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Governmental decisions affect a widespread population from varying cultural and sociological backgrounds. This is made all the more complex when diversity is approached as a cohort rather than individuals. In too many cases we see a one size fits all culture in the development of nationwide policy, which is made all the more complex in keeping individuals happy and content with decisions existing predominantly outside of their control. These centralised decisions imposed upon them are often issued with little to no contextual understanding of the direct impacts that these actions have until they happen.
Dr Richard Armour formerly said that politics seemed to him to be “concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong” and now in a world that faces mounting frustrations at the hands of a ruthless and perpetually growing pandemic, governmental authority and its decisions are being questioned more and more.
Take, for example, the education industry. As a result of the indecisive nature of the education secretary and centralised governing, secondary and primary school establishments have been forced to ride a choppy of sea of changing policies and procedures, and last minute U-turns. This has repeatedly required the unnecessary chaos and increased pressure of providing stable and effective provision. Something arguably that would have been more effective from a localised standpoint. With the chaotic nature in which this has been handled as an example, a crisis point in education has been amplified.
According to an Education Watchdog, ‘65% of teachers have considered leaving the profession due to poor wellbeing’ and ‘over two-thirds (37%) have considered this in the last two years" (FE News, 2021). Too frequently decisions are being made with too little consideration for a diverse population and those who face the consequences seem to be primarily, educational professionals and the students in the care. The impetuous guidance on policies and alterations to new procedure outline rulings over teachers, have only forced them to dance all the more to an outdated tune in intolerable circumstances. Sprung from this, education becomes a barren and unsustainable pool of talent that side-step the opportunity to make an impact in the classroom. I think then it is fair to assume that if the closing of schools, the preparation of virtual learning platforms and provisions had been handled regionally, we would have seen more organisation driven by the contextual sphere of geographic location in response to rising cases and circumstances.
In addition to this, a further example of the benefits of regional authority can be found in the health sector. Here the debate arises out of a need to deliver universal access to health care services based on equality. With the NHS on the borders of becoming overwhelmed, there is certainly need for flexibility and adaptability based upon localised administration of health care services. But with limited budgets, and increasing demand we see struggles emerging as medical professionals clamber to provide the service they aspired to when joining the field.
According to Steven Dorrell, Senior advisor to the KMPG, ‘giving local authorities greater ownership of provision will help them redesign services […] to meet local demand’ (Dorrell, 2016). And thus, by issuing differentiated and localised care, what is at present an overwhelmed NHS would become arguably more stable and effective. This would enable medical professionals to respond more appropriately with a broader knowledge base of the contextual landscape of their localised region, and thus prioritise spending more appropriately. Medical care then must be closer to the people in order to meet its arising and increasing needs.
This argument has focused primarily upon two significant sectors within society, but conceding this, the landscape of politics is broad and expansive. Evidence certainly points to the benefits of regional empowerment on political spending and implementation across governmental services. Moreover, it seems all the more effective when looking at arguably two of the most crucial public services issued within the UK.
Channel, F., 2021. Close To Two Thirds Of Teachers Considering Leaving Profession Due To Poor Wellbeing. [online] FE News. Available at: https://www.fenews.co.uk/press-releases/58218-close-to-two-thirds-of-teachers-considering-leaving-profession-due-to-poor-wellbeing [Accessed 8 January 2021].
Dorrell, S., 2016. How To Achieve A Sustainable Health And Care Service.. [online] Localis. Available at: https://www.localis.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Local-Empowerment-FINAL.pdf [Accessed 8 January 2021].
I do see your point, but would you not agree that there needs to be some standardized guidelines in order for the country to run appropriately? For me, an example where regional districts' authority sometimes backfires could be Spain.
In Spain, each region has its own government and there is a lot more independence in political policy, as well as the education sector as you mentioned. But this does come with its own disadvantages. Looking no further than the pandemic response, each region had its own guidelines and rules to follow. In some, people could travel freely, while others did not allow people to leave or travel through them. This led to some regions being “locked in” despite their rules allowing them to travel. There was also mixed messaging from the government and regional governments, and not enough communication between the different regions, leading to discrepancies in testing.
A more centralized approach could have avoided some of the miscommunication and sent a clearer message to Spanish people.
I strongly agree with this opinion. I think many regional / local authorities feel ignored by the national government, there is frustration that they only focus on the areas they deem the most important i.e. London. If there was more use of regional government then I am sure that the population in those areas would feel that their voices and needs are being heard louder. Policies would be able to adapt to the specific needs of each region, rather than a 'one size shoe fits all' approach.
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