THE Government's plan for regional devolution is a giant step towards eradicating the North/South divide and bringing democracy closer to the people of the North-west.
There are seven million people in the North-west, yet only five million in Scotland (which has its own Parliament) and one-and-a-half million in Wales (which has its own Assembly).
The people of the North-west are either governed straight from London or by unelected and unaccountable Quangos in the region. Yet 72 per cent of people think regional government is a good idea.
Once again, however, the Conservatives are on the wrong side of a winning argument.
As usual, the Tories say they are completely opposed to the idea. But I'll bet they stand for any new Assembly and take up their seats.
Do they seriously think that decisions taken in Whitehall are preferable to decisions taken in the North-west, by the North-west for the North-west?
A Regional Assembly, given limited powers like promoting economic development, integrated transport and environmental protection, will be of real benefit to everyone in the region. There is a real job to do. A North-west Assembly will be a workshop, not a talking shop.
As far as I'm concerned, the referendum can't come soon enough.
Kevin Meagher
Hereford Crescent
Little Lever, Bolton
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