GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS FOR REGIONAL DEMOCRACY ARE HALF MEASURES

26.11.02

Edward Davey MP, Liberal Democrat ODPM Shadow, commenting ahead of today's Regional Assemblies Bill, said:

"Britain already has regional government, but it is unaccountable and undemocratic.

"Regional assemblies would reduce bureaucracy and end the tyranny of quangos. Genuine regional power would tackle the quagmire of agencies, programmes, schemes and strategies that weigh down regional government at present.

"Government proposals for regional democracy are weak, half measures. Whitehall must be cut down to size with more of its powers devolved to the regions. Otherwise the assemblies run the risk of being mere talking shops.

"Foolishly, the Government has linked the question of regional assemblies with local government reform which confuses two separate issues and may weaken the case for regional government in future referendums.

"The Conservatives do not want this debate on regional government, probably because they established most of the current quangos. The Conservatives'real objection appears to be to democracy."