In a groundbreaking political development, Birmingham Mayor Andy Street has formed an unexpected alliance with former Labour minister Dan Jarvis to demand significant new powers for England's regions from Westminster.
The Conservative mayor and Labour former MP have put aside party differences to launch a powerful campaign calling for genuine devolution that would allow local leaders to address deep-seated regional inequalities.
Cross-Party Unity for Regional Empowerment
This rare political partnership signals growing frustration among local leaders across England who believe current devolution arrangements don't go far enough. "We're speaking with one voice across party lines because this is bigger than politics," Street declared.
The alliance brings together Street's experience leading the West Midlands Combined Authority with Jarvis's background as former mayor of South Yorkshire, creating a powerful voice for regional reform.
What Birmingham Really Needs
The campaign outlines several key areas where enhanced powers could transform the West Midlands:
- Transport sovereignty: Full control over local bus services and rail integration
- Skills funding: Direct authority over adult education and vocational training budgets
- Housing investment: Freedom to develop brownfield sites and address the affordability crisis
- Business support: Tailored programmes to boost local enterprise and innovation
Street emphasised that current arrangements keep local leaders "constantly going back to Whitehall with a begging bowl" rather than allowing strategic, long-term planning.
The Westminster Response
While the government has praised the devolution agenda in principle, many local leaders argue the reality has fallen short of promises. The Birmingham-led campaign represents the most coordinated challenge yet to the current pace and scale of power transfer.
With both major parties claiming commitment to "levelling up," this alliance tests whether rhetoric will translate into real constitutional change that benefits regions outside London.
The success or failure of this campaign could determine whether England sees genuine regional rebalancing or continues with centralized control from the capital.
