The government has initiated its Pride in Place strategy, aimed at investing in underprivileged communities nationwide. Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed stated that this approach seeks to empower working families in their communities. This strategy aligns with the recent English Devolution and Community Empowerment bill, which addresses community rights, including the ability to purchase properties and automatic designation of sports venues as community assets.
Many view this strategy as Labour’s response to the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s “levelling up” initiative. Keir Starmer, the leader of Labour, noted that the funding aims to revitalize areas marked by neglect, such as vacant shops and deteriorating parks. He emphasized that the government’s measures of success should extend beyond national statistics to include tangible improvements in local communities.
Labour MPs have expressed support for the direct financial investment that will benefit their regions, with funding allocations based on the index of multiple deprivation and community needs index. When discussing the strategy, MPs often highlight the financial contributions to their areas, noting that funds are critical for the implementation of policies.
Organizations like Power to Change and the Co-operative party critique the narrative surrounding the investment, suggesting that Labour’s plans differ from previous funding initiatives due to the broader authority provided alongside the financial support. Caitlin Prowle of the Co-operative party highlighted that this initiative aims to empower communities to shape and own local assets, thus retaining influence even as specific funding may decline.
The strategy is presented as a method to rebuild trust in politics, particularly in areas where Reform UK has gained traction. Reed indicated that this initiative serves as an alternative to divisive politics. The theory behind this approach is twofold: the need for visible local improvements and the goal of fostering political trust that may extend to national levels.
Steve Reed’s previous leadership experience in local government informs this initiative, suggesting a commitment to empowering communities. The success of the strategy will likely hinge on Labour’s capacity to effectively communicate and implement the changes proposed, particularly in the face of competition from Reform UK in local organizing efforts.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/27/labour-pride-in-place-revitalise-high-streets-levelling-up