Time for Devolution for the North - Part 2

The Time has come for a Devolution of Powers to the North of England Act.

The North of England has a rich history and a unique culture that deserves to be celebrated and preserved. However, for too long the region has been neglected by central government, with decisions about the region often being made by people who do not live in the region and do not understand the needs and aspirations of people living in the North of England. This has resulted in a democratic deficit, with people in the region feeling disconnected from the political process.

To address this issue, there has been a growing demand for a Northern Assembly with devolved powers, similar to the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly. This would enable people in the North of England to elect their own representatives and make decisions about their own future, taking advantage of the opportunities available to the region and improving the lives of people living in the area.

There are many benefits to the establishment of a Northern Assembly with devolved powers. First and foremost, it would enable the North of England to shape its own future, making decisions about the economy, infrastructure, education, health and social care, housing, environment, culture, sport and tourism that are best for the region. This would ensure that the needs and aspirations of people in the North of England are heard and acted upon, improving the quality of life for everyone living in the region.

Secondly, the establishment of a Northern Assembly would bring decision-making closer to the people, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed. This would help to address the issue of democratic deficit in the North of England, where decisions about the region are often made by people who do not live in the region and do not understand the needs and aspirations of people living in the North of England.

Thirdly, the establishment of a Northern Assembly with devolved powers would enable the North of England to compete on a level playing field with other regions of the UK and with other countries in Europe and around the world. It would enable the region to attract investment, create jobs, support businesses and improve the economy, ensuring that the North of England is a prosperous and dynamic region.

There are many examples of successful devolution around the world, including in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Catalonia and Bavaria. These regions have been able to develop their own economies, cultures and identities, making decisions that are best for their own regions and addressing the needs and aspirations of their own people. The establishment of a Northern Assembly with devolved powers would enable the North of England to follow in their footsteps, creating a better future for the region and for the people who live there.

The case for a Northern Assembly with devolved powers is clear. The North of England deserves to have its own voice, its own representatives and its own decisions about its own future. By establishing a Northern Assembly, we can address the issue of democratic deficit, bring decision-making closer to the people, and enable the North of England to shape its own future, taking advantage of the opportunities available to the region and improving the lives of people living in the area. We urge central government to listen to the voices of people in the North of England and to support the establishment of a Northern Assembly with devolved powers.

Government may not have the resources to create the required outline legislation to devolve power to the north and create a northern assembly in the current parliament. So here is a draft template legislation and speech for the introduction of the legislation before parliament by the secretary of state. Legislation and a speech made in the North of England.

Honourable Members of Parliament,

I am honoured to stand before you today to introduce the Devolution of Powers to the North of England Act. This historic piece of legislation aims to provide for the devolution of powers to the North of England and to establish a Northern Assembly to exercise those powers.

The North of England has long been neglected by central government, with decisions about the region often being made by people who do not live in the region and do not understand the unique needs and aspirations of its people. This has resulted in a democratic deficit, where people in the region feel disconnected from the political process and their voices are not being heard.

This Act is a significant step towards addressing this democratic deficit, by providing for the devolution of powers to the North of England and the establishment of the Northern Assembly. The Northern Assembly will have the power to make decisions on a range of issues including the economy, infrastructure, education, health and social care, housing, environment, culture, sport and tourism.

The creation of a Northern Assembly is not just about devolving powers, it is about creating a democratic voice for the North of England. It is about empowering people in the region to shape their own future and to take advantage of the opportunities available to them. By creating a Northern Assembly, we will enable the North of England to make decisions that reflect its unique needs and aspirations, rather than decisions made by people who do not understand the region.

I know that some of you may be sceptical about the benefits of devolution, but I can assure you that devolution has worked successfully in other parts of the UK, such as Scotland and Wales. Devolution has allowed these regions to make decisions that reflect their unique needs and aspirations, and has brought decision-making closer to the people who are affected by those decisions.

The Devolution of Powers to the North of England Act is essential for the prosperity and well-being of the North of England. It will empower people in the region, enable the North of England to shape its own future, and improve the lives of people living in the region.

I urge all Members of Parliament to support this legislation and to help us create a better future for the North of England. Thank you.

Devolution of Powers to the North of England Act

An Act to provide for the devolution of powers to the North of England and to establish a Northern Assembly to exercise those powers.

BE IT ENACTED by this Parliament assembled, and by His Majesty's Government, as follows:

PART 1: DEVOLUTION OF POWERS TO THE NORTH OF ENGLAND

Devolution of powers

(1) The powers set out in Schedule 1 to this Act are devolved to the North of England.

(2) The Secretary of State shall have the power to add or remove powers from Schedule 1 by order made by statutory instrument.

Exercise of powers

(1) The Northern Assembly established under Part 2 of this Act shall exercise the powers devolved to the North of England under Schedule 1.

(2) The Northern Assembly shall exercise its powers in accordance with this Act and any other relevant legislation.

Coordination with Westminster

(1) The Northern Assembly shall have regard to the policies and legislation of the Westminster Parliament in exercising its powers.

(2) The Secretary of State and the Northern Assembly shall consult with each other on matters of mutual interest or concern.

Funding

(1) The Secretary of State shall provide funding to the Northern Assembly to enable it to exercise its powers.

(2) The amount of funding provided shall be determined by the Secretary of State, subject to the approval of the Treasury.

Accountability

(1) The Northern Assembly shall be accountable to the people of the North of England for the exercise of its powers.

(2) The Secretary of State shall report to Parliament annually on the exercise of powers by the Northern Assembly.

PART 2: NORTHERN ASSEMBLY

Establishment of Northern Assembly

(1) There shall be a Northern Assembly consisting of members elected in accordance with this Act.

(2) The Northern Assembly shall have the power to make laws and to exercise other powers devolved to it under Schedule 1.

