Sue Gray’s fears for Stormont and calls for greater UK-wide collaboration

Baroness Sue Gray, former chief of staff to Keir Starmer, shares her apprehensions about Stormont's stability and advocates for a metro mayor model in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Sue Gray, a prominent figure in UK politics, has recently expressed her apprehensions about the future of Stormont, the devolved government in Northern Ireland. Her comments came during an event organized by the SDLP in Belfast where she discussed the relationships between Ireland, Britain, and the prospects of constitutional change.

Gray, who previously served as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff and authored the infamous party-gate investigation report, has a rich background in both Whitehall and the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Her insights into the functioning of devolved governments are therefore particularly valuable.

Advocating for greater collaboration

During her speech, Gray emphasized the need for improved collaboration between Whitehall and the devolved administrations. She recounted her experiences at the Stormont Department of Finance, highlighting the lack of inclusion in policy discussions. “I think there is a feeling, and I felt this when I was in the Department of Finance, you know, my colleagues, they were my colleagues in the UK government, there were people that I would have sat down with before I’d come here, and I would go back and sit down with,” she stated.

Gray lamented the abrupt nature of policy announcements, often conveyed via phone calls on the morning of their implementation. She argued that involving devolved governments in these discussions could lead to more inclusive and effective policymaking. “How that could have been so different if the devolved government had sat round that table and had contributed to that discussion, and I do think that is something that we need to do more of,” she asserted.

Concerns about Stormont’s functionality

Gray’s concerns extended to the current functioning of devolved government at Stormont. She expressed her fears for its stability, stating, “I do fear for Stormont, and I do think that people here deserve action and decisions, and that is a joint responsibility across many people.” Her comments underscore the pressing need for effective governance and decision-making in Northern Ireland.

In her address, Gray proposed the introduction of a metro mayor model across the devolved regions to empower city authorities with more decision-making powers. Specifically, she suggested establishing metro mayors for Belfast and Londonderry aiming to enhance local governance and responsiveness.

Support for Andy Burnham’s vision

Gray also voiced her support for andy burnham‘s reported plan to relocate part of the Downing Street operation to Manchester if he succeeds Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. She believed that this move would send a powerful signal to government departments, emphasizing the importance of decentralization. “It sends a very powerful signal to government departments who, you know, do think everything happens in Whitehall and London,” she remarked.

Furthermore, Gray expressed her hope that Burnham is well-equipped to counter the challenge posed by Reform UK. She highlighted his extensive experience, both in Manchester and in Whitehall, as valuable assets. “If Andy is the successor (to Sir Keir), I think that his experience, not just in actually, you know, working in Manchester, he’s also worked in Whitehall previously and held Secretary of State positions, so he can bring a lot of experience to the fore,” she concluded.