Accountability and regional governance. The emerging role of regional chambers in England

Abstract

This article looks at the emerging role of the regional chambers in England. Ostensibly acting as the first step towards elected regional government, these new partnerships have become an integral part of New Labour's pragmatic approach to English regionalisation. Providing a counterweight to the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), regional chambers are intended to provide an inclusive forum for the various local and regional stakeholder interests. The remit of these voluntary bodies will include monitoring the activities of the RDAs and providing strategic input into a range of regional policy initiatives. Focusing on developments in two English regions, the article considers whether regional chambers will be able to compensate for the democratic deficit that has long been an intrinsic part of the regional state apparatus in England.