The launch this morning of the manifesto for devolution by think tank Respublica is an ideal time to challenge those of us who are willing to consider such ideas that if our devolution is to be effective, we need to find mechanisms for devolving power to rural communities as well as the large cities in the North and even here in the South. During the last decade city regions as a concept was debated by the Government of the day and I was in a position as a leading member of the South East England Regional Assembly to try to articulate the need for market town regions. I was proud to do this alongside a good friend, Michael Chater who was a key player amongst the leaders of the most local parts of Local Government. The current thinking from Respublica is a later iteration of the city regions idea and as the policy is debated as the dust from the election debates begins to settle, we need to consider how we will make this approach fit for our smaller towns and villages. Arguably some of this has begun with greater powers on offer to town and parish councils compared to a decade ago. The vital work carried out by NALC (National Association of Local Councils) and their ideas for the future must be promoted alongside todays manifesto. We desperately need devolution in this country, but it cannot be limited to larger cities and their regions.