BLAIR'S DICTATOSHIP ATTACKS LOCAL DEMOCRACY (14/05/02)

The Regions White Paper published 9 May states that Regional Assemblies will have powers to raise local taxes.

Cllr John Smeaton, Conservative Group leader commented, ‘the restructuring of local government will cost South West taxpayers about £35 million annually in bureaucracy alone. This is money that could be spent on more schools, cutting waiting lists, or establishing more nursing homes.

'Each year at budget time the County Council plead for extra funding from central government for our basic services, to be told that none is available, but they are able to find an extra £35 million to fund John Prescott’s centralist aspirations.

‘With only 25 elected members representing the whole of the South West, this planned assembly represents the abolition of local democracy. To fill the other fifty or so seats the government will stuff it with their appointees. Quangos will replace elected councils. They will not be accountable.

‘This paper is not about devolution. It is the exact opposite. Genuine decentralisation should take power away from Westminster and place more responsibility and control in local government. However, the Regional Assemblies take their control from existing local councils. Their duties will be those already carried out by county councils, such as transport, waste and planning.

‘Regional Assemblies are devolution in reverse. They are a way of centralising power away from the County and towards Westminster. Blair is the most presidential Prime Minister this country has seen. This paper is grossly dishonest and should be seen as the sly deception that it is.'

Our three Conservative MPs are united in fighting this threat to local authorities which is proposed by Labour and supported by the Liberal Democrats.

Adrian Flook MP for Taunton, said, 'England already has enough politicians. New talking shops will not boost economic growth, or help the vulnerable, in Somerset.'