‘Nice guy’ Minister may give impetus to devolution talks
THE APPOINTMENT of James Brokenshire as Local Government Secretary could being new impetus to the campaign for a Yorkshire-wide devolution deal, according to an MP.
Former Northern Ireland secretary Mr Brokenshire, who has recently returned to Westminster after treatment for cancer, will lead the department with responsibility for transferring powers and resources from Whitehall to local authorities.
Mr Brokenshire’s position on Yorkshire devolution is unclear, but a Whitehall source who has worked closely with him suggested his affability could be vital in negotiations, and that he was able to persuade Sinn Fein and the DUP to get along with him during fraught talks on Northern Ireland power-sharing.
The source said: “It’s quite difficult to dislike James in any way, even if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool political opponent, he is such a genuinely nice guy with no edge to him or side to him at all. So in terms of dealing with Labour-run local authorities, as much as any Conservative Secretary of State is going to get on with them, James will.” Keighley MP John Grogan, a prominent supporter of a Yorkshire-wide devolution agreement, said: “I hope the appointment of a new Secretary of State will bring fresh impetus to the campaign for One Yorkshire devolution. As a former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Brokenshire knows all about the need to devolve power away from Whitehall. I hope he will take a keen interest in the issue.
“What greater political legacy could he leave for his tenure in office than being known as the man who led the negotiations which resulted in the election of the first mayor of Yorkshire?”
Only a few hours after his new role was announced, Mr Brokenshire was in the Commons for the scheduled communities, housing and local government questions session with MPs. But he left Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry to respond when Mr Grogan asked what progress had been made in considering the Yorkshire proposals.