The shape of devolution

Finding the right shape of the footprints to devolve power to in England is a complex exercise that requires consideration of a wide range of issues including economic, functionality, populations, public services, places and identities as well as institutional practices and memory and policy development. More often than not, resorting to the principle of ‘administrative convenience’ has been common practice.

Yet, with a new government pledging to widen and deepen devolution, and the idea of ‘completing the map’ coming to the fore, the question arises again: how do we create transparent, fair and practical footprints for local power across England? In a landscape dotted with ad-hoc political geographies and ‘devolution deserts’, what geographical shape should devolution take?

This essay explores what practical, holistic, people-focused footprints for devolution could take into account.