Andy Burnham and the shift in UK leadership
PoliticsComments
it wasn't just the treasury; it was the lack of regional legislative capacity.
A tiered system might allow for more precise policy experimentation. The national government could then scale proven models instead of gambling on a single nationwide rollout.
The idea that regional experience makes international relations jarring is a bit of a stretch. Managing a city's economy involves dealing with foreign direct investment and trade partners every day.
We saw similar arguments when the focus shifted toward regional hubs in the early 2000s. The real issue wasn't the leader's background, but the refusal of the Treasury to actually let go of the purse strings.
If he is the champion of the North, does that mean the Golden Triangle of London, Oxford, and Cambridge finally loses its grip on policy? Or is this just a cosmetic change to keep the electorate quiet?
This transition happens right as China is pushing back against the nationalization of British Steel. Burnham's approach to industrial strategy in the North will be a key indicator of how he handles these specific diplomatic frictions.
The success of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority provides a blueprint for how devolution can reduce bureaucratic waste. Applying that administrative efficiency to the national level could significantly streamline government services.
If we look at federalist systems like Germany, the balance between regional success and national coherence is always a tightrope. It is possible that prioritizing regional efficiency could inadvertently create a tiered system of public services.