Welcome to the Beyond Localism Substack
An introduction to the newsletter and what it aims to do
What’s with the name?
Firstly, I’m a localist. I think many of our biggest challenges can be solved by action at the local and neighbourhood level, with the right powers, funding and support. I think this is particularly important in an age where the national state has a lot on its plate - from an unstable geopolitical order to the transition to net zero (though more on this later). There simply isn’t the capacity for the central state to do as much as it tries to do at the moment, nevermind doing this well. So, this newsletter will broadly cover politics and policy from a localist perspective. But what about the ‘beyond’? The Substack will also explore localism’s limits. I believe in the power of the national state, particularly when it is an enabling state. I’ll look at the balance required between national and local intervention, across different issues and policy areas.
Second, it’s an expression of something I’ve wanted to do for some time - write on a wider range of topics than the day job allows. I’ve worked in policy jobs for charities and think tanks my whole career. This has provided me space to think and write about lots of interesting stuff - from integration and cohesion to public service reform, but there’s a whole world of policy and politics out there. For the past six years or so, I’ve been working with the growing community power movement - an agenda which is going from strength to strength. But this is one particular strand of localism. I’m hoping to cover bigger ideas and issues - from meritocracy and the retreat of globalisation to the rentier economy and the role of trust in successful societies.
What are the other motivations for doing this?
My Churchill Fellowship travels are another big motivation. It feels an age ago that I applied to the scheme - which supports British citizens to travel and learn from thinkers and practitioners across the world, and share insights back at home after their travels. I had planned to travel in 2020 and then everything was put on hold. I’ve finally managed to get my act together, now travel is back to normal, and will be visiting the USA this summer. So, for the first few months, the newsletter will be something of a travelogue.
The Churchill Fellowship project will look at the role local approaches to economics play in building a more self-sustaining future within environmental limits. I guess this is indicative of the sort of approach the Substack will take over time. Net zero is typically thought of as a challenge for national governments and international institutions. Of course, there will need to be action at these levels if we are to make the transition away from fossil fuels at the speed we need to. But there is also a future where a more localised economy and country means that this transition is easier. I’ll be digging into this with community leaders, thinkers and policymakers in the US in June and July and using the Substack to share what I’m learning.
What’s next?
I’m planning on sharing a personal piece soon looking at the factors which have shaped my thinking to date. From there, it’ll be learning from the Churchill Fellowship in June and July and then onto some of the bigger pieces mentioned above, once I return to the UK. I hope to fall into a rhythm of roughly two pieces a month.