Georgina Blakeley is Director of Teaching and Learning at the University of HuddersfieldBrendan Evans is Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of Huddersfield

Shortlisted for the PSA WJM Mackenzie Book Prize 2025'Overall, this is an excellent book that makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of devolved governance in England. It is essential reading for those interested in the evolution of local governance and devolution in England, central-local relations and territorial politics more widely. The analysis underlines the validity of the much-quoted dictum, ‘devolution is a process, not an event’. I very much look forward to volume two on the second mayoral terms.'Paul Anderson, Regional & Federal Studies

• 1 Introduction2 The missing middle3 Defining the office4 Economic development and inclusive growth5 Transport policy6 Skills policy7 Public services reform and health and social care8 Housing, spatial strategies and rough sleeping9 The environment10 Who Governs in Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region?11 Doing politics differently12 Whither (what) devolution?Index

Georgina Blakeley is Director of Teaching and Learning at the University of HuddersfieldBrendan Evans is Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of Huddersfield

Shortlisted for the PSA WJM Mackenzie Book Prize 2025'Overall, this is an excellent book that makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of devolved governance in England. It is essential reading for those interested in the evolution of local governance and devolution in England, central-local relations and territorial politics more widely. The analysis underlines the validity of the much-quoted dictum, ‘devolution is a process, not an event’. I very much look forward to volume two on the second mayoral terms.'Paul Anderson, Regional & Federal Studies

• 1 Introduction2 The missing middle3 Defining the office4 Economic development and inclusive growth5 Transport policy6 Skills policy7 Public services reform and health and social care8 Housing, spatial strategies and rough sleeping9 The environment10 Who Governs in Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region?11 Doing politics differently12 Whither (what) devolution?Index

Georgina Blakeley is Director of Teaching and Learning at the University of HuddersfieldBrendan Evans is Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of Huddersfield

Shortlisted for the PSA WJM Mackenzie Book Prize 2025'Overall, this is an excellent book that makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of devolved governance in England. It is essential reading for those interested in the evolution of local governance and devolution in England, central-local relations and territorial politics more widely. The analysis underlines the validity of the much-quoted dictum, ‘devolution is a process, not an event’. I very much look forward to volume two on the second mayoral terms.'Paul Anderson, Regional & Federal Studies

• 1 Introduction2 The missing middle3 Defining the office4 Economic development and inclusive growth5 Transport policy6 Skills policy7 Public services reform and health and social care8 Housing, spatial strategies and rough sleeping9 The environment10 Who Governs in Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region?11 Doing politics differently12 Whither (what) devolution?Index