AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
The New Statesman | UK politics and culture
The rise of the "super-council" - plus, assisted dying interview with Kim Leadbeater
Feb 14, 2025
Rachel Cunliffe, Associate Political Editor for the New Statesman, and Megan Kenyon, a Policy Correspondent known for her insightful reporting, join to discuss significant local council changes in the UK. They delve into claims that the merging of councils, dubbed 'super-councils,' could undermine democracy and voters’ rights. Additionally, Megan interviews Kim Leadbeater about the pressing topic of assisted dying legislation, addressing safeguards and the balance between choice and coercion in this sensitive debate.
28:13
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The postponement of local elections for nine councils highlights concerns over democratic input and potential political manipulation favoring Labour.
- The debates surrounding the Assisted Dying Bill reveal significant tensions between legislative progress and the protection of vulnerable individuals' rights.
Deep dives
Local Council Elections and Devolution Plans
The decision to postpone local elections for nine councils is primarily driven by new devolution plans which aim to merge district and county councils into unitary authorities. This is intended to streamline local governance and provide more power at a local level, but many residents feel disenfranchised as their councils opted for these changes without direct input from the community. Though local councils applied for the change, the perception remains that residents were not adequately consulted. The effectiveness of such unitary authorities remains uncertain, as past reorganizations have led to financial difficulties in some regions.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode