Liberal Party Chairman calls for a No vote

Cllr Steve Radford
Chairman of The Liberal Party
41 Sutton Street
Liverpool
L13 7EG
0151 259 5935

For Publication

Dear Editor,

We in The Liberal Party have had the longest commitment to devolution of any party, Therefore it may come as a surprise to many that ,across the three northern regions, we have been advocating a no vote

Why?

The White Paper makes it clear that an elected Regional Assembly will have few real powers.

What is on offer in nothing like Scottish or Welsh devolution.

Lord Rooker stated that there will be no more power or money!

However power will be taken from existing councils (planning, transport, fire and possibly police) and put in the hands of an even more remote assembly

The Government literature says the assembly is to be elected by Proportional Representation.

This is blatantly untrue, two thirds of the seats will be elected by first past the post in mega constituencies.

One Assembly member for a constituency of 100,000 will undermine any sense of accountability

If readers believe in devolving power and strengthening local government, the conclusion must be an overwhelmimg NO vote,
Cllr Steve Radford
Chairman of The Liberal Party