Abstract
This paper uses Social Contract Theory to (re) examine attempts to establish leadership roles in the East Midlands, Corby, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire between 1998 and 2015. In doing so, it makes a unique contribution to the study of place leadership by drawing on classical political theory to explore a contemporary issue in regional debate. To do this, the paper explores three stages of leadership development in the East Midlands of England, cutting across scale and place to argue that in order to establish and embed a contract with the locality leaders must take into account both the territorial and relational characteristics of their place. Where the territory had little cohesion, or did not cover a single area of economic functionality it was difficult to establish, or justify, leadership roles in those territories. In areas of economic functionality leadership required the involvement of the Local Government to demonstrate the legitimacy of the contract on offer.
Highlights
This paper explores attempts to establish leadership roles in the economy of the East Midlands of England (See Map below) and its constituent parts over a period of 17 years (1998 – 2015)
The evidence from the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire concerning leadership suggests that they are in a better position to provide leadership than the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) was due in the main to the fact that they cover single areas of economic functionality. In both cases more needs to be done to fully embed the leadership roles of the various agencies that operate within the Counties but it is clear, especially in the case of Leicestershire, that there is an acceptance that Local Government has a leadership role to play
Social Contract Theory offers a useful lens through which to draw out lessons on leadership of place and, crucially, engagement with that leadership
Summary
This paper explores attempts to establish leadership roles in the economy of the East Midlands of England (See Map below) and its constituent parts over a period of 17 years (1998 – 2015). This paper seeks to establish what those conditions where in an effort to make the lessons drawn from the East Midlands applicable to other regions To do so it will fuse political theory and regional studies and in doing so seeks to address perennial issues of engagement with sub-national governance in England. The main reason behind this difference in outcomes was the role played by local leaders from local government in driving the agenda in their areas and being able to demonstrate the advantages of engaging in governance to their local populations In both Corby and Leicestershire private sector involvement was greater than at the regional tier and in both areas respondents from the private sector attributed this to the role of the political leadership in their areas. At a time when the focus in policy debates have shifted further to the local from the regional a more formal role for local government may be welcome, there are issues regarding identifying potential local leaders and keeping them in the local sphere long enough to have an impact that need to be addressed
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