Introduction

To study the changing fortunes of regional politics and policy in the UK is to take a case of apparently significant contradictions.On the one hand the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with a population of over 55 million, an economy among the top ten in the world and an imperial past that still gives it a global reach, may initially appear a highly stable consolidated state. On the other hand, the UK incorporates a territorial complexity that should be obvious from its title. The UK is a composite state made up of a union of England, the biggest nation by territory and population, with three other nations/regions:Wales (since 1536), Scotland (since 1707) and Northern Ireland (since 1921, previously Ireland 1800-1921). Prior to 1997 this territorial dimension was accommodated for by a variety of constitutional, political and administrative arrangements.There had been a phase of political devolution only in Northern Ireland, when an elected assembly sat between 1921 and 1972. Between 1997 and 1999, however, following proposals made by the Labour Government, led by Tony Blair, referenda votes led to a transformation of political representation and government across the UK. Scotland was granted a devolved Parliament with primary legislative and tax varying powers; Wales a devolved assembly with secondary legislative powers; and Northern Ireland new legislative and executive structures based on a devolved assembly. In England, a directly elected mayor and authority were introduced for Greater London, and in all nine English regions development agencies were established. In each region these were to work in conjunction with central government offices of the regions, as well as regional chambers (later assemblies), representing the regional stakeholders.