In its first King's Speech, the Labour government said that "greater devolution of decision making is at the heart of a modern dynamic economy and is a key driver of economic growth." Historically, why has the UK been so insistent on hoarding power centrally? And what's the potential in Westminster giving away power? With Tony Travers (LSE), Sarah Longlands (IPPR North) and Neil McInroy (The Centre for Local Economic Strategies)

LABOUR'S FIRST MOVES: Keir Starmer Gives Away Power

Ed has departed for government, and Geoff is left as custodian&nbsp;of the archive. As the Labour government makes its first raft of announcements and appointments, we delve into our back catalogue to find the ideas which might have influenced them.&nbsp; In this episode, we look at Rachel Reeves' announcement of the National Wealth Fund. What are public wealth funds? What different forms can they take? What are the potential benefits to our&nbsp;country? We revisit our episode&nbsp;Investment for the People&nbsp;from October 2022. First, we get the beginner's guide from&nbsp;UCL Associate Professor Josh Ryan-Collins. Then we hear from Professor&nbsp;Karin Thorburn about Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, which (due to specific historical circumstances) is very different to the one proposed for the UK, but illustrates how a public&nbsp;wealth fund could transform the way we finance Government spending.&nbsp; More info<a href="https://www.nbim.no/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund</a><a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/public-purpose/publications/2020/nov/public-wealth-funds-supporting-economic-recovery-and-sustainable-growth-0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UCL IIPP Report on Public Wealth Funds</a> GuestsJosh Ryan-Collins, Associate Professor in Economics and Finance, UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (<a href="https://twitter.com/jryancollins" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@jryancollins</a>) (<a href="https://twitter.com/IIPP_UCL" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@IIPP_UCL</a>)Karin Thorburn, Professor of Finance, Norwegian School of Economics (<a href="https://twitter.com/karinsthorburn" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@karinsthorburn</a>) (<a href="https://twitter.com/NHHnor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@NHHnor</a>)

LABOUR'S FIRST MOVES: Rachel Reeves' National Wealth Fund

The day is upon us. Maybe. In the words of the late Teddy Kennedy (uncle of Robert F. Junior, and real-life inspiration for Kendall Roy): "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." Thank you for keeping us cheerful. Email our sporadically monitored inbox: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com Full text of Ted Kennedy's 1980 Democratic National Concession address: https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/tedkennedy1980dnc.htm

ED & GEOFF HAVE LEFT THE CHATTEROO

We're giving you an extra 24 hours to don a black armband and stock up on Kleenex, as the Chatteroo approaches its final destination.

TOMORROW: THE CHATTEROO STOPS HERE

From Highland Park, Illinois, we're joined by our cicada correspondent, who's keeping watch for the first dual emergence in 221 years. Plus, we find out more about this phenomenon with entomologist Professor Dave Bilton. Bigger than the beetles - more about Dave: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/david-bilton Emerge in the Chatteroo inbox: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com

CHATTEROO #25 - Cicada Ardor 

Lauren Child (former Children's Laureate/creator of Charlie &amp; Lola, Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort) joins the Chatteroo. Buy Lauren's new Clarice Bean book, 'Smile': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/smile-lauren-child/7462273?ean=9780008285548

CHATTEROO #24 - with Lauren Child

Political economist and writer, Will Hutton joins the Chatteroo to talk about his new book, 'This Time No Mistakes: How to Remake Britain', and its parallels with his mid-90s bestseller, 'The State We're In'. Buy Will's book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/this-time-no-mistakes-9781804549407/Email us: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com

CHATTEROO #23 WILL HUTTON - This Time No Mistakes

Vegetarian escalope at the Paris Olympics, energy nerds, The Boring Phone, Mid TV and your correspondence. Join the Chatteroo! Email us with thoughts, questions and any fodder: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com

CHATTEROO #22

Just in time for St George's Day, former Mili-gang members Marc Stears &amp; Tom Baldwin join the Chatteroo to talk about their excellent new book 'England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country - And How To Set Them Straight' Treat yourself to a copy - you deserve it! https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/england-9781526646231/Email us: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com

CHATTEROO #21 England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country -  And How To Set Them Straight

An occasional series revisiting conversations and ideas from Reasons to be Cheerful (2017-2024), formerly hosted by ex-Labour&nbsp;Party leader&nbsp;Ed&nbsp;Miliband, and Sony Award-winning radio presenter Geoff Lloyd.

Reasons Revisited

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