The Conservative government made substantial progress between 2019 and 2024 in devolving power to metro mayors in places including Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. Devolution was a core part of the Johnson and Sunak governments’ levelling up strategy, but was this approach a success? This panel discussed the successes and failures of devolution and consider the Conservative case for further empowerment of local leaders across England.

Speakers:

Councillor Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Professor Richard Jones, Vice-President for Regional Innovation and Civic Engagement at The University of Manchester

Councillor Tim Oliver OBE, Leader of Surrey County Council and Chairman of the County Councils Network

Laura Shoaf, Chief Executive of the

West Midlands Combined Authority

This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This event was in partnership with Policy@Manchester.

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