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Reposted by Jack Newman

PSA Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group @psalocalpol.bsky.social · 7d

Sneak peek at the agenda 👀
The PSA’s Local Politics and Governance specialist group's devolution workshop.
📅 24 Nov – featuring:
🗣️ Prof Tony Travers (LSE) on fiscal devolution
🗣️ Prof Donna Hall CBE on local leadership
Join the discussion – hybrid format, register here: www.psa.ac.uk/specialist-g...

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Jack Newman @jacknewman.bsky.social · 8d

Great to feature on the @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk podcast.

A really interesting conversation about inequality.

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 8d

New Crossing Channels podcast for November

@jacknewman.bsky.social, Angélique Acquatella & Pinelopi Koujianou debate what really drives inequality — from technology & trade to health & local policy — & how institutions can bridge the gap between national goals & everyday realities.

pod.fo/e/3497ac

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Reposted by Jack Newman

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk · 8d

New Crossing Channels podcast for November

@jacknewman.bsky.social, Angélique Acquatella & Pinelopi Koujianou debate what really drives inequality — from technology & trade to health & local policy — & how institutions can bridge the gap between national goals & everyday realities.

pod.fo/e/3497ac

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Jack Newman @jacknewman.bsky.social · 11d

The English Indices of Multiple Deprivation was published yesterday.

It is an important moment to acknowledge the stark inequalities that exist between places in this country.

And to reflect on the political consequences of place-based disparities.

www.gov.uk/government/s...

English indices of deprivation 2025: statistical release

www.gov.uk

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Jack Newman @jacknewman.bsky.social · 13d

Interesting piece arguing that we need to loosen the tie binding devolution with economic outcomes in England.

www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...

@haylesben.bsky.social @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social Mhairi-Jean Ross & Sioned Pearce

The growth gamble: Do we need to loosen the tie binding devolution with economic outcomes in England? - RSA Main

Earlier in 2025, the UK government announced a commitment to reduce spending on disability benefits by restructuring entitlements and eligibility to various health-related benefits. It claims through ...

www.regionalstudies.org

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Reposted by Jack Newman

PSA Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group @psalocalpol.bsky.social · Oct 7

🚨 Workshop announcement:

English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

📅 24 Nov 2025 | Hybrid format

Join top experts to discuss the future of local governance in England.

👤 Hosted by the PSA Local Politics and Governance specialist group.

🔗 Register now: www.psa.ac.uk/specialist-g...

Hybrid Workshop - English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - Possibilities and (Missed?) Opportunities | The Political Studies Association (PSA)

PSA Local Governance and Politics Specialist Group WorkshopDate: 24 November 2025Time: 12:30 – 17:00 GMTLocation: Online, and limited in person spaces available at the Political Studies Association, E...

www.psa.ac.uk

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Jack Newman @jacknewman.bsky.social · Sep 26

Thanks Duncan! Yes, life is settling after a chaotic summer of moving jobs/houses! Hope all is well with you. Hopefully see you in Sheffield at some point soon!

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Reposted by Jack Newman

PSA Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group @psalocalpol.bsky.social · Sep 26

New from Joanie Willett

Navigating Changing Economies and Rural Policy: Left Behind Places or Left Behind People

"Current scholarship focusses on the infrastructures,organisations and economies in a space but risks overlooking theimportance of understanding the lives of the people that live there"

Navigating Changing Economies and Rural Policy: LeftBehind Places or Left Behind People?

Joanie Willett
University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

ABSTRACTPlace-based studies of regional policy ask how places can better adapt to economic and social changes. This is especially prescientfor research and policy supporting ‘left-behind’ regions. This paper amends this question, asking not how placesadapt, but how thepeople living and working within them navigate change. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in Cornwall in the United Kingdomand the Southwest of Virginia, USA, the paper uses the complex adaptive region assemblage to explore how locals make sense oftheir changing region and the opportunities that they imagine are available. The paper argues that regional policy needs to reflectthat supportive communities are crucial for individuals as they try to navigate changes to their local economies but that currentlymany community supports are unable to connect people to assemblages where new opportunities exist. Inadequate understandingof peoples lives can lead to ineffective policy-making with lasting implications.

