The shifting perceptions of where power lies in UK politics – Alex’s latest MJ column

Author: Alex Thomson   |  

In Localis chief executive Alex Thomson’s latest opinion piece for the MJ he considers the shifting perceptions of where real power lies in UK politics. You can read the piece in full here or below.

Perception is key in politics and while Jeremy Corbyn is not currently perceived to be a hero of localism – he once described the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ as a ‘cruel deception’ and has been fairly reticent on the topic ever since – indirectly he may provide the devolution agenda with the additional momentum it needs to shake long-held perceptions about where power in England should reside.

Because Mr Corbyn’s prospects of wielding power are perceived by many of his parliamentary colleagues to be faint, the option of following Sadiq Khan into the mayors’ club has become an attractive proposition for some of the party’s bigger beasts.

That Andy Burnham is considering standing for the Greater Manchester mayoralty is therefore not a big surprise. As in London, the position will be one of huge significance in British (and Labour) politics with real opportunities to improve lives.

Equally, Conservatives who find themselves on the wrong side of the EU referendum or subsequent cabinet reshuffle may choose to seek solace in more rural devolution areas such as East Anglia.

Who knows, a three-horse race in one of the city-mayoral elections could even see the start of the #LibDemfightback.

Either way, Mr Burnham’s announcement points to shifting perceptions of where power in coming years will go. It also brings some welcome focus to a contest which so far has received little attention from the national media.

In London’s equivalent race for Labour’s candidacy, we were given minute-by-minute commentary on the fluctuating fortunes of even the unlikeliest of candidates – despite the position being arguably less powerful than the Greater Manchester mayoralty, albeit with a bigger population.

The sad truth is that to many political journalists, local government has long been perceived as little more than a quaint provincial adjunct to Westminster’s goings-on.

But if we do see more Westminster leading figures move out of SW1 and into mayoral offices, this could finally trigger a long-overdue reassessment of ossified opinions of what local government is and does.

Such a shift in perceptions could be crucial in giving devolution deals the national exposure and scrutiny they deserves and need.