Devolution in England: International Perspectives, Politics and Policy Ideas
19-21 June 2017
University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
The Centre for Federal Studies at the University of Kent convened this conference on ‘Devolution in England: international perspectives, politics and policy ideas after Brexit’ on 20-21 June 2017 in Canterbury, together with the Canada-based Forum of Federations, the James Madison Charitable Trust and the Federal Trust.
A gathering of leading politicians, as well as senior academics and influential policy-makers, reflecting on the emerging federal shape of the United Kingdom and in particular on how to devolve power to England and its constituent parts – towns, cities and counties, with the aim to draw on cutting-edge research and experience of federal devolution in countries such as Canada, Germany or Switzerland in order to formulate fresh policy ideas.
Speakers:
Thibaud Bodson (Free University Berlin)
Jonathan Carr-West (LGiU)
Rupak Chattopadhyay (Forum of Federations)
César Colino (St Antony’s, Oxford & Open University, Spain)
John Denham (University of Winchester)
Klaus Detterbeck (University of Göttingen)
Lord (Maurice) Glasman (House of Lords)
Willi Haag (former member of the Council of St. Gallen)
Lucio Levi (University of Turin)
Mark Morrin (ResPublica)
Meg Russell (UCL)
Jane Wills (Queen Mary University of London)
Programme and information on sessions:
Tuesday 20 June 2017
Session 1. Federal Devolution in Theory and Practice (I): new concepts
Chair: Rupak Chattopadhyay (Forum of Federations)
Confirmed speakers: Thibaud Bodson (Free University Berlin); Jonathan Carr-West (LGiU); Paolo Dardanelli (Kent); Neophytos Loizides (Kent)
Session 2. Federal Devolution in Theory and Practice (II): examples from Canada, Germany, Spain and Switzerland
Chair: Felix Knüpling (Forum of Federations)
Confirmed speakers: Rupak Chattopadhyay (Forum of Federations); César Colino (St Antony’s, Oxford & Open University, Spain); Klaus Detterbeck (University of Göttingen); Willi Haag (Council of St. Gallen)
Session 3. A new constitutional settlement for England in a more federal UK?
Chair: Adrian Pabst (Kent)
Confirmed speakers: Maurice Glasman (Labour Life Peer); Meg Russell (UCL)
Session 4. English devolution: advances and limits of city and metro mayors
Chair: Rupak Chattopadhyay (Forum of Federations)
Confirmed keynote speaker: John Denham (former Cabinet Minister; University of Winchester)
Invited panellists: Jon Cruddas (Labour parliamentary candidate for Dagenham and Rainham), tbc; Andrew Percy (Minister for Northern Powerhouses), tbc; Richard Brown (Centre for London), confirmed
Post-dinner Panel conversation on the life and legacy of John Pinder
Chair: Terry Bishop (Chair, JMCT)
Confirmed panellists: Stanley Henig (Vice Chair, JMCT); Lucio Levi (University of Turin); Angus Sladen (Honorary Treasurer, JMCT)
Wednesday 21 June 2017
Session 5. New policy ideas for a devolved settlement in England: more mayors, stronger counties, or an English parliament?
Chair: Adrian Pabst (Kent)
Confirmed speakers: Jonathan Carr-West (LGiU); Mark Morrin (ResPublica); Jane Wills (Queen Mary London)
Session 6. Brexit and the consequences for devolved external affairs
Chair: Brendan Donnelly (Federal Trust)
Speaker: Richard Whitman (Kent), author of “Devolved External Affairs: The Impact of Brexit”, research paper published by Chatham House
Invited discussant: Yeshim Harris (Engi Conflict Management); Nicholas Whyte (APCO, Brussels)
Session 7. Panel debate: federal devolution in a comparative perspective
Invited Chair: Mary Southcott (Vice Chair, Campaign for the English Regions)
Confirmed panellist: Clive Grace (Cardiff Business School); Feargal Cochrane (Kent)
Roundtable discussion with Rupak Chattopadhyay (Forum of Federations); César Colino (St Antony’s, Oxford & Open University, Spain); Klaus Detterbeck (University of Göttingen); Willi Haag (Council of St. Gallen)
