Jon Bright (London, OK): Councillor Matt Wright has an interesting take on localism and unionism over on ConservativeHome (thanks to the Direct Democracy bulletin for pointing it out). This is a part of it:
It was thought here in Wales that policy makers in London would get out a map of the country and inflict laws on Wales without any real understanding of the terrain, the culture and language or a myriad of other factors. I'm afraid to say this perception was all too often true and it didn't just apply to Governments. The Assembly was meant to heal some of this and in some senses it has. Yet one of the biggest issues in North Wales at the moment - a story that has run for weeks - is that a Labour and Plaid led Welsh Assembly Government is proposing that neurosurgery patients travel to South Wales (a 9 hr round trip) instead of to Walton hospital in Merseyside. Incidentally it would actually be quicker to go to London, a 2.5 hr train ride from Rhyl in my constituency. I call that the "West Rhyl Question".
I often think that if those so keen on an English Assembly saw what Labour's form of devolved government is actually like they wouldn't be in such a hurry to copy it. I also wonder at what different parts of England would make of yet another layer of bureaucracy, expenses and distant rule. Where would an English government be? If it were in York, what would Cornwall make of it? If it were in Birmingham, what would Sunderland make of it? People across England must decide but they already have structures of government in England at county level and at Westminster which should be made to work efficiently and effectively for them.
He agrees that some form of change in power structure is needed to preserve the union. But his point is, essentially, that new devolved institutions might create their own contradictions and injustices, and we should instead focus on devolving power to existing local government structures - decisions to be taken at as low a tier as possible. If this was achieved then, perhaps, people would feel more confident about remaining united on large scale issues (such as defence) where Unionism makes sense. Will the tories take what could be a quite radical brand of localism to heart? Cameron's recent announcement on co-operatives certainly indicates they might.
