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DEVOLUTION AND REGIONALISM
IN THE UK
REPORT OF
THE LA POLICY ADVISORY GROUP
1 Setting the Scene
The Labour Government
elected in 1997 will be seen as one driving forward constitutional reform.
It reversed the opting out of Britain from the Social Chapter; it signed the
European Convention on Local Government; it enacted the Human Rights Act incorporating
the European Convention of Human Rights into English and Scots law; it passed
a (criticised) Freedom of Information Act in England and Wales and a similar
bill is being considered in Scotland; and started on the reform of the House
of Lords. Important reforms have been undertaken in local government and the
National Health Service as well.
Grasping the devolution
and regionalism agenda needs to be put into this reforming context. In the
case of Scotland and Wales it is about giving political recognition to nationhood
and takes up the unfinished Labour Party agenda of 1979. The situation in regard
to Northern Ireland is more sensitive, but the Assembly not only restores many
powers of self-governance to the people of Northern Ireland but also provides
a mechanism where the divisions within Northern Ireland society can be mediated
and common purpose found. The least developed part of this agenda are the
eight English regions with Regional Chambers and Regional Development Agencies
whose Boards are appointed by Ministers and are accountable to Parliament.
Current indications suggest that a Labour government, if re-elected, would
progress with plans to introduce regional assemblies where a clear mandate
can be shown. London already has a mayor and an elected Greater London Assembly.
In more general terms
the devolution and regionalism programme is about re-engaging the citizenry
with the political process; bringing decision-making closer to the people;
promoting transparency and accountability in government; celebrating diversity
and plurality in governance; and modernising government and the political process
to meet the needs of the 21st century. It is part of redefining
the relationship of the citizen to the state, responsibilities as well as rights,
and encouraging a “stakeholder” society where the energies and talents of both
new and old “estates” of the realm – private, public and voluntary sectors
– are harnessed together to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
2.
The new consitutional framework 
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