Regionalism is the new big idea in British politics. From granting greater powers to the Scottish Parliament to ‘Devo Manc’ and the ‘northern powerhouse’ in England – politicians increasingly advocate various forms of devolution to regenerate the country and re-engage the electorate. But the political and economic influence of our regional cities has declined significantly. Will devolution really revive democratic participation and civic engagement or is central government abdicating its responsibility to bind the nation together in pursuit of a politics that transcends regional differences? Filmed at the Battle of Ideas, the speakers are co-author, Devo Max – Devo Manc; Dr Simon Knight youth and community work manager; Roxana Silbert, artistic director, Birmingham REP Theatre; Professor Alan Hudson, director of leadership and public policy programmes, University of Oxford; Jonathan Schofield, editor-at-large, Manchester Confidential.
