This pandemic is exposing the fundamental problem with our current devolution settlement. No one can answer the fundamental question of Who Governs with any consistent hierarchy. It's a mess.
Council leaders and metro mayors have a pulsating bully pulpit, engorged on and off by a government implying it has to cut deals to exercise the power it already has.
Meanwhile the lower leaders of devolved nations are acting as rivals to the national executive- unwitting beneficiaries of unprecedented power accidentally falling their way in a hurried muddle.
So keen to flex their newfound power, they strive for difference for the sake of it.
So keen to flex their newfound power, they strive for difference for the sake of it.
Power is routinely exercised without responsibility.
Lower rung leaders presiding over worse crisis escape the blame that is heaped on central Government.
Lower rung leaders presiding over worse crisis escape the blame that is heaped on central Government.
Even within England different areas under the same restrictions are under differing levels of devolution and receive differing levels of support.
All this creates not just a cocktail of chaos, but packs a new powder keg for those looking to make political capital out of tragedy.
All this creates not just a cocktail of chaos, but packs a new powder keg for those looking to make political capital out of tragedy.
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