Dear

WE CANNOT GO BACK – Local governance in Sheffield English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

As your constituent I am writing to you about the government’s plan in Section 57 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. This will:
   * Overturn the democratic will of the people of Sheffield that was clearly expressed in our city-wide local governance referendum of May 2021;
   * Force Sheffield City council to adopt the exact model of local governance that we as local citizens resoundingly rejected in a democratic vote;
   * Break the statutory promise that our democratic decision would stand for at least ten years from 2021 (and then any further change would also have to be enacted by referendum);
   * Remove the legal right and power that was secured by Sheffield citizens and communities, to decide how our council works.

No other city (or council area) is impacted by the government’s plans quite like Sheffield is. We are the ONLY city or council in the country to have democratically rejected the very system the government now wants to force councils to adopt. The Leader & Cabinet system dramatically failed our city (eg the street tree scandal). Sheffield’s referendum was secured by citizens & communities themselves, not given by our council. We voted resoundingly to reject ‘strong leader’ governance – by 65% to 35% – and for change to a modern committee system where all our councillors have the formal power to play a public role in city decision-making, not just the chosen few.

In his announcement about the Bill, the Minister Jim McMahon MP talks about “putting power in the hands of local people, where it belongs.” This is quite outrageous when the plans for Sheffield do precisely the opposite. If enacted in Sheffield, they would be an act of democratic vandalism.

As my Sheffield MP, I ask that you act with urgency – the second reading of the Bill in Parliament is on 2nd September. I request that you:
   * Make representations to the Minister that government must respect the will of the people of Sheffield, honour its legal obligations, and provide an exemption for Sheffield.
   * Take part in the debate at the second reading of the Bill on 2nd September 2025, to alert Parliament to the removal of democratic rights in the Bill, the unique position of Sheffield in this respect, and the democratic injustice, risks and implications of Section 57 for our city.
   * Actively inform other MPs about Sheffield’s unique situation and why the government plan to force the city back to ‘strong leader’ Leader and Cabinet governance cannot go ahead.
   * Support local campaigners defending our democratic rights as a city and so that these are respected in the Bill going forward.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and consider my concerns. I hope you will fight for the democratic will of Sheffield voters to be respected.

Yours sincerely

Name & address