University News Last updated 24 July 2020
Lord Michael Heseltine, Sir Vince Cable, Baron Andrew Adonis and Professor Vernon Bogdanor will debate the future of the English regions post-Brexit at an event organised by Birmingham City University to mark the publication of a new book on the subject.
'English Regions After Brexit: Examining potential change through devolved power', edited by Dr Steven McCabe and Cllr Beverley Nielsen, both Associate Professors at Birmingham City University’s Institute for Design and Economic Acceleration (IDEA), will be officially launched with an online discussion hosted by the University on Thursday 30 July.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Michael Heseltine, former Secretary of State Sir Vince Cable and Baron Andrew Adonis, David Cameron’s former University tutor and politics expert Professor Vernon Bogdanor, EU critic Sir Bernard Jenkin MP, West Midlands mayoral candidate Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP and former Joint Head of the United Kingdom's Government Economic Service Vicky Pryce, will join Dr McCabe and Cllr Nielsen for the conversation.
The 90-minute discussion, which is open to the public and will feature the opportunity to put questions to the panel, will address the central question of whether English regions, through greater devolution, can and should embrace a more assertive role following Brexit.
Published by Bite-Sized Books, 'English Regions After Brexit' is a collection of contributions from a range of distinguished authors including the panellists along with other contributors such as Will Hutton, philosopher AC Grayling and the Institute for Government’s Akash Paun.
In his afterword for the book, Lord Michael Heseltine reinforced his support for further devolution of power, saying, “The need to clarify the relationship that exists between central and local government I called for almost eight years ago, is as urgent as ever. The shock of our vote to leave the European Union in June 2016, a decision I profoundly believe will be to this country’s detriment – whatever free trade agreement emerges (or not) – makes reform all the more urgent. However, I am cognisant that I am writing in the midst of a global health pandemic that’s already had an extremely negative impact on the economy and is likely to cause a level of unemployment not seen since the early 1980s.
Cllr Beverley Nielsen said: “This subject is very close to my heart and like others, I have been striving for solutions that will give English citizens in our regions and communities a better settlement. Having lived in the West Midlands for a good part of my working life I’ve seen how the lack of devolved powers and budgets has affected the region and our communities, splintering solutions into silos that fail to deliver what’s really required and leading to a lack of longer-term ambition built on our region’s unique strengths and capabilities. A lively dialogue that brings together all sectors to focus on how to create a more balanced, healthier and greener place, is discussed by our contributors in grappling with the dilemmas and disparities facing English regions.”
The book’s publication follows reports of Russian interference in the UK’s Brexit referendum, the launch of a UK Government advertising campaign to prepare the country post-EU and an announcement by the European Union leaders for a £750bn Covid-19 economic recovery plan from which the UK is now excluded.
Dr Steven McCabe, Associate Professor of IDEA Institute, Birmingham City University said, “The profoundly damaging economic crisis caused by Covid-19 demonstrates the need for devolved power and decision-making. The importance of bottom-up strategies based on local resources and expertise, combined with dedicated place-based leadership and sufficient funding, has been proven to achieve opportunities. These opportunities are required more urgently than ever to ensure future prosperity in tackling the inevitable challenges that will confront all regions of the UK.’’
Places for the 'English Regions After Brexit' online launch can be booked via Eventbrite.