Devolution in the South West

Last year, the RSA, in partnership with the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative (BCCI), organised a series of events around the south-west to debate the government's proposals for a devolved regional assembly in the region.

The government's proposals for creating devolved regional assemblies for the English regions were published in May 2002 in a White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions. Given these proposals' serious and far-reaching consequences for the economic, cultural, social and environmental wellbeing of all who live and work in the south-west, the RSA thought it important to study them, and any alternatives, in an independent and informed manner which could be used to assist the government in selecting the right choice or choices for the future.

Following a series of four conferences, the RSA's 'Interim Observations' were sent to the deputy prime minister in spring 2003 and the final report was published in June 2004.