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Liberal Democrats on Government and Devolution

The legal establishment of the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh National Assembly, and Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998, following simple majority referenda, brought the issue of devolution into the focus in the UK. The degree of power devolved to the three regions has been consistently debated, as has debate about governance at the local level. Issues related to the latter include: the introduction of elected mayors and the role of local governments, such as county and borough councils.

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The issues

Liberal Democrats strongly supports rebalancing power between the legislature and the executive in favour of the legislature

"The Parliamentary timetable should be controlled by Parliament, not the government.. …Parliament needs time to scrutinise the government's spending programme, with the ability to amend proposals…Ministerial and high level public sector appointments should be subject to confirmation hearings in Parliament…Early Day Motions with substantial support must be given time for debate and votes and Private Members' Bills given additional time, too. It should no longer be possible for ministers to ‘talk out' private members' bills."

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Liberal Democrats is neutral on allowing Scottish MPs to vote in Westminster on policy issues that only affect England and Wales as a result of devolution

"Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell told the Commons that "once devolution is properly established in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales" voting by the MPs from the nations was "an issue which simply cannot be dismissed." 3 July 2007

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Liberal Democrats supports the devolution of power from central government to local authorities such as County Councils, Borough Councils and Metropolitan Authorities

Vince Cable (Deputy Leader and Shadow Chancellor) 2009 Party Conference Speech: "We believe in local government. Local decision making is more accountable and more efficient... We would give additional roles to councils through health commissioning.  And with that duty should go responsibility including more local revenue raising powers including business rates."

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"We will devolve powers and responsibilities to local people and their councils, freeing them from stifling Whitehall rules and targets. Communities will be free to set their own priorities and targets, and will be given the flexibility they need to tackle the issues they face by giving a power of general competence to councils." (page 12)

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"We will implement the devolution of power to parish, town and community councils so that local people are making the decisions that will affect their communities." (page 17)

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Liberal Democrats strongly opposes the creation of elected mayors’ offices in large English cities, similar to the office of the London Mayor

"The Liberal Democrats have consistently opposed the idea from the outset because it concentrates too much power in individuals and, without the necessary checks and balances, which are not in place under the present legislation, can, and probably will in due course, lead to abuse."

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"We have particular concerns about the routine concentration of power in the hands of one person as in the executive mayor model, especially in ensuring the leadership of a council reflects, as far as possible, the community it represents. Not only would the Liberal Democrats restore the requirement to hold a referendum before creating the post of a directly elected mayor, we would also provide local people with the power to abolish the post of directly elected mayor where it has been introduced."

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