Mar 29 2007
Regional government – Yes I mean it!
I want to see all unelected regional government abolished.
The Conservatives will not be abollishing the three elected regional governments in the UK that have been endorsed by referendum, nor the elected tier in Northern Ireland if that is in operation.
The fact that Brussels likes regional government is no argument for keeping this unwanted??layer of government, which has been rejected by the people of the North-east, and would be rejected by others elsewhere if given the chance to vote on it.
There is no Treaty obligaiton or legal requirement to have it – and if there were it would still be necessary to change it.
8 Responses to “Regional government – Yes I mean it!”
John Redwood has been the Member of Parliament for Wokingham since 1987. First attending Kent College, Canterbury, he graduated from Magdalen College...
John
Like you I imagine, I believe in major constitutional change, only when it is the settled and established will of the people. So the case you make for abolition of regional assemblies is compelling.
But might I suggest another referendum on the Welsh assembly. As you will be aware, last time round 25% of people supported it, 25% of people opposed it, and 50% didn’t bother voting. This is hardly the settled and established will of the people.
Experience has shown it has become an expensive talking shop, and a third rate imitation of Westminster.
Give us another referendum, there are many of us, who want to see this costly white elephant swept away.
Again I must stress that I am in full agreement and I can understand why the Party would feel that it would be acting against a declared mandate to abolish those authorities which been extended after a referendum.
I do however have some concerns that although you are very clear that all other regional government would be abolished, that you seem to be ignoring possible consequences from the EU, you say there is no Treaty obligation or legal requirement to have the regions but the Treaty of Niece makes it absolutely clear that the Regions are part of the EU system of governance and sets out conditions yet to be fulfilled for the membership of COR. (members must also have a mandate from the authorities they represent, or be politically accountable to them)
The Treaty of Niece also lists the member numbers for each countries representations in COR.
Subsidiarity is also used as the Constitutional premise for Regional governance in the EU.
The EU Constitution indicates the moves towards greater regional involvement in the EU system
Article I-5 explicitly refers to the recognition of regional and local self-government
as part of the national identities of the member states.
part II (Charter of Fundamental Rights): The preamble specifically recognises the
national identities of Member States and the organisation of their public authorities at
national, regional and local levels.
At present the Constitution is yet to be ratified but the Berlin Declaration
The European Union, the Member States and their regions and local communities share these tasks.
We must continue to renew and update the political shape of Europe. That is why, 50 years after the signing of the Treaties of Rome, we are today agreed on the goal of achieving a renewed common foundation for the European Union before the 2009 elections to the European Parliament.
The COR Declaration for Europe
[...] John Redwood has replied to some comments about abolishing the regions; [...]
It is acknowledged that today, faith in the political process is at a level unacceptable in a “Democracy”
Why? well I think this example shows exactly why. Politicians are supposed to represent the wishes of the people. So any body established which isn’t democratic is anti-democratic.
Today we have the internet as a tool to test public opinion. But look at how government behaves when 2 million people tell it it has got it wrong!
I totally support this wish, and sooner rather than later.
By the way, this blog is an example of good democracy! (Even if you disagree, you can say so! – there are many places in the world where you cannot do that, and the tendancy of our current government bodes ill in that respect too!)
Back to the future – back to democracy!
[...] On 29th March this year, in response to my questions on his blog John Redwood said: [...]
[...] On 29th March this year, in response to my questions on his blog John Redwood said: “I want to see all unelected regional government abolished. The Conservatives will not be abolishing the three elected regional governments in the UK that have been endorsed by referendum, nor the elected tier in Northern Ireland if that is in operation.The fact that Brussels likes regional government is no argument for keeping this unwanted layer of government, which has been rejected by the people of the North-east, and would be rejected by others elsewhere if given the chance to vote on it.There is no Treaty obligaiton or legal requirement to have it – and if there were it would still be necessary to change it.” So it is clear from this that Mr Redwood wants us to belive that all unelected regional government will be abolished
Dear John,
Like you I can’t agree more with the abolition of Regional Assemblies. Not just because they are in a post to which they have not been elected, and some of the people are unelected to start with but for the cost of them. If you want to know the cost have a look at: -
http://www.thelocalchannel.co.uk/community/blogs/regional_assemblies/archive/2007/11/07/housing-policy-built-on-sand.aspx
Post a reply on the blog and let’s get these thing put to bed once and for all.
I would not mind but the north east voted against their regional assembly and not only is it still thre but we all have them.
THis is just the government enforcing policy and ignoring democracy. I for one don’t want to live in a dictartorship!
[...] John Redwood has replied to some comments about abolishing the regions; I want to see all unelected regional government abolished. [...]