Event
20 September, 2026
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Liberal Democrat Party Conference: Power to the places: a Liberal vision for place-based approaches

Britain remains one of the most centralised countries in the developed world. Local leaders are expected to tackle rising demand, economic inequality and increasingly complex social problems, but too often lack the powers, resources and freedoms needed to act.  

There is now a growing opportunity to change that, as we enter a new era for ‘place-based’ approaches. Devolution is expanding, localised approaches to place-based public-service reform are being tested, and the case for giving local areas greater autonomy over funding is moving rapidly up the political agenda. But will these reforms genuinely transfer power, or simply ask places to deliver centrally determined priorities? And will the expansion of devolution reach local authorities, or remain narrowly focused on quasi-regional strategic authorities and their mayors? What lessons might be learned from the experience of existing national and city region devolution across the UK?  

Re:State is delighted to host this Liberal Democrat Party Conference roundtable with Lisa Smart MP, Liberal Democrats Cabinet Office Spokesperson to explore how greater devolution and local autonomy can translate into more effective, place-based public services.  

This private roundtable will be held in-person and will take place under the Chatham House rule and is kindly supported by Core Cities.