Christine Constable (Norwich, ECC): There has been a keen amount of debate on ‘regionalism' recently on OurKingdom - some people against the idea full stop, some against it if it would undermine claims to an English parliament, some for it as a tool of social or economic progress. To those that are for, I would simply ask, why regionalisation?
England has never had any historic connections to regions, there are no regional identities and there is no track record of running our local government administration on regional lines. Serious concerns have already been raised over the regionalising of police and ambulance services, the loss of local knowledge, their remoteness to local communities, and excessive bureaucracy.
Regions are a recent creation and have appeared without much consultation with the people. The country has been divided into regions and the inexorable plans to regionalise all government services has carried on apace. Many people would be shocked to learn they are now living in a "former" County!
There is a need to devolve power, but it would make more sense to devolve power to County Councils. Counties are historically significant, and the buildings and infrastructure for government at a County level are already in place. True localism stands more chance of flourishing under County Councils than it does under remote regional bodies, which will be more detached and less relevant to local people and their lives and concerns.
There is nothing to stop Counties working together on strategic plans and infrastructure projects on a larger scale - but at the same time they would be able to develop and enhance the long standing culture and flavour of each unique County. Regions, on the other hand, would break England's heart and soul. They would divide the nation, with one region pitted against another, each trying to out do the other in issues such as inward investment, services and spending.
However, the most important point is that the people of England should be allowed to decide through an "open" public debate followed by a referendum, what type of devolution is right for them. This approach was right for Scotland and Wales it surely is right and just for England too.
We can endlessly debate the various options in think tanks, democracy task forces and party manifestos, but unless the people of England are properly consulted and have the chance to vote on the option that best suits them, we will not achieve the progress we all want to see. Certainly the English Constitutional Convention has tried to start this public debate: it is now for the politicians to properly engage with it.
