Guardian Editorial Warns Burnham's Devolution Push Needs Stronger Oversight

An editorial published by The Guardian has raised concerns about the accountability structures surrounding English devolution, as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham advances proposals to grant England's mayors greater power and funding.

According to the piece, Burnham has criticized what he calls Britain's "unaccountable state," describing it as simultaneously too powerful and too distant from everyday life. The editorial states that devolution has become a central theme of Burnham's political agenda, but notes that his plans face significant challenges, particularly a diminished landscape of local government scrutiny.

The Guardian's editorial board points to the abolition of the Audit Commission in 2015, a decision made under then-Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron as part of what was described as a "bonfire of the quangos." The piece argues this move deprived the national government of critical information about local government spending, occurring during a period when financially strained councils were reportedly selling assets and pursuing risky investments.

The editorial cites subsequent council bankruptcies and scandals as evidence of what it terms the dangers of "governing in darkness." It specifically references Teesworks, a development project led by Conservative Mayor Ben Houchen, where a 2024 government report reportedly found a "culture of excessive confidentiality."

The editorial concludes that as devolution expands under Burnham's leadership, the government should take note of these accountability gaps and address them alongside any transfer of new powers to regional mayors.