As folk at Westminster, like many of us, head off on much-needed summer breaks, we can take stock of what a momentous couple of months it has been.
A new party in government is a once-in-a-generation event, judging by recent history.
Labour's new Cabinet have quickly shorn their shadow status, launching a lightning first few weeks getting manifesto commitments on stream and kicking off a multi-year Spending Review.
The shift in tone has been remarkable. We now have a local government minister who supports councils, a chancellor who recognises the value of the state and a whole government committed to pushing power out of Westminster.
A wave of Total Place-style pilots could use learning in real-time to rapidly roll out and mainstream, reflecting findings back into the centre to further catalyse reform
So far, so good. But the risk of raised expectations and impatience from the outside world is already apparent.
Deep structural socio-economic challenges have been ignored by national policy-makers for years. Services are at a tipping point. The new Government is as short on time as it is on money.
How to make progress? More lightning. Committing to multi-year funding is a welcome first step.
This headroom for longer-term public service planning should be backed up with further measures to make rapid progress. For example, by testing new ways of working that blur service boundaries to better meet identified local needs. Giving radical permission to frontline teams to work creatively with citizens. Sharing data on unequal outcomes with communities affected to mobilise and glean insight into system flaws.
A wave of Total Place-style pilots could use learning in real-time to rapidly roll out and mainstream, reflecting findings back into the centre to further catalyse reform.
There is enormous energy and hope out there – frustrated for too long by a disinterested Westminster. The Government has a chance to unleash power and collectively forge new routes to sustainability.
Jessica Studdert is interim chief executive at New Local
X – @jesstud
