Rebooting regionalism: an essay
Think tank: Reform
Author(s): Simon Kaye
February 6, 2025
This report from UK think tank Reform makes the case for the strategic regional tier that would be required to unlock the full potential of devolution.
England’s approach to regional governance is at a crossroads. While devolution has made significant strides, with the expansion of Combined Authorities and metro mayors, the system remains fragmented and incomplete.
The 2024 English Devolution White Paper seeks to establish a universal regional tier of ‘Strategic Authorities’ across the country, but its plans risk entrenching a system that will result, in many places, in a tier of government that is regional in name only. Many strategic authorities will ultimately be too small-scale, underpowered, and constrained by outdated governance models. This will mean a system that is limited in its ability to drive economic growth, improve public services, and shift power away from Whitehall.
Rebooting Regionalism makes the case for the genuinely strategic regional tier that would be required to unlock the full potential of devolution. Crucially, this would mean adapting the regional system to suit the specific needs of different areas.