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Jack Newman @jacknewman.bsky.social · Sep 26

The Pride in Place Strategy was published yesterday (despite being immediately burried by ID cards news!)

In many ways its levelling up continuity, but it also contains a blueprint for neighbourhood governance that could soon be rolled out nationally. A space to watch.

www.gov.uk/government/c...

Pride in Place

Documents and guidance relating to the government’s Pride in Place Strategy, which will help build stronger communities, create thriving places and empower local people.

www.gov.uk

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Jack Newman @jacknewman.bsky.social · Sep 26

Great to be back at Manchester Uni @manchester.ac.uk

research.manchester.ac.uk/en/persons/j...

I'll be investigating the changing spatial footprint & governance structures of the NHS. As always, I'm interested in how decentralisation and placemaking can deliver better policy and a fairer country.

Jack Newman

research.manchester.ac.uk

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Reposted by Jack Newman

IPR @uniofbathipr.bsky.social · Jul 31

A new paper by @geoffbates.bsky.social, Pablo Newberry, Rachael McClatchey, @jacknewman.bsky.social and @sarahayres.bsky.social explores how health is integrated in urban development, and how to bring about change to support healthier development.

Read it here: doi.org/10.1186/s129...

How can health be further integrated in urban development policymaking in the United Kingdom? A systems mapping approach - Health Research Policy and Systems

Background In the United Kingdom the government’s new health mission aims to reduce the burden on healthcare services by shifting from treating poor health to prevention. Delivering this requires acti...

doi.org

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Reposted by Jack Newman

Political Quarterly @politicalquarterly.bsky.social · Jul 23

Localism, Levelling up, and Taking Back Control: tensions in the ambiguous justification of English devolution

@jmchickson.bsky.social @jacknewman.bsky.social

#Englishdevolution #politicaldecentralisation #takingbackcontrol #levellingup #localism

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

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Reposted by Jack Newman

Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place @livuniheseltine.bsky.social · Jul 21

New article in @politicalquarterly.bsky.social by @jmchickson.bsky.social and @jacknewman.bsky.social - a timely intervention following the recent publication of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Localism, Levelling Up and Taking Back Control: Tensions in the Ambiguous Justification of English Devolution

There is an increasingly powerful argument for the decentralisation of policy making in England's highly centralised political context. In recent years, this issue has represented one of the clearest....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Reposted by Jack Newman

James Hickson @jmchickson.bsky.social · Jul 21

NEW: @jacknewman.bsky.social and I have just published our new article 'Localism, Levelling Up and Taking Back Control: Tensions in the Ambiguous Justification of English Devolution' open access in @politicalquarterly.bsky.social. Read the article here: doi.org/10.1111/1467...

Localism, Levelling Up and Taking Back Control: Tensions in the Ambiguous Justification of English Devolution

There is an increasingly powerful argument for the decentralisation of policy making in England's highly centralised political context. In recent years, this issue has represented one of the clearest...

doi.org

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Reposted by Jack Newman

PSA Public Policy & Administration Specialist Group @psapublicpolicy.bsky.social · Apr 10

Starting our specialist group panel previews, our first @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social panel on Monday at 9:30 will explore contextual instability, policy fatalism and mission-driven government. Looking forward to it! Featuring:
@helencsullivan.bsky.social
Brenton Prosser
@jacknewman.bsky.social

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Reposted by Jack Newman

PSA Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group @psalocalpol.bsky.social · Apr 9

We're very excited about next week's Political Studies Association Conference @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social

🧵Here's a thread of the sessions run by the Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group

Hopefully see you there!

