Corbyn: the scope for debate and policy ideas has opened considerably- for our local and city economies as well as our communities
The Labour Party (currently the main opposition party to the UK government) recently elected a new leader who has broken the mould in terms of offering a different perspective, rejecting austerity economics, abiding by some consistent political and moral principles, and promises to formulate policy by debate and consensus. This has significant implications for our cities and localities – it means that the debate and range of potential solutions for urban and local policies and powers will be widened. Whatever the political outcomes, the chance to have a more wide-ranging debate is a positive development.
For everyone – a significant development will be that the debate about policy and practice will open up considerably On Saturday 12th September, it was confirmed that Jeremy Corbyn was elected as the leader of the Labour Party (one of the two main political parties in the UK), and would lead the opposition to the Conservative-led UK government. This has been of major news in the UK in the build up to the leadership election, as Corbyn is a campaigner and left-winger by nature who has supported such aims as nuclear disarmament and leaving the European Union (I suspect for reasons to do with unfettered capitalist market economies or lack of democratic control rather than for nationalistic or xenophobic reasons!). Recent years have witnessed an upsurge in support for politicians and political movements who eschew the mainstream and are vocal about their anti-establishment views and credentials, as demonstrated in Greece, Scotland and Spain in recent years, and is creeping into the US Democratic Party primaries. Despite the media frenzy over the past month when it became apparent that Corbyn had an almost unassailable lead in the polls, he has carefully avoided soundbites and making controversial policy statements based on his own past views. Despite the press almost baying in terms of opposition policy for instant results, he has held off and has instead told everyone that this will be decided by party grassroots.
This makes for an interesting few years! There has been speculation about his policy beliefs, but the man has said that policy will be developed by party consensus rather than leadership diktat. As Alex Jones from the Centre for Cities has noted, the Corbyn policy positions have set down a few markers in terms of cities and devolution. There might be some fairly detailed criticism of current UK Government policies for devolution e.g. the Northern Powerhouse.
The main implications for cities and localities will be:
Removing the ‘austerity handcuffs’ from the devolution debate
Corbyn’s ascension has meant that the main opposition party now opposes austerity and cuts to public sector services and the government role. Whether this will be a general election vote-winner is debatable. However, what is clear is that there is now a mainstream channel for debating policy that is not bound by austerity. Previously, the Labour Party in opposition was committed to austerity. There was no scope for cities and localities to even think about increased public investment and borrowing. Whilst the lack of grant funding in general, and the lack of central government grant regimes has done much to stimulate more original thinking amongst local actors, it is clear that there are some significant areas requiring large scale public financing (such as infrastructure), that are currently being kicked into the long grass due to the fiscal climate.
A sensible debate about Scottish devolution? and hence a sensible framework for local devolution in England?
If we believe what Corbyn says, he’s more interested in developing the right policies that personalities and posturing. Acknowledging that this flies pretty much in the face of the way British politics has been done in the past 30 years(!) – it does mean that we are likely to see some different ideas and a different debate about national and local devolution in the UK.
‘Me too’ politics will be dead
Find me a politician before June 2015 who didn’t support HS2 (the proposed high speed rail link between London and Birmingham) and the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ (the idea that the North of England’s cities should somehow become more integrated or joined up to take on London)? Hardly anyone dared to be critical of any of these arrangements – such as the fact that HS2’s massive investment doesn’t really do much for the Northern Powerhouse.
The fact is that politicians have been too scared of losing popularity not to support some of the totemic soundbites of policy in the past few years. For example, many have backed localism and devolution, but there hasn’t been a serious debate (at parliamentary level) about a sensible framework and timetable for this – hence the lack of legislative rigour. It is time for a constructive, critical debate about these issues.
Investment and social return will be more prominent in the debate – maybe ‘economic development’ will creep back in common use?
The Corbyn-led opposition will push the social return from public investment as well as the private return and the returns to economic growth. This is important for communities and place-making, as most informed economic development practitioners will know. Who knows, maybe even ‘regeneration’ will come back into use as a policy term and instrument? Ok I am getting carried away here!
Some progress made in the past 5 years that the opposition needs to avoid trashing
At the same time, there has been some progress over the past few years which I think the Corbyn-led opposition would do well to acknowledge and develop further:
- The development of stronger private-sector interest in the local economy. I think the opposition might be tempted to put more power in the hands of local government, particularly elected officials. However, its my view that successful local economic development needs strong public-private partnerships. It is particularly essential for planning and improving business locations, and for achieving a supply of education and skills that meets the needs of employers and the economy. The private sector is difficult to cultivate into being involved in policy and public services; but they can be quickly disillusioned and can end up being put off for years.
- More widespread consideration of economic issues and strategies. More and more local authorities have engaged in their local economic issues and ramped up their strategies and initiatives. This has got to be welcomed, and continued.
- Self-starting, self-defining cities. The glimmer of devolved power and vehicles such as combined authorities has led to many cities and local areas energetically pursuing their own agendas and potential solutions. Any further policy proposals must help to reinforce this, and reduce dependency on central government.
In sum: a wider debate should be welcomed
In my view, the past 5 to 6 years have been characterised by a lack of debate and critical examination of local economic policies and institutions. If the current crop of policies and approaches are the best – then they should be able to stand up to scrutiny. If they can be improved – then let’s hear how, and let’s contribute to the debate.
