I’ve spent my first seven months as your MP banging the drum for West Cumbria in Whitehall to secure the tools and resources we need to deliver new nuclear, retrofit cold homes, invest in our roads and railways, rebuild our towns and improve public services.
Imagine if we had the powers and the funding we needed to do those things ourselves, without having to go cap in hand to Whitehall?
Well, Cumbria came a step closer to taking back control from Whitehall last week when we were selected for the Devolution Priority Programme.
This means we have the opportunity to be at the forefront of the devolution revolution. To shape a deal for Cumbria which allows us to chart a course to a brighter future.
What is on offer goes well beyond the deal dangled by the Tories a few years ago. Substantial new powers over buses, roads and rail. The tools to build houses where they’re needed and require developers to invest in amenities. Control of the Warm Homes Plan to retrofit draughty housing. The ability to direct business, employment and skills support and join up public services.
All this will be backed by a multi-year integrated funding settlement enabling us to deliver on our priorities and make real change after years of poorly managed decline under the Conservatives.
I hear three main concerns that I want to address briefly:
This creates more politicians.
We got rid of hundreds of politicians through local government reorganisation and the Mayor would take on the responsibilities of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, removing that position. So it will create no new politicians.
Why can’t we have this without a Mayor?
With greater power comes greater accountability and that’s why new powers and funding require agreement to a directly elected Mayor. A Mayor also gives Cumbria a single strong voice with a seat at the top table of government. Look at Greater Manchester to see how beneficial that has been for their area.
We had a Mayor in Copeland and it didn’t work out well!
I urge people not to base your view on what has come before. An effective Mayor speaking for the whole of Cumbria with the resources to make real change, with proper scrutiny and accountability to hold them to account, will avoid a repeat of past mistakes.
This isn’t a stitch up; if the deal doesn’t work for Cumbria then MPs won’t support it and councils won’t vote for it. Share your views and help to shape the strongest possible deal for councils to consider.
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There is also a Government consultation seeking views on a proposal to form a Mayoral Combined Authority for the local government areas of Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness.
The full consultation document can be found here
To take part and have your say, please click here
The cut-off date for the consultation is 11:59pm on 13 April 2025.
A Mayoral Strategic Authority – or MSA – for Cumbria would be in addition to the two unitary councils, Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness.
While the final scope of the powers transferred to the new authority is still being determined, the expectation is that the vast majority of powers will be transferred to the new authority from central Government. A small number of powers may be transferred from Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council to the new authority.
We’ve created a new devolution webpage which contains some background information and updates. Visit www.cumberland.gov.uk/devolution
Josh MacAlister MP 