Devolution and Localism in England

by David M. Smith, Enid Wistrich

Overview

Combining historical and policy study with empirical research from a qualitative study of regional elites this book offers an original and timely insight into the progress of devolution of governance in England. With particular interest in how governments have tried and continue to engage English people in sub-national democratic processes while dealing with the realities of governance it uses in-depth interviews with key figures from three English regions to get the ’inside view’ of how these processes are seen by the regional and local political, administrative, business and voluntary sector elites who have to make policies work in practice. Tracing the development of decentralisation policies through regional policies up to and including the general election in 2010 and the radical shift away from regionalism to localism by the new Coalition Government thereafter the authors look in detail at some of the key policies of the incumbent Coalition Government such as City Regions and Localism and their implementation. Finally they consider the implications of the existing situation and speculate on possible issues for the future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781317151654
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/22/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	136
File size:	988 KB

About the Author

David M. Smith, Enid Wistrich

Table of Contents

Preface, David M. Smith, Enid Wistrich; Chapter 1 Decentralisation and Governance in England and the UK, David M. Smith, Enid Wistrich; Chapter 2 Is there a Role for English Regional Governance?, David M. Smith, Enid Wistrich; Chapter 3 English Regions, Sub-regions and Issues of Identity and Engagement, David M. Smith, Enid Wistrich; Chapter 4 A New Broom? Coalition Policy and the ‘Death of the Region’, David M. Smith, Enid Wistrich; Chapter 5 Cities, City Regions, Growth and the Devolution of Powers, David M. Smith, Enid Wistrich; Chapter 6 Devolution, Localism and Good Governance in England, David M. Smith, Enid Wistrich; Chapter 7 Conclusions, David M. Smith, Enid Wistrich;

Editorial Reviews

’This book succeeds admirably in its task of making sense of the confused and sometimes confusing debate about local government in this country. It shows how careful analysis and extensive fieldwork can be combined to produce an outcome that is both well-researched and intellectually illuminating.’ Brendan Donnelly, Federal Trust, UK ’Devolution to Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales has created a new constitutional balance within the United Kingdom. England, with its highly centralized and at times dysfunctional system of governance, is the outstanding problem. This timely publication examines possible solutions - decentralization, regional government, city regions and localism - based on detailed surveys and empirical evidence.’ Stanley Henig, University of Central Lancashire, UK 'Tracing the development of decentralisation policies through regional policies up to and including the 2010 General Election and the radical shift away from regionalism to localism by the new Coalition Government thereafter, the authors consider some of the key policies of the incumbent Coalition Government such as City Regions and Localism. This book is a much-needed contribution to the debate about the UK’s constitutional future ... it should be required reading for all those opining on the ’English question’, to learn from the best practice of previous attempts at devolution, and avoid the pitfalls.' LSE Review of Books

From the Publisher