CONSERVATIVES DEMAND DISSOLUTION OF SOUTH WEST REGIONAL ASSEMBLY (19/01/05)

At today’s meeting of Full Council, the Conservatives presented a motion demanding the disbandment of the South West Regional Assembly. The Liberal Democrats refused to condemn this expensive, unwanted and undemocratic body and voted against the motion.

The South West Regional Assembly costs more than any other Regional Chamber in the country – over £4 million in 2003-04.

Leader of the Conservative Group, Christopher Wolverson said, “We Conservatives are determined to put a stop to the waste of taxpayers’ money on fat government and unnecessary bureaucracy. I am disappointed, but not surprised, that the Liberal Democrats did not take this opportunity to call on the Labour Government to get rid of this, the most expensive talking shop in England.”

The Conservatives have consistently opposed unnecessary regional government, unlike the Liberal Democrats: “No ifs, no buts; we back regional government” – Don Foster, Liberal Democrat Spokesman.

Christopher Wolverson continued, “We now demand that the Government dismantle this unelected, unaccountable regional chamber and return the powers back to local, elected councils.”

All three Somerset Conservative MPs joined Christopher Wolverson in condemning the Regional Assembly.

The Right Honourable David Heathcoat-Amory, MP for Wells said, “The North East referendum proved that people do not want another expensive tier of government, taking powers from existing local authorities. The South West Regional Assembly should be put out of its misery by a humane dissolution before it meets a similar fate.”

Adrian Flook, MP for Taunton said, “The Regional Assembly is unloved and out of touch with what Somerset needs. Disbanding it cannot happen soon enough."

Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater said, “If the North East Vote told you anything it is that Regional Assemblies are not needed, not wanted and not affordable.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact Christopher Wolverson, Leader of the Conservative Group, Somerset County Council, 01823 430628

Notes

1. The text of the Motion presented to Council by Christopher Wolverson

“In view of the overwhelming rejection of the Government’s proposals for an elected Regional Assembly by the voters in the North East Referendum, this Council calls on the Government to disband the unelected South West Regional Assembly forthwith and to return its powers and responsibilities to the elected representatives at the Local Authority level.”