I voted for devolution, because I fear the age of isolationism'

The two councils on which I serve as leader of the Independent Groups, and five other councils, have all voted on whether or not to endorse the Cambridgeshire-Peterborough devolution deal.

The deal sets up a new Combined Authority for infrastructure, transport, housing and skills training. To pull off the deal with Government we have to accept a directly elected mayor.

I voted for the deal for one principal reason. In the wake of the Brexit decision and the election of Donald Trump I am fearful that we are entering an age of intolerance and isolationism. One of the reasons for the ascendancy of the extremists is that ‘old order’ politicians have for too long mouthed the virtues of justice and equality but done precious little to bring them about. They have preferred to blame globalisation for growing inequality, low incomes and the lack of affordable homes. Austerity has also hit the poor hardest while the well-off have hardly suffered and the rich have prospered.

I think it is time to narrow the gap between rich and poor, the well-educated and the poorly educated, the people in good jobs and the people in lousy jobs. On this basis I backed the devolution deal. It will put £70 million into the city council’s coffers to build 500 homes for families who cannot afford market rents. Add to this a further £100 million for low-cost housing in the rest of the region and in total the funding on offer will go a fair way to confronting the housing crisis in our part of the world. There is money too to beef up training so that more young people acquire the skills that will offer them better paid and more satisfying jobs. There is also prominent mention (though no assurance as yet) of a Wisbech to Cambridge rail connection and a similar promise of greater powers given to the new authority to commission and regulate bus services, particularly in rural areas. These measures will give Fenland a better chance of overcoming years of neglect and deprivation.

Inequality is a global problem but there is no single global solution. Each of us in our own small way and in our own locality must do what we can to reduce it. Here in Cambridgeshire we have a rare opportunity to help make life better for people at the bottom of the pile. And that’s why I voted for devolution.