A Tale of One City: The Devo Manc Deal and Its Implications for English Devolution. Issue 4 (20th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kenealy, Daniel
• Is Part Of: Political quarterly. Volume 87:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 572
• Page End: 581
• Publication Date: 2016-07-20
• Subjects: Devolution -- cities -- England -- Manchester -- UK Treasury -- regionalism; Political science -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Great Britain -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1910-1936 -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1111/1467-923X.12278
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3179

Abstract

Abstract: On 2 November 2014 George Osborne stood in the impressive great council chamber of Manchester town hall and, flanked by the ten leaders of Greater Manchester's local authorities, announced a devolution deal for the city‐region. Greater Manchester would receive a significant package of powers over transport, housing, planning, skills, business support and welfare in exchange for creating new governance structures, including a directly elected mayor for the city‐region. This article explores the background to the Devo Manc deal, arguing that it is the product of both a long history of local government collaboration in Greater Manchester and George Osborne's desire for a sweeping restructure of English governance. It traces how the key decisions were taken quickly and by a small number of key officials. The article also identifies some flaws in Devo Manc and considers whether it is an appropriate model for other city‐regions in the UK.