Following our detailed scrutiny in October, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (EDCE) came back before the House of Commons this month. I have been warning about the impacts of this Bill, and I regret to say that the Government has not listened.
From the outset, I set out my support for much of the Government’s ambitions. I support their ambition to deliver more homes, I support their ambition to grow the economy, and I support their ambition to deliver true devolution across the country. This legislation, however, stifles house building, strips communities of their voice and increases centralisation.
It is now evident that the Government is seeking to use this Bill to further its ideological goals. Through the legislation, the Labour party will remove councillors, allow unlimited tax rises to support failed Labour administrations and govern communities through Ministerial diktat.
In the debate this week, the Conservative Party forced votes on protecting local democracy, protecting residents from tax rises and ensuring homes are built in the right places. Sadly, the Government did not accept any of our reasonable amendments.
