Keir Starmer sets out his vision for 'full fat devolution' as he launches ... trends now
View
comments
Sir Keir Starmer will today set out plans for a new wave of devolution, as he pledges to make 'levelling up' work.
Launching Labour's local election campaign, Sir Keir will acknowledge that Boris Johnson's 2019 manifesto pledge to 'level up' the country was a 'good ambition for Britain'.
But he will accuse the Conservatives of failing to deliver - and argue that local mayors now need to be given more powers to finish the job.
Setting out plans for 'full fat devolution', the Labour leader will pledge to give local communities more say over key areas like transport, energy and planning.
In an audacious political land grab, he will commit Labour to empowering communities to 'take back control'.
Launching Labour 's local election campaign, Sir Keir will acknowledge that Boris Johnson 's 2019 manifesto pledge to 'level up' the country was a 'good ambition for Britain'
In a speech in the West Midlands today, Sir Keir will say: 'As well as deploying the full power of government to deliver security for working people, we give power away and put communities in control.
'A new Take Back Control Act that sets a presumption towards devolution, and new powers for mayors over transport, skills, energy, and planning, so they can rejuvenate our high streets and generate growth for every town and city - a full-fat approach to devolution.'
A Tory source last night accused Sir Keir of 'staggering hypocrisy' - pointing out that Labour had criticised the government's levelling up drive for years.
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove pointed out that Labour's Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has praised the government for
