Starmer sets out plans for biggest ever transfer of power from Westminster to the British people

Keir Starmer will today (Monday) pledge to set Britain’s sights “higher, wider and better” by delivering “the biggest ever transfer of power from Westminster to the British people” through radical inclusive growth plans alongside economic and political devolution.

Promising the British people “the change they deserve”, the Labour leader will say:  “the centre hasn’t delivered. We have an unbalanced economy which makes too little use of the talents of too few people in too few places. We will have higher standards in public life, a wider spread of power and opportunity, and better economic growth that benefits everyone, wherever they are. By setting our sights higher, wider, better, we can build a better future together.”

Starmer will be speaking at the release of The Commission on the UK’s Future report, ‘A New Britain’. The report, commissioned in one of his first acts as Labour leader, sets out how Britain today is not delivering enough for its people – economically, socially, or democratically. Its key conclusion is that political change and economic change must go hand in hand. Starmer will say that with Labour, “Britain will see a change not just in who governs but how we are governed.”

Among the report’s 40 recommendations is the need to give local communities new powers over skills, transport, planning and culture to drive growth.  Delivering greater powers, combined with local growth plans, will enable the emergence of hundreds of ‘clusters’ of economic activity in cities and towns across all regions and nations of the United Kingdom.  The co-ordination of activity across these clusters, by the people who know the assets of these areas best, will bring together local leadership, businesses, innovators, skilled workers, unions and entrepreneurs, that can drive a ‘new pro-growth strategy and make every part of our country more prosperous’ created economic activity that is more than the sum of its parts.

The Centre for Cities have identified 90,000 firms in around 300 embryonic clusters in New Economy industries – such as Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Technology and Digital – spread across our country. The report sets out how the UK can grow these by ensuring the ingredients of growth are more evenly spread and better tailored to local growth plans.

To make this happen the Commission proposes real economic empowerment for our devolved government, the Mayors, and local authorities, including: 

• New powers over transport and infrastructure
• New powers to stimulate growth, with longer funding settlements, and commitments to R&D that take into account local economic plans
• New powers over development and housing, such as compulsory purchase orders on vacant sites
• A regionally-oriented investment bank to ensure start-ups have access to equity capital needed to scale 
• Powers over economic development and job creation and the devolution of Jobcentres
• Powers to link training and skills to local employment needs through devolution of colleges

The report argues that the ‘continuing over-concentration of power in Westminster and Whitehall is undermining our ability to deliver growth and prosperity for the whole

country’ creating a ‘vicious circle … the more we lag behind economically the more people feel abandoned by an unresponsive system of government.’ It includes polling showing how too many people feel ‘invisible’ in their own country and details how Britain also has the sharpest inequalities and the slowest growth.

Starmer will argue the case for pushing power out of Westminster and back to the British people, saying: “People up and down this country are crying out for a new approach. During the Brexit referendum I argued for remain. But I couldn’t disagree with the basic case that many leave voters made to me. 

“They wanted democratic control over their lives so they could provide opportunities for the next generation, build communities they felt proud of, And public services they could rely on.

“And I know that in the Scottish referendum in 2014. Many of those who voted yes did so for similar reasons. The same frustration at a Westminster system that seems remote. The same yearning for the power to build a fairer future for themselves and their families.

“People know Britain needs change. But they are never going to get it from the Tories. I am determined that, with Labour, people will get the change they deserve.”

The report sets out a compelling diagnosis of Britain’s challenges and some radical solutions for “rewiring” Britain’s economy and democracy. 

Labour believes these reforms would unlock the immense talent of people and businesses across the country – devolving decision making to communities, driving up living standards, creating clusters of innovation-led growth and cleaning up politics to restore trust. 

This is all part of Keir’s wider plan to build an economy in which growth is created by and for everyone, everywhere. Keir is convinced we need to change not only who governs the country but how the country is governed. 

This report will go a long way to supporting our driving mission to create a fairer, greener more dynamic Britain. We need Britain to be firing on all cylinders so that together we can face the challenges of the future. The next step is to consult widely on the plans so that they achieve our ambitions for a revitalised UK. 

Keir Starmer will say there will now be a consultation on the proposals and “I invite everyone who wants to build a fairer greener future to get involved. Whether you voted leave or remain. Yes or no. Live in a city or town. We will make common cause with you. And together we will build a better future.”