Interim Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates has called for greater devolution within Wales, arguing that power and money should be transferred from Cardiff Bay to local councils and regions. Writing in a piece for Wales Online, Skates emphasised the need to avoid Wales becoming the most centralised nation in the UK and Europe, warning that without deeper devolution, the country risks being left behind economically.
Inspired by Manchester's Success
Skates pointed to the success of the 'Manchesterism' model, where devolution to mayoralties and local areas has driven growth. He noted that Manchester is the fastest-growing city region in Europe, with its city centre population rising from 500 in 1990 to over 100,000 today, and projected to reach 250,000 by 2035. Liverpool has also seen the biggest fall in deprivation of all UK cities since 2010. Skates argued that similar devolution across the UK, including within Wales, is essential to address economic imbalances.
“The UK is the most centralised country in Europe, but with the promise of greater regional and local decision-making, power and opportunity will be shared more fairly and evenly,” Skates wrote. He stressed that this fair distribution must happen within Wales to avoid being left behind.
Previous Devolution Efforts in Wales
Skates highlighted that the Welsh Labour government had already begun devolving powers and funding before leaving office. As minister, he transferred decision-making over local transport schemes and more than £100 million from Welsh Ministers to regions and councils. “I did it because I firmly believe people in places like Bangor are better placed to make decisions on improving their streets than a minister in Cardiff Bay,” he said. No political party in the Senedd objected to this move.
He also referenced the creation of Corporate Joint Committees, regional bodies for councils to collaborate on transport, planning, and economic development. These were designed on the promise that if councils shared power and responsibility, the Welsh Government would devolve further powers and funding.
Strengthening, Not Weakening Devolution
Skates argued that deeper devolution strengthens rather than weakens the devolution settlement. He cited the principle of subsidiarity, supported by all progressive parties, which advocates transferring power to the level where it can deliver the best results. He dismissed claims that this would bypass the Senedd, noting that new powers currently held by UK ministers, such as research and innovation funding, could be transferred directly to communities, councils, and regions.
“Existing powers could remain with Cardiff Bay, but as I’ve already stressed, the process of transferring some powers and funding to more appropriate levels of government was already underway when we left government,” Skates wrote. He warned that Plaid Cymru might resist deeper devolution by tearing up regional working and starving councils of money, which would disempower communities and ruin place-making prospects.
Local Power to Tackle Unemployment
Skates concluded by emphasising that politics and democracy do not exist solely in Cardiff Bay. “We need to go more local in terms of power, money and opportunity,” he said, quoting Polly Toynbee: “because local is where jobs are, locally is where education and further education succeed or fail and locality is all too often where disadvantage blights children’s future.” He argued that empowering communities and strengthening councils is the way to avoid losing a generation of young people to unemployment.
“Devolution is a process, not an event,” Skates added. “The process should now be directed at empowering communities, strengthening councils and supporting the rise of our regions. Only then will North, South, Mid and West Wales be able to generate the fair growth and opportunity that Manchesterism promises.”
