The politics of shaping place

The UK faces well-documented twin crises: stagnant growth and a politics that leaves many people feeling unheard. National debate too often swings between pessimism and polarisation, offering little sense of renewal.

Against this backdrop, the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool might have been expected to be downbeat. Instead, the tone was determined and hopeful, focused on the idea that the future lies in devolved leadership and local pride.

The conference was guided by a simple insight: gloom alone does not inspire action.

In his keynote speech, the Prime Minister rejected the notion that Britain is ‘broken', highlighting opportunities for investment and innovation throughout the country's regions.

More importantly, he contrasted the prevailing national narrative of pessimism with the reality of hope and resilience found in communities and local leaders: volunteers rebuilding libraries after riots, residents restoring civic spaces and grassroots initiatives transforming neighbourhoods. These examples show that political engagement and economic energy often thrive when led locally, rather than dictated from Westminster.

There is growing evidence for this. In 2023, the North West contributed more to national productivity growth than any other region, compared with pre-pandemic levels. Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester outpaced the UK overall. While national economic progress has stalled, devolved areas with strong local leadership are starting to chart a new course.

Regional mayors and council leaders hammered home the message at conference that devolved leadership, supported by locally tailored growth strategies, can achieve what central government often cannot – translating economic policy into tangible improvements for communities.

Concepts like inclusive growth are being turned into visible results – new jobs, better transport, stronger family hubs and expanded housing.

The Government's £5bn Pride in Place strategy, launched on the eve of conference, reflects this approach.

Headlines focus on regenerating 339 neighbourhoods, but the deeper significance lies in the method: each area will co-create its vision with residents, businesses and community organisations. With only £750,000 per area available before next May's local elections, the impact depends less on the money than on giving people a real stake in shaping their communities.

Conference speakers reinforced this message. Georgia Gould, minister at the Department for Education, noted that ‘communities – teachers, parents, local leaders – know the problems and how to solve them, yet central government often fails to learn from these local solutions'.

Helen Godwin, mayor of the West of England, highlighted how she is using her local growth strategy to strengthen the everyday economy, focusing on childcare and social care to ensure growth benefits people's daily lives, not only high-tech sectors.

Oliver Coppard, mayor of South Yorkshire, put it plainly: ‘Our communities are prepared to accept failure…but what they can't accept is not trying new approaches.'

The focus is starting to shift. While last year's debates often emphasised national industrial strategy and supporting high-profile ‘winners', attention is increasingly on everyday realities – the foundational economy, visible public services and linking historic identity with future development. Local leadership and community-driven projects show how policy can be translated into tangible, lasting benefits for people in their own areas.

Yet engagement remains a challenge. Turnout at mayoral elections is low, just 24% in Liverpool City Region in 2024, reflecting broader political disengagement and the need to communicate more clearly the role of mayors and combined authorities.

Devolution is not a panacea, but it offers a partial remedy. By giving local leaders the autonomy to act and delivering improvements residents can see and experience, it creates an opportunity to rebuild trust in politics. Combined authorities can contribute to this by design. Their governance requires collaboration across councils and parties, incentivising practical consensus and a more deliberative approach than the often-polarised dynamics of Westminster.

The Government has begun to articulate a more positive national vision, but turning it into reality depends on local leadership, strong partnerships across tiers of government and communities empowered to shape priorities in their own areas. If the UK is to move beyond stagnation and disengagement, devolution is essential.