Bill Revans column: The case for devolution in Wessex

His vision of a Britain where every postcode has potential, where economic growth is driven by empowered regions rather than dictated from the centre, is one that should resonate across the country.

It certainly resonates here in Somerset.

We all expect Burnham to be the next Prime Minister.

“He’s not the Messiah”, someone called out as he was sworn in as a Member of Parliament after his victory in the Makerfield By-election.

He may not be able to walk on water - but we do already have Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset.

For years, local leaders across the South West have been making exactly that argument.

Yet we only have a Strategic Mayoral Authority based on Bristol and the councils around it – The West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

We believe that with the right powers, the right funding flexibility and the right local leadership, all parts of the country can contribute more strongly to national prosperity.

Growth should not be confined to a handful of city regions.

Opportunity should not depend on where you happen to live.

That is why Somerset Council, alongside our partners in Dorset, Wiltshire and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, has been championing a vision for a devolved Wessex under the banner of the Wessex Partnership.

This is not a case built on sentiment or historical identity alone.

It is grounded in economic reality.

Wessex is home to almost two million people and boasts some of the nation's most significant assets.

We are a powerhouse for defence, advanced engineering, food production and clean energy.

We host an international airport, major ports, three universities, the UK's first new nuclear power station in a generation and the country's first large-scale battery gigafactory.

Our world-renowned landscapes, heritage and tourist attractions welcome millions of visitors every year.

In short, Wessex is a region of enormous strategic importance to the United Kingdom.

Yet despite all this, it remains one of the largest parts of England without access to the devolved powers and funding opportunities now available to many other regions.

Remarkably, it is also the only area that already benefits from fully unitary local government but still lacks a place in the national devolution framework.

That gap matters.

Devolution is not simply about governance structures or political rearrangements.

Done properly, it is about creating the conditions for long-term economic success.

It provides regions with the tools to shape transport, skills, housing and economic development around local needs and opportunities.

It gives communities a stronger voice and a greater ability to attract investment.

The evidence from places such as Greater Manchester demonstrates what can be achieved when regions are trusted with responsibility and empowered to lead their own futures.

The challenge facing Wessex is not a lack of ambition.

Our councils have come together around a shared geography, a shared set of priorities and a shared vision for growth.

We have repeatedly made the case for devolution because we know the opportunities it could unlock.

But this is also about fairness.

The popular perception of the South West is often one of affluence and prosperity.

The reality is far more complex.

Across Somerset and the wider Wessex region, there are communities facing deep and persistent deprivation.

Too many people experience low wages, poor connectivity and limited opportunities.

Rural, coastal, and urban communities alike can feel overlooked by decisions made far away.

The people facing those challenges deserve the same commitment to renewal and regeneration that has rightly been championed elsewhere in the country.

A Mayoral Strategic Authority for Wessex would provide a catalyst for that renewal.

It would help unlock inclusive economic growth, allow us to better coordinate investment and strengthen our contribution to the UK's national economic mission.

We are not asking for special treatment.

We are simply asking for the same opportunity that other regions have already been given.

For too long, the South West has been treated as if its potential will somehow realise itself without the tools afforded to others.

That approach risks leaving communities behind and holding back economic growth that would benefit the entire country.

The case for Wessex devolution is ultimately very simple.

One of England's most historic regions should be allowed to play its full part in shaping the nation's future.

The Devon councils have already expressed their view that they want a Devon mayor.

WECA already has its mayor.

For Somerset, the only way is Wessex.

Wessex is ambitious.

Wessex is united.

Wessex is ready.