@peckersley.bsky.social @tjarnold.bsky.social

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Jack Newman @jacknewman.bsky.social · Mar 28

🚨🆕 New paper published online today 🆕🚨

'How Democratically Elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times'

Published OPEN ACCESS in @regionalstudies.bsky.social: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

@sarahayres.bsky.social @marksandford.bsky.social @geoffbates.bsky.social

This article explores how democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times. Drawing
on 132 interviews with decision-makers in England, it uses the case of healthy urban development to explore the role of
elected mayors in mission delivery. Findings show that mayors can be figureheads for a place, work directly towards
national missions, implement cross-cutting programmes, convene partnerships, and lead local innovations with new
evidence and data. However, more central government support is needed with investment in capacity, a broader range
of powers, and greater freedom from central targets and siloes.

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Reposted by Jack Newman

Mark Sandford @marksandford.bsky.social · Mar 28

Pleased to see this one over the line, working with @sarahayres.bsky.social @jacknewman.bsky.social @geoffbates.bsky.social and Andrew Barnfield www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... Tl:dr; mayors can convene partnerships and lead on preventative policy but need capacity and discretion

How democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times

This article explores how democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times. Drawing on 132 interviews with decision-makers in England, it uses the case of heal...

www.tandfonline.com

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Reposted by Jack Newman

PSA Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group @psalocalpol.bsky.social · Mar 27

The UK Association for Public Administration (UKAPA) will be holding its second conference at Ulster University in Belfast on 11-12 September. There will be a doctoral conference on the day prior to the full event.

buff.ly/2nEqMKO

@ukapa-1918.bsky.social

UKAPA 2025 Conference

UKAPA annual conference Ulster University~ Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK Thursday 11 – Friday 12 September 2025 (& Doctoral Conference, Wednesday 10 September 2025)

buff.ly

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Jack Newman @jacknewman.bsky.social · Mar 25

I've taken on the comms role for @psalocalpol.bsky.social

Please do follow and share. We'll be sharing the latest academic and policy research about local government, local politics, devolution etc.

PSA Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group @psalocalpol.bsky.social · Mar 25

Hello Bluesky!!

We are the Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group of the Political Studies Association @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social.

Convened by @peckersley.bsky.social, @tjarnold.bsky.social, Joanie Willett, & @jacknewman.bsky.social.

We'll be posting the latest research on local politics.

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Reposted by Jack Newman

Pete Eckersley @peckersley.bsky.social · Mar 25

Great to have @psalocalpol.bsky.social now on Bluesky, and thanks a lot to @jacknewman.bsky.social for taking over our specialist group communications.

Give them a follow! 👇

PSA Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group @psalocalpol.bsky.social · Mar 25

Hello Bluesky!!

We are the Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group of the Political Studies Association @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social.

Convened by @peckersley.bsky.social, @tjarnold.bsky.social, Joanie Willett, & @jacknewman.bsky.social.

We'll be posting the latest research on local politics.

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Reposted by Jack Newman

PSA Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group @psalocalpol.bsky.social · Mar 25

Hello Bluesky!!

We are the Local Politics & Governance Specialist Group of the Political Studies Association @polstudiesassoc.bsky.social.

Convened by @peckersley.bsky.social, @tjarnold.bsky.social, Joanie Willett, & @jacknewman.bsky.social.

We'll be posting the latest research on local politics.

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Jack Newman @jacknewman.bsky.social · Mar 24

Is "negligent" the right word here?

It was an active choice not to revert the mayoral voting system. All the voices feeding into govt said to change. Ministers talked about changing it. Then didn't.

The Govt. seem to think that defending local FPTP is important for defending national FPTP.

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Reposted by Jack Newman

Re:State @re-state.bsky.social · Mar 5

Last chance to sign up to our first 'Meeting with Mayors' webinars kicking off at 11.30 this morning!

We'll be joined by Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands.

Sign up here 👇👇👇

us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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Reposted by Jack Newman

Jennifer Williams @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social · Mar 4

Was on deadline for something else when this landed yesterday, but it looks a lot like the last govt’s “long term plan for towns”.

Slightly more money (£1.5bn/£1.1bn), slightly more areas (75/55)

Quick comparison with original NW towns = the same towns with 3 added

www.gov.uk/government/p...

Plan for Neighbourhoods: prospectus

www.gov.uk

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