Richard Crossman, Harold Wilson and devolution, 1966-70: the making of government policy |
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Authors: | Tanner Duncan |
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Affiliation: | University of Wales Bangor |
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Abstract: | This article expands our understanding of devolution, the Britishconstitution, the Wilson government of 196670 and thecareers and attitudes of Richard Crossman and Harold Wilson.It shows that devolution was debated not as a simply Celticaffair, but as part of a long-standing Labour concern with reformingthe machinery of government. This interestexpressedby Crossman amongst othersbecame submerged by other eventsand pressures. Perceived nationalist successes and the conflictingaims of (divided) Labour parties in Scotland and Wales pushedout Crossman's little-studied desire to replace nationaldevolution with regional devolution across the UK. Wilsonadopted the delaying tactic of a Royal Commission on the Constitution.Using a wide range of private, governmental and Labour sourcesfrom across the UK, the article shows the interchange of policydebate between London and the Celtic fringe. Inthe process, the article reveals both national tensions anda commitment to Britishness, stemming from shared policy interestsand also from wider cultural influences. |
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