Devolution and Localism in England

Combining historical and policy study with empirical research from a qualitative study of regional elites this book offers an 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.

Contents:
+ Decentralisation and governance in England and the UK
+ Is there a role for English regional governance?
+ English regions, sub-regions and issues of identity and engagement
+ A new broom? Coalition policy and the ‘death of the region’
+ Cities, city regions, growth and the devolution of powers
+ Devolution, localism and good governance in England