The British system of government has for many years been one of the most centralised in Europe. Many more matters are decided at the national level than in Germany or Belgium, for example, where an effective level of regional government has been established.
Recent years have seen steps towards regional government, notably in Scotland and Wales but also on a smaller scale in England. But treating regional and national authorities as representatives of Westminster rather than representatives of the people in the areas concerned does not really change very much.
A federal system would be much better.
In England, some form of sub-national authorities (perhaps the existing regions, perhaps something else) would be directly elected and exercise clearly defined powers. Most of these powers would be drawn from those currently exercised by Whitehall. Such a system could bring the citizens closer to the decisions which most affect their lives. The power of distant bureaucrats would be reduced.
The links below lead to more information on the following subjects.
Latest Contributions
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Your region: your choice – revitalising the English regions
A response by Federal Union to the government’s White Paper, 30 August 2002 SUMMARY OF RESPONSES References are to paragraphs of the Federal Union Paper A. Federal Union is of […]
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Regional government in England
Questions from Chris Mason, freelance journalist, to Richard Laming, Director of Federal Union CM: How important a step are the Regional Development Agencies in the move towards elected regional assemblies? […]
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Federal union, from Scotland with love
By David Millar Mr Gladstone and the Claim of Right Has anything good come out of Scotland? Yes, lots of things – whisky, Rabbie Burns, Sean Connery, to name but […]