Mike Parry and Stephen Pound were embroiled in a furious row on GB News over Labour’s agenda after they were set out by King Charles at the State Opening of Parliament.
One hot topic was devolution, with the pair very much at odds on the matter.
While Parry felt more autonomy should not be dished out to local authorities, ex-Labour MP Stephen Pound was insistent that it is the most effective way to govern.
It comes after Labour promised a ‘devolution revolution’ with a new bill which includes sweeping plans on housebuilding, green energy and crime.
Mike Parry and Stephen Pound clashed on GB News
GB NEWS
“If you’re pushing out devolution, you are expanding the state”, fumed Parry.
“The whole of the speech, just a few days ago Keir Starmer was saying they will tread lightly on our lives. Are you joking?
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King Charles presided over the State Opening of Parliament this morning PA“They have announced possibly millions of new jobs in civil servant type roles. If you are pushing out devolution, you are expanding the state.
“He said only a few weeks ago they will tread more lightly on our lives. No they won’t. The Green Energy bill is just there to achieve a mad target of net zero by 2030.
“I have never seen a King’s Speech with so many bills that involve so much spending, so many more people working for the state and more freedoms being taken off the individual.”
Pound said Parry had not interpreted the plans correctly.
The new policies were discussed on GB News
GB NEWS
“When you’re talking about devolving powers, you’re not talking about creating whole new structures all over the country”, he said.
“You’re talking about moving civil servants either out of their jobs or away.”
Parry responded by giving a case example, citing Wales, asking whether the country “needs anymore autonomy”.
“It’s the worst run country in Europe”, he added.
The ex-Labour MP hit back to argue that an area not being well run is more reason to have more powers devolved.
“We are the most centralised country in Europe”, he said.
“As far as I am concerned, the more autonomy we can give to local people, the better.
“Less bureaucracy, no longer the man in Whitehall knowing best, but you, in Epsom, knowing what is best for Epsom.”