The Role, Powers and Impact of
Devolved Bodies in the UK
England Regional Devolution
No uniform approach, leading to variation and inconsistency
Labour created Regional Development Agencies to develop regional economic strategies and
power
Labour proposed Regional Assemblies, which was rejected by the North-East in 2004 (78% NO)
and no further attempts were made in other regions
Once the Conservatives took power under coalition, Chancellor George Osborne spoke of the
‘Northern Powerhouse’ which would improve transport links and investment in science and
innovation (regionalism, but not through use of direct government)
New City regions with elected ‘metro mayors’ whose powers vary. Only 7 new city regions have
been created.
Metro Mayors’ powers came into question when Andy Burnham of Greater Manchester resisted
a tier 3 lockdown in 2020, however the government had the power to overrule this and did so
by proceeding with the lockdown, as was the case with Liverpool.
Stoke and Hartlepool scrapped the idea of elected mayors and returned to a traditional local
government
England London Devolution
Greatest level of devolution in England
Directly elected mayor and a directly elected 25 member London Assembly using SV
The mayor and assembly have power over policing, transport and economic development
London mayors are significant political figures
Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone introduced the Congestion Charge
Current London Mayor Sadiq Khan has clashed with the government over COVID-19 restrictions
and with President Trump
English Votes for English Laws
UK devolution caused democratic inequality and raised the West Lothian Question
Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish MPs are allowed to vote upon English matters, but MPs for
English constituencies have no influence on affairs in the aforementioned nations.
The McKay Commission recommended in 2013 that parliamentary procedures should be
updated, which was approved in October 2015 with the creation of a Grand Committee stage
The Grand Committee Stage was added so English MPs could veto a bill or part of a bill that only
affects England. However, these bills must still pass in the whole house at third reading (so other
nations still have the power to stop English laws being passed)
EVEL was first used in January 2016, and operated until its suspension in 2020
Arguably created two tiers of MP; those from other nations do not get to vote on all laws which
pass through Westminster Parliament
Devolved Bodies in the UK
England Regional Devolution
No uniform approach, leading to variation and inconsistency
Labour created Regional Development Agencies to develop regional economic strategies and
power
Labour proposed Regional Assemblies, which was rejected by the North-East in 2004 (78% NO)
and no further attempts were made in other regions
Once the Conservatives took power under coalition, Chancellor George Osborne spoke of the
‘Northern Powerhouse’ which would improve transport links and investment in science and
innovation (regionalism, but not through use of direct government)
New City regions with elected ‘metro mayors’ whose powers vary. Only 7 new city regions have
been created.
Metro Mayors’ powers came into question when Andy Burnham of Greater Manchester resisted
a tier 3 lockdown in 2020, however the government had the power to overrule this and did so
by proceeding with the lockdown, as was the case with Liverpool.
Stoke and Hartlepool scrapped the idea of elected mayors and returned to a traditional local
government
England London Devolution
Greatest level of devolution in England
Directly elected mayor and a directly elected 25 member London Assembly using SV
The mayor and assembly have power over policing, transport and economic development
London mayors are significant political figures
Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone introduced the Congestion Charge
Current London Mayor Sadiq Khan has clashed with the government over COVID-19 restrictions
and with President Trump
English Votes for English Laws
UK devolution caused democratic inequality and raised the West Lothian Question
Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish MPs are allowed to vote upon English matters, but MPs for
English constituencies have no influence on affairs in the aforementioned nations.
The McKay Commission recommended in 2013 that parliamentary procedures should be
updated, which was approved in October 2015 with the creation of a Grand Committee stage
The Grand Committee Stage was added so English MPs could veto a bill or part of a bill that only
affects England. However, these bills must still pass in the whole house at third reading (so other
nations still have the power to stop English laws being passed)
EVEL was first used in January 2016, and operated until its suspension in 2020
Arguably created two tiers of MP; those from other nations do not get to vote on all laws which
pass through Westminster Parliament