Electoral system

(1) The Northern Assembly shall be elected by a system of proportional representation.

(2) The Secretary of State shall make regulations setting out the details of the electoral system.

Membership

(1) The Northern Assembly shall consist of 90 members.

(2) Members of the Northern Assembly shall be elected for a term of five years.

(3) Members of the Northern Assembly shall be elected from constituencies determined in accordance with this Act.

Powers and functions

(1) The Northern Assembly shall have the power to make laws and to exercise other powers devolved to it under Schedule 1.

(2) The Northern Assembly shall have the power to levy taxes and to spend money for purposes within its competence.

(3) The Northern Assembly shall have the power to establish and maintain public services within its competence.

Committees

(1) The Northern Assembly may establish committees to carry out its functions.

(2) The Northern Assembly shall determine the composition and terms of reference of its committees.

Speaker and Deputy Speakers

(1) The Northern Assembly shall elect a Speaker and two Deputy Speakers from among its members.

(2) The Speaker and Deputy Speakers shall hold office for the duration of the Northern Assembly.

Rules of Procedure

(1) The Northern Assembly shall make its own rules of procedure.

(2) The rules of procedure shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of State.

PART 3: MISCELLANEOUS

Interpretation

In this Act, “the North of England” means the area comprising the counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Merseyside, Northumberland, Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, West Yorkshire, and any other areas as may be specified by the Secretary of State by order.

Short title, commencement and extent

(1) This Act may be cited as the Devolution of Powers to the North of England Act.

(2) This Act comes into force on the day appointed by the Secretary of State by order.

(3) This Act extends to the North of England.

SCHEDULE 1

(Section 1)

Devolved powers

Economic development, including regional development, job creation, and infrastructure investment.

Transport, including the regulation of local transport services, highways, and the development of transport infrastructure.

Education, including the establishment, maintenance and funding of schools, colleges and universities, and the regulation of standards of education.

Health and social care, including the establishment and funding of hospitals, clinics and other health and social care facilities.

Housing, including the regulation of housing standards and the establishment and funding of social housing.

Environment, including the regulation of environmental standards, management of waste, and the establishment and funding of environmental protection agencies.

Culture, including the establishment and funding of museums, galleries, and cultural events.

Sport, including the establishment and funding of sporting facilities and events.

Tourism, including the promotion of tourism and the establishment and funding of tourist facilities.

Policing and criminal justice, including the establishment and funding of police services and courts.

Fire and rescue services, including the establishment and funding of fire and rescue services.

Planning and development control, including the regulation of planning and development.

This legislation aims to provide for the devolution of powers to the North of England and the establishment of a Northern Assembly to exercise those powers. By devolving powers to the North of England, we seek to improve the lives of people in the North, by enabling them to make decisions that are best for their communities. The Northern Assembly will have the power to make laws and to exercise other powers devolved to it, including economic development, transport, education, health and social care, housing, environment, culture, sport, tourism, policing and criminal justice, fire and rescue services, and planning and development control. The Assembly will be accountable to the people of the North of England for the exercise of its powers, and the Secretary of State will report to Parliament annually on the exercise of powers by the Northern Assembly. The legislation will come into force on the day appointed by the Secretary of State by order.

The Northern Assembly will be composed of elected representatives from the North of England, who will be responsible for making decisions on devolved matters. The Assembly will be responsible for passing legislation, scrutinising the work of the executive and holding it to account. Members of the Assembly will be elected using a proportional representation system, ensuring that the Assembly is representative of the North of England.

The establishment of the Northern Assembly will bring decision-making closer to the people of the North of England, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met. It will enable the North of England to shape its own future and to take advantage of the opportunities available to it.

The powers devolved to the Northern Assembly will enable it to develop the economy of the North of England, creating jobs, supporting businesses and investing in infrastructure. It will enable the Assembly to improve the transport system, providing better connections between towns and cities in the North of England, reducing congestion and improving air quality. The Assembly will be able to invest in education, ensuring that children and young people in the North of England have the skills they need to succeed in the modern world. It will enable the Assembly to improve the health and social care system, ensuring that everyone in the North of England has access to high-quality healthcare and social care. It will enable the Assembly to invest in housing, providing affordable and quality homes for people in the North of England.

The establishment of the Northern Assembly will bring significant benefits to the North of England, enabling it to shape its own future and to take advantage of the opportunities available to it. By devolving powers to the North of England, we seek to improve the lives of people in the North, by enabling them to make decisions that are best for their communities. We believe that the devolution of powers to the North of England and the establishment of the Northern Assembly is essential for the prosperity and well-being of the North of England, and we urge all Members of Parliament to support this legislation.

The Northern Assembly will also have the power to improve the environment in the North of England, by regulating environmental standards and investing in environmental protection agencies. This will help to address the issues of air pollution, waste management and climate change in the North of England.

Furthermore, the Northern Assembly will have the power to promote culture, sport and tourism in the North of England, supporting the growth of cultural and creative industries, promoting regional sports and events, and attracting more visitors to the North of England. This will help to boost the economy of the North of England, creating jobs and enhancing the quality of life for people living in the region.

The establishment of the Northern Assembly will also improve democratic representation in the North of England, by enabling people in the region to elect their own representatives and make decisions about their own future. This will help to address the issue of democratic deficit in the North of England, where decisions about the region are often made by people who do not live in the region and do not understand the needs and aspirations of people living in the North of England.

In conclusion, the Devolution of Powers to the North of England Act is essential for the prosperity and well-being of the North of England. By devolving powers to the North of England and the establishment of the Northern Assembly, we will enable the North of England to shape its own future, take advantage of the opportunities available to it, and improve the lives of people living in the region. We urge all Members of Parliament to support this legislation and to help us create a better future for the North of England.