REGIONAL GOVERNMENT CREEPS NEARER (26/11/02)

The Bill to allow for referendums that will pave the way for regional assemblies will go before the House of Commons today.

This is the first of two pieces of primary legislation, which will give effect to the Government's plans for regional assemblies.

Once at least one region has voted for an assembly, the Government intends to introduce a further Bill enabling assemblies to be set up.

Adrian Flook, Conservative MP for Taunton said, "I am particularly concerned about the implications for Somerset County Council and especially for Taunton as the vote for a Regional Assembly will mean the demise of one and the loss of local authority jobs for the other.The Government is unwilling and unable to tell anyone what Regional Government will mean in principle throughout England, let alone in practice for Somerset."

John Smeaton, leader of the Conservative Group on Somerset County Council, said,‘Regional government is all about creating more politicians and will not result in one extra nurse, teacher or police officer.The money wasted by this Government on pushing forward their agenda on regionalism would be better spent on improving our public services and tackling crime.

‘We do not need talking shops.We need a Government that is strong enough to take a step back and trust people to run their own lives.Distant regional quangos will not reduce Westminster’s power.But by strengthening local councils we can strengthen democracy.’

ENDS