Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has launched a ‘constitutional commission’ to look at transferring more powers from Westminster to local leaders.

Sir Keir said the aim was to devolve ‘power, wealth and opportunity to the most local level’.

The commission, to be led by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, will ‘hear from and work with’ mayors and council leaders.

Sir Keir said: ‘Too often the UK Government’s approach has been to pit council against council, town against town, city against city, mayor against mayor.

‘It’s no surprise that the many local leaders I’ve spoken to have felt distanced and ignored on decisions that have had huge consequences on people’s jobs, lives and their communities.’

Senior director at the Electoral Reform Society campaign group, Willie Sullivan, said: ‘The Labour leader has laid down a challenge, and the Prime Minister should use this chance to genuinely level up Britain - reforming Westminster, moving power out of the centre and into communities.’

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