Labour leader pledges ‘Take Back Control’ bill to devolve power out of Westminster

A Labour government would introduce a Take Back Control Bill to devolve power away from Westminster and spread prosperity across the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer has announced. 

Delivering his first major speech of 2023, the Labour leader accused the Tories of engaging in “sticking plaster politics” as he called for a focus on delivering long-term fixes to the nation’s problems. 

He promised a “new approach to politics and democracy” as part of a “decade of national renewal” as he attempted to take ownership of the famous “Take Back Control” Brexit slogan. 

Sir Keir said it was “not unreasonable for us to recognise the desire for communities to stand on their own feet” and that is “what Take Back Control meant”. 

He said Labour would “embrace the Take Back Control message” and “spread control out of Westminster” by devolving new powers.

Speaking in east London, he said: “All this will be in a new ‘Take Back Control’ Bill – a centrepiece of our first King’s speech. A Bill that will deliver on the demand for a new Britain. A new approach to politics and democracy. A new approach to growth and our economy.”

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