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High-speed rail is the best argument yet for elected regional government High-speed rail is the best argument yet for elected regional government
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David Cameron’s passionate support for high-speed rail has extended to the north. It follows George Osborne’s espousal of HS3 – a new high-speed, east-west link across the north that would stimulate a “northern powerhouse”. One of the unintended consequences of the announcement, coming shortly after the Scottish referendum, has been to stimulate debate about devolution for the English regions.David Cameron’s passionate support for high-speed rail has extended to the north. It follows George Osborne’s espousal of HS3 – a new high-speed, east-west link across the north that would stimulate a “northern powerhouse”. One of the unintended consequences of the announcement, coming shortly after the Scottish referendum, has been to stimulate debate about devolution for the English regions.
Part of the proposals include setting up Transport for the North to oversee the project. This would involve the five “city regions” along a spine stretching from the Mersey to the Humber. Transport for the North would involve politicians from each of the leading authorities along the route. It sounds like a good idea, until you dig a bit deeper.Part of the proposals include setting up Transport for the North to oversee the project. This would involve the five “city regions” along a spine stretching from the Mersey to the Humber. Transport for the North would involve politicians from each of the leading authorities along the route. It sounds like a good idea, until you dig a bit deeper.
London has its Transport for London and the Scottish government has Transport Scotland. These two highly effective executive bodies are overseen by accountable, directly elected politicians. Transport for the North will be quite different, with governance provided by indirectly elected local politicians with precious little understanding or feel for the strategic needs of the north.London has its Transport for London and the Scottish government has Transport Scotland. These two highly effective executive bodies are overseen by accountable, directly elected politicians. Transport for the North will be quite different, with governance provided by indirectly elected local politicians with precious little understanding or feel for the strategic needs of the north.
This highlights the democratic deficit inherit in the combined authority solution favoured by the established parties as the solution to English devolution. They already exist in many of the northern city regions, though not many people are aware of them. Greater Manchester was the first, established in 2011. It is mainly governed by leaders from each district. Similar bodies have been established for most other northern city regions. They are taking on increasing powers, including transport, and are beginning to resemble the former metropolitan county councils, which Thatcher abolished in 1986. The difference being these were directly elected and accountable bodies. This highlights the democratic deficit inherent in the combined authority solution favoured by the established parties as the solution to English devolution. They already exist in many of the northern city regions, though not many people are aware of them. Greater Manchester was the first, established in 2011. It is mainly governed by leaders from each district. Similar bodies have been established for most other northern city regions. They are taking on increasing powers, including transport, and are beginning to resemble the former metropolitan county councils, which Thatcher abolished in 1986. The difference being these were directly elected and accountable bodies.
So Transport for the North is likely to emerge as a “combined authority of combined authorities”, with governance provided by local ward councillors who were elected to sort out problems of dog mess on the pavements and ensuring the bins get emptied. They will be twice removed from direct accountability and given huge responsibilities. A further issue with Transport for the North is whether it will cover the north as a whole or just the more urban parts of it. No wonder politicians in Lancashire, Cumbria, Humberside and the north-east are worried that it could become a power grab by Manchester and Leeds.So Transport for the North is likely to emerge as a “combined authority of combined authorities”, with governance provided by local ward councillors who were elected to sort out problems of dog mess on the pavements and ensuring the bins get emptied. They will be twice removed from direct accountability and given huge responsibilities. A further issue with Transport for the North is whether it will cover the north as a whole or just the more urban parts of it. No wonder politicians in Lancashire, Cumbria, Humberside and the north-east are worried that it could become a power grab by Manchester and Leeds.
Transport for North’s lack of accountability begs the obvious question: why no democratic devolution for the north? The north suffers from its lack of a champion. Back in 2004 John Prescott promoted directly elected regional assemblies, though with few powers. The referendum in the north-east gave the idea a resounding no. But the world has changed, and the regional genie is out of the bottle.Transport for North’s lack of accountability begs the obvious question: why no democratic devolution for the north? The north suffers from its lack of a champion. Back in 2004 John Prescott promoted directly elected regional assemblies, though with few powers. The referendum in the north-east gave the idea a resounding no. But the world has changed, and the regional genie is out of the bottle.
A North East Party has been formed by former Labour MP Hilton Dawson, with support from a cross-section of activists disillusioned with the established parties. It plans to field 15 candidates in the general election. Further south, Yorkshire First was formed as recently as March this year and garnered 20,000 votes in the European elections. It’s also planning to field a substantial number of candidates next May, calling for a Yorkshire Assembly. Both parties are broadly centre-left and pro-European. The north-west has yet to find its political expression but moves are afoot.A North East Party has been formed by former Labour MP Hilton Dawson, with support from a cross-section of activists disillusioned with the established parties. It plans to field 15 candidates in the general election. Further south, Yorkshire First was formed as recently as March this year and garnered 20,000 votes in the European elections. It’s also planning to field a substantial number of candidates next May, calling for a Yorkshire Assembly. Both parties are broadly centre-left and pro-European. The north-west has yet to find its political expression but moves are afoot.
It would make sense for the three regions to work together and provide the obvious governance structure for Transport for the North, instead of a collection of local ward councillors. The idea may have little support among the establishment as it challenges local and national powerbases, but it may just have an impact on the electorate next May.It would make sense for the three regions to work together and provide the obvious governance structure for Transport for the North, instead of a collection of local ward councillors. The idea may have little support among the establishment as it challenges local and national powerbases, but it may just have an impact on the electorate next May.