Group urges reform of the Barnett Formula

English parliament urged
Oct 20 2004
By The Journal

Dreams of a North-East regional assembly should be ditched in favour of an English parliament if extra money is to be pumped into the region, it will be claimed today.
A new constitutional group is being launched to campaign for an English-only parliament, warning attempts to create elected regional government in the North would fail to bring additional investment or a louder voice.
The English Constitutional Convention has been created by the Campaign for an English Parliament and the English Democratic Party - and demands an overhaul of local government funding instead of the regional assemblies.
By reforming the Barnett formula, which allocates 10pc more cash to Scottish taxpayers than those in the North-East, they argue extra money could be spent on health care, education and development in the region.
However, two senior MPs have hit back saying an English parliament would be too London-centric.
Berwick's Alan Beith and Gateshead's Joyce Quin crossed party divides to join forces in the Yes campaign, saying it was important to give the area a "distinct and united voice.
They said that Scotland, Wales and, more recently, London had developed "political clout" because they have had powerful devolved bodies to speak up for them.