‘Rewiring England at devolution event

THERE'S clearly something about the Nexus building, on the edge of Leeds city centre, that makes it the perfect setting for politicians who want to talk up the benefits of handing over powers to local leaders.

-  ROB PARSONS

In March 2020, then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak signed the long-awaited West Yorkshire devolution deal there. Nearly three years later, it was the setting for former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to unveil his Commission on the UK's Future about how the country's political system could be rewired.

Now, in December 2024, politicians and the media gathered again at the University of Leeds' cutting-edge innovation and enterprise centre for an event Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, described as "something pretty historic".