Commenting on the publication of the Justice Committee report on devolution (published 24 May 2009), Director of Unlock Democracy Peter Facey – who gave oral evidence to the Committee – said:

“Devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are key achievements of the Labour government but a decade on and governance in the UK is still highly centralised.

“Devolution in the UK will always be an evolving process rather than a one off reform, but under our current constitution that process lacks a clear set of rules and boundaries. It is crucial that Parliament and government sets out an open and transparent process for citizens, local authorities and devolved assemblies to demand additional powers. Where there is a clear public support for such a proposal, central government should not be able to block it.

“We already have a framework in place for demanding new powers at a local government level, with the public able to petition for new parish councils and directly elected mayors. We simply need to move on to the next stage.

“It is disappointing that the Justice Committee failed to come to any real conclusions in their report about devolution in England. With the debate for further devolution rolling on in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, England remains stuck in the mire. We urgently need Parliament to provide leadership on this question.”

A transcript of the oral evidence given by Peter Facey to the Justice Committee on 19 February 2008 can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/4w7ocd