Labour's Shadow Cabinet Minister Jonathan Ashworth has launched a scathing attack on the Conservative government, accusing it of descending into blatant "political point scoring" over the crucial issue of English devolution.
The blistering criticism came after Ministers were accused of attempting to sabotage a report from the cross-party Levelling Up Select Committee. The report, which advocated for a new wave of devolution deals to empower local English leaders, was allegedly undermined by a last-minute government amendment.
Ashworth did not hold back, stating the move proves the Tories are "not serious about a cross-party approach to devolution." He condemned the government for "playing political games with the future of our regions" and using the vital policy area as a "political football."
A Breach of Trust in Cross-Party Talks
The heart of the controversy lies in the breakdown of what were supposed to be collaborative, cross-party discussions. The select committee, comprising MPs from all major parties, had painstakingly built a consensus on a roadmap for further devolution in England.
This collaborative effort was thrown into chaos when the government tabled its own amendment, a move seen by opposition MPs and some Tory backbenchers as a bad-faith effort to claim credit for the committee's work and push a more partisan agenda.
Gove's Department Faces Backlash
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, led by Michael Gove, is now facing significant backlash. Critics argue that the amendment was a cynical attempt to avoid being bound by the committee's specific recommendations, which included clearer long-term funding settlements for regional mayors.
This incident raises serious questions about the government's commitment to genuine local empowerment. Instead of fostering stability and cooperation, ministers stand accused of prioritising short-term electoral advantages over meaningful, long-term structural change for England's regions.
The political fallout continues to grow, casting a shadow over the future of devolution and the government's ability to work constructively with other parties on major constitutional issues.
