DevoConnect held its annual summer debate recently, seeing a lively discussion about the future of devolution. Some 21 million Britons now live in areas with a metro mayor – easily outnumbering the 17 million who voted for Brexit. Devolution can – and perhaps must – help people to ‘take back control’ post-Brexit.

Jim McMahon pointed out there is just one Northern MP in the cabinet and evidence that the North is a victim of a disinterested government with a regional ‘democratic deficit’. Cuts to public services have made people’s lives incredibly difficult – allowing regions to spend their own money could reverse this damage. He said there is too much pressure placed on council tax and business tax at present, so local and regional governments must demand more financial support from Westminster. Labour would conduct a proper review of councils’ funding and create extended ‘neighbourhood plans’ to solve this.