Regions are back on the agenda Regional government, in a second Blair term, seems very much back on the agenda - having been kicked into touch early in this parliament, writes Dennis Reed . Come the devolution In his role as Labour strategist, Peter Mandelson made 'neighbourhood empowerment' in order to reverse urban disintegration one of the party's big ideas for a second term. Its elements are being put in place. Assemblies all round John Prescott is evangelical. The prime minister is sceptical.
Some ministers are enthusiastic.
But most are agnostic. Until recently, when the subject of English regional devolution was raised in the loftiest political meetings, support was at best tentative.