‘You couldn’t make it up’: Sunak sinks devolution deal

‘SO CLOSE’: The boundary between Hull and the East Riding

EXCLUSIVE

By Angus Young

Rishi Sunak’s decision to hold a snap General Election has sunk the current Hull and East Riding devolution deal.

Setting polling day on July 4 means Parliament will be dissolved at the end of the month, leaving no time to complete the necessary procedural steps required to formally establish a new combined authority for the region and a mayoral election next year.

East Riding councillors had given a final endorsement of the deal just days ago while councillors in Hull were due to give their consent at a meeting scheduled to take place next month.

Insead, local politicians and business leaders will now have to wait for the outcome of the General Election to see what stance a new government takes on devolution.

Labour has already indicated it will pursue a different approach to the issue if the party wins power.

In any event, the prospect of a mayoral election next May now looks extremely doubtful.

In an email sent to members of the Hull and  East Riding Business Engagement Board, its chairman Thomas Martin, said: “Yesterday’s announcement could not have come at a worse time.

“I have sessions planned with both local authorities to discuss the private sector involvement as we were due to establish a shadow combined authority within 24 hours of our deal being agreed – that was due from September and we were working that through.

“It is now too late to get our plans on the Order books before Parliament disbands into recess and purdah – you could not make it up.”

Mr Martin said Labour was currently giving “mixed messages” over its ideas on devolution which only added to renewed uncertainty over the future.

He added: “This is going to twist and turn just as it has for the last seven years. Already we have had to deal with seven different council leaders, a number of chief executives, numerous parties, five phases of local elections, disgruntled MPs and now a General Election.

“I will continue to meet with both local authorities and will contact the Labour MPs as well.

“We were so, so close but must not give up as our region deserves a better future.

“All we want is a collective voice and an economic leader to champion our region to whoever is in power at Westminster.”

City council leader, Councillor Mike Ross, said: “We are awaiting guidance from the Government about how they view the impact of the General Election.

“From our perspective, we are exploring what options are available to us.”

He added: “Devolution is one of a number of important issues facing the area, but there are also a whole range of challenges facing the city that a new government would need to address and as an administration we are ready to work with any government to get the best for Hull.”