for a bold new approach. Both are rhetorically committed to devolution, so there is lots to play for.
Finally, many of the solutions to the big challenges facing our country are already apparent locally, they are just overlooked by the Westminster Bubble. Where communities and practitioners work together bringing their respective insights to bear, they demonstrate how trust can be built, prevention embedded and inequality addressed.
Inspiration for deeper system change abounds: from GPs supporting social networks which enhance wellbeing and reduce hospital pressures, to the councils achieving impact by opening up to community participation to set priorities and design services. Politicians and officials need to understand this and reflect on their role blocking or enabling these community-powered approaches. Radically reducing Whitehall-reinforced siloes and providing long-term funding so partners can invest in what works locally would be a good start.
There is hope. We just need to be a bit more creative in finding it.
Jessica Studdert is deputy chief executive at New Local
@jesstud
