Arianna Giovannini
Evidence on the need to re-set the system continues to pile up
This is the core of the centre’s problem: its lack of understanding of the huge untapped potential that could be unleashed if the local level was properly empowered and resourced, says Dr Arianna Giovannini.
Real levelling up requires real investment in our regions
The carousel of contradictory decisions on Northern Powerhouse Rail might serve the centre in an attempt to balance the books, but does nothing to boost growth or level up the country, says Dr Arianna Giovannini.
'Do as they say' devo must end
Central-local relations require reform before efforts at devolution and levelling up can truly work, writes Dr Arianna Giovannini.
Scrapping supplementary vote won't improve voting system
Interim director of IPPR North, Arianna Giovannini, says scrapping supplementary vote looks like a shrewd political move to make new inroads and gain mayoral offices than any attempt at improving the voting system.
A focus on areas with stronger leaders will not be good news for all places
What will the devolution agenda look like under Michael Gove, asks Arianna Giovannini? The cases of Ben Houchen and Andy Burnham are 'equally telling on what the way ahead might look like', she says.
Model routes to democracy
Dr Arianna Giovannini says Sheffield voters' decision to reject the strong leader model was a 'victory for democracy'. But Henri Murison rejects the case for committee decision-making while Cllr Tony Page argues for a hybrid approach.
Local government must retain its 'sovereignty'
Local government has been repeatedly reformed, reshaped and hollowed out, says Arianna Giovannini. 'It needs greater independence, financial autonomy and a clear place in our constitution.'
Levelling up resembles a jigsaw of disparate ‘pieces of policy’
Arianna Giovannini says there is a consistent lack of clarity about what levelling up means - and it also remains unclear what areas should be 'levelled up'. The Government needs to develop a clear vision and strategy for the long-term, she adds.
Communities should be at the heart of the recovery phase
Mayors in the North seem to have grasped the importance of the message that politics can speak to and connect with people in their day-to-day lives, says Dr Arianna Giovannini.
The politics of the ‘Red Wall’ is coming home to roost
There is nothing local or ‘place-sensitive’ in measures packaged in Whitehall and forced on to communities in the North, argues Arianna Giovannini.
COVID-19: A lesson from Italy
Dr Arianna Giovannini says that while Italy's approach to tackling COVID-19 is not perfect, its model 'can have a much more positive effect on policy decisions and crisis management than centralised, place-blind responses'.
A better place
The current crisis should become a reset moment - 'flipping centralisation on its head, so that recovery can lead to renewal', argues Dr Arianna Giovannini.
Devolution is still driven by a 'divide and rule' ethos
The North needs to be empowered and fairly funded, so it can take control of its own future and prosper. This isn’t radical, it’s essential – for the North and for the country, says Arianna Giovannini.
Creating a country that works for all
Arianna Giovannini of IPPR North says that whichever party emerges as the winner on 13 December should prioritise rebalancing our national economy - creating a country that works for everyone.
Where next for devolution?
The Government needs to turn its devolution vows into action, by showing that its renewed enthusiasm has solid foundations and is more than 'mere pork barrelling', says Arianna Giovannini.
A more ambitious devo agenda should have local government at its core
Local authorities are the backbone of democracy and should be at the core of the next phase of devolution, writes Arianna Giovannini. These principles should be ingrained in the devolution framework, she believes.