Starmer Confirms Council of Nations and Regions

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed he will establish a new Council of the Nations and Regions, which will involve the first ministers of the three devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland as well as elected regional mayors. The planned body will replace the joint ministerial councils which brought ministers from Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast together with UK Government ministers. It is intended to provide a platform for more localised discussion and decision-making on issues affecting the four nations and various regions of the UK, following Labour’s promise of a “devolution revolution.” Starmer said that under the previous Conservative government, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak “didn’t bother turning up” to such meetings, and instead sent then chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove to deputise for him....