Rutland Lieutenancy

Lord Caine Excerpts

Tuesday 15th July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I think that is probably a question for my noble friend Lord Collins to answer, rather than me. But the point is that this issue of devolution will provide greater power and decision-making, and greater funding, for all our local areas. That is a benefit to all of us in the country, and I look forward to working with all areas, including Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, as we move these proposals forward. It is a great project we are working on, and the community empowerment part of the Bill is as important as the English devolution part.

[Lord Caine (Con)]

My Lords, it is over 50 years since one of the most unloved reforms of local government in our history. Given the changes that are now taking place, has the time not now come to drop altogether the word “county” from local government administrative units and to restore, for ceremonial purposes, including by realigning lieutenancies, all our historic counties with their traditional boundaries, including of course the Ridings of God’s own county of Yorkshire?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

We all want to see all power and strength to Yorkshire. None of us would be without our Yorkshire Tea, would we? It is very important. At the moment, local government is engaged not only in local government reorganisation but in the devolution project. We will consider whether any further realignment of ceremonial boundaries is necessary, and there will be some areas where further legislation is needed on this. For the moment, we will work with local government to do the reorganisation. If the noble Lord wants to talk to me further about the West Riding or anywhere else, I am happy to have that discussion with him.