The Guardian view on Burnham’s devolution plans: power must be accompanied by scrutiny | Editorial
Vital accountability mechanisms have withered as English devolution has evolved. The government should take note Andy Burnham has criticised Britain’s “unaccountable state” that is at once too powerful and too distant from everyday life. He has made English devolution the central idea of his premiership, but his plan to give England’s mayors unprecedented power and money will have to confront a…
The Guardian editorial critiques the "unaccountable state" of English devolution, highlighting the erosion of vital accountability mechanisms as it has evolved. Andy Burnham, who has positioned English devolution as the cornerstone of his premiership, warns that his proposal to grant unprecedented power and funds to England's mayors must contend with significant challenges.
One of the primary issues is the weakened scrutiny of local government in a context where accountability mechanisms have significantly diminished. The Audit Commission's abolition in 2015, under the previous Conservative government, eliminated a crucial source of information regarding local government expenditure. This decision, coupled with the financial struggles of cash-strapped councils who began selling assets and engaging in risky investments, has led to a series of bankruptcies and scandals.
The Teesworks development, overseen by a Tory mayor, serves as a stark example of the risks associated with opaque governance. A 2024 government report has criticized Teesworks for operating under a "culture of excessive confidentiality," underscoring the dangers of operating without adequate oversight.
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