Democracy and Unelected Strong Leaders

Lord Wallace of Saltaire Excerpts

Thursday 3rd April 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD)]

My Lords, is it not the case that reviving local democracy is a necessary part of trying to re-engage people in politics? England is the most centralised democracy in the developed world. Sadly, this Government are following the Michael Gove approach of removing government further away from local people. Will they rethink the need to make sure that democracy and government are close enough to ordinary people for them to feel that they can participate in meaningful decisions?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

My Lords, I door-knock and campaign every weekend—the joys of being engaged to a Member of Parliament. This Government are clear on our responsibilities to our local electorates and about making sure that local people feel that they have a voice in our politics. That is why we are bringing forward a devolution Bill.