02.09.15
Gordon Brown to give evidence at devolution Inquiry
Former prime minister Gordon Brown is to give evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Reform, Decentralisation and Devolution in the UK next week.
Mr Brown will attend a session of the APPG, which is being chaired by Lord Kerslake, on 8 September to give his expertise on the question of devolution in which he has been intimately involved.
Lord Kerslake said: “We're naturally delighted that Gordon Brown has agreed to take part in an evidence session given his background knowledge and understanding of this subject. His work to complete the process of devolving powers to Northern Ireland in 2010, for instance, gives him an invaluable awareness of how devolution can work in spite of challenges.
“We know that the impact of devolution on local government would be fundamental and listening to the opinions of those people who have been at the heart of government and understand the issues is key to the work of the Inquiry.
“Specifically, we will be asking Mr Brown about what drove New Labour's approach to devolution, how he believes further powers and responsibilities can best be transferred from central government, and his thoughts on ideas such as a Constitutional Convention for the UK.”
PSE recently talked to Lord Kerslake about the APPG Inquiry (for which the Local Government Association provides the secretariat) and on the need to find ways of empowering local communities as well as empowering cities.
Other witnesses who are giving evidence on 8 September include Jim Gallagher, Research Fellow at Nuffield College Oxford and former Director-General for Devolution; and Robert Hazell, Professor of Government and the Constitution at UCL and Director of the Constitution Unit.
(Image: c. Danny Lawson/PA Wire)