Devolving powers from Whitehall can boost democracy

The Electoral Reform Society has said that with a renewed discussion around devolving decisions away from Whitehall, there is an opportunity to address the lack of democracy across England.

A new report states that too often any transfer of decision making-powers in England has come as an afterthought and where reforms have taken place these have been driven from the centre and done little to genuinely empower local government or the communities in which people live.

The Democracy Made in England paper argues that England remains one of the most centralised nations in Europe as measured by the local control of resources and the over-dependence on Whitehall decision making.

A survey by the Electoral Reform Society of almost 800 local authority representatives found that two-thirds feel they lack the powers to properly represent the needs of their local community. Questions remain unanswered about how relations between the centre and localities can be better structured in favour of local decision making.

The Electoral Reform Society argues that, despite a much-discussed Levelling Up agenda, a ‘Westminster-knows-best’ approach remains, where decisions are taken in Whitehall as to what power should be given away, not in the communities that want them.

The report also suggests that, in England, devolution should not stop at the town hall door. As the rise of mutual aid groups during the pandemic has shown, ordinary citizens are willing and capable to make decisions and determine local priorities. Local government in England should ensure there are spaces for citizens to be heard and to influence the decisions that most directly affect them.