Conspiracy over Stitch-up Grows

21st September 2004
Observations from this month's Sovereignty
But why would the Government rig it so blatantly at that stage?Necessity.... Prescott had to cancel his other regional referendums (mainly for fear of heavy defeat) but to retain whatever crediblity he imagines he still has, he had to continue with at least one.

With regard to cheating Blair's Cabinet could not risk waiting till later, because there was a highly credible and effective "No" group -- North East No -- already campaigning against the government's plan for the effective dismemberment of England, and they feared that their "Yes" campaign, despite its numerous avenues of access to State funding, would also face formidable opposition from Labour Party MPs and experienced local Labour activists opposed to the regional parliament, either acting independently or in alliance with the genuinely non-party North East No campaign.

By appointing North East Says No, so obviously a Conservative Party front window-dressed with a (very) few UKIP dilletantes, the government would make it exceedingly difficult for its own party members to oppose the plan, as they could then be portrayed as supporting a rival party. And in any case, as mentioned above, that government-appointed (how else could it be described?) official "No" campaign just happens to be headed by people who are in all but official name "Yes" supporters!

